TECH BOOST PROGRAM

Now accepting applications for pre-acceleration (September – December 2021)

Are you an early-stage entrepreneur with an innovative product or service that leverages technology? Are you looking for ways to boost your business and seeking for investment opportunities to finance your startup idea? We have news for you!

We have teamed up with one of Europe’s top accelerators, Startup Wise Guys, along with the lead Canada-based incubator, accelerator, and advisory firm Spring Activator to bring startups from the region an educational set designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs and help them scale.

Powered by the EFSE Entrepreneurship Academy and supported by EU, the entire Tech Boost series consists of pre-acceleration and acceleration phases. The program offers a chance for a startup to enter acceleration phase and win an award of €15.000. But that’s not where this journey ends! Startups who get to be chosen for the acceleration phase have the opportunity to pitch to investors and secure much bigger investment funds for their businesses.

Applications for the TECH BOOST
PRE-ACCELERATION (September – December 2021) are now open!

All entrepreneurs with early-stage technology businesses (such as CleanTech, HealthTech, AgriTech…) are eligible to apply. Unsure if you’re a tech business? Scroll down for further eligibility info.

What is Tech Boost Pre-acceleration?

Tech Boost Pre-acceleration is a 10-week program powered by Startup Wise Guys to empower early-stage tech entrepreneurs with the knowledge and experience to take their businesses to the next level. So far, two Tech Boost pre-accelerators have been successfully implemented in the Western Balkans.

What you will get:

  • Access to SWG’s online platform for startup development with training materials delivered by top European and international startup mentors
  • Participation in a series of workshops tailor-made for program participants
  • The chance to meet successful European startups and hear about their experiences
  • Intensive mentorship support from local and international mentors
  • Practical takeaways from weekly challenges such as a new pitch deck and customer discovery insights

What you will learn:

  • Company-building basics such as values and metrics
  • Defining your business goals and building a product development plan
  • Defining your customer persona
  • Sales and lead generation techniques
  • Crafting a successful pitch and building relationships with investors
  • Legal basics

OPPORTUNITIES AFTER TECH BOOST
PRE-ACCELERATION

Get the chance to be a part of the first regional accelerator and to win
€15.000 to grow your business!

Apply and compete for a much bigger investment opportunity!

Upon completion of Tech Boost Pre-acceleration, the 12 best-rated startups from the Western Balkan region will be invited to be a part of the very first regional Tech Boost Stars Accelerator (January–May 2022) powered by Spring Activator, and implemented in cooperation with the Startup Wise Guys.

There are two things that this program insures to Tech Boost Stars, that you don’t want to miss:

  • Tech Boost Stars will not only dive deeper into more advanced phases of business development with additional training, a pitch bootcamp, and personalized advisory, mentoring. They will be lucky enough to compete for a bigger investment opportunity their startup needs for further scaling.

  • Tech Boost Stars Accelerator will culminate in a regional pitching competition „Pitch Balkans“ where entrepreneurs will demo their businesses to investors for a chance to win a secured award of €15.000. This competition will give all participating startups valuable exposure to key players (e.g. local and regional investors, business angels etc.) in the industry and the potential of easier access to international markets.

*In order for a startup to be able to be selected from among 12 participants for the first regional accelerator, it is necessary that it has previously completed the Tech Boost pre-acceleration program.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR TECH BOOST PRE-ACCELERATION?

Applicants must fulfill ONE of the following:

  • Have already developed a concept of their idea or an MVP (minimum viable product)
  • Already have a product in the market
  • Will launch their product within the next 6 months

Your company DOES NOT need to be registered yet.

Tech startups are considered as the following:

  • You have a product or service that somehow uses technology, not limited to IT
  • You can be any tech: example industries include CleanTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, Urban Tech, FinTech…
  • If you’re not sure whether your startup is Tech, simply ask us whether you are eligible to apply.

A tech startup is a company working with a purpose of bringing technology products or services to market to solve a problem.

Apply for Tech Boost Program 2021