Scale-up Champions launches call for mentors to join its first investment readiness program

The Investment Readiness Program consists of a set of training activities and networking events to increase the fundraising capacity of a set of pre-selected startups and to connect entrepreneurs, corporates, mentors and investors.

Participating mentors will have the chance to improve their own knowledge and skills while being the first to know the latest cutting-edge projects on deep tech.

Scale-up Champions has launched a call for mentors willing to join its first Investment Readiness Program and contribute to shape and boost the deep tech startups ecosystem.  

The Investment Readiness Program is an initiative that consists of a set of training activities and networking events for a batch of pre-selected startups working in deep tech, which has two main objectives: on the one hand, it seeks to increase the fundraising capacity of the startups participating by providing them with tools and training; on the other hand, it aims to connect entrepreneurs, corporates, mentors and investors to build sustainable partnerships and create new market opportunities.

Applications will be open until 1 September for experienced entrepreneurs, investors, accelerator leaders, academics, and professionals with experience in entrepreneurship willing to share their knowledge and expertise, and to act as guides and role models for other entrepreneurs. Those participating will have the opportunity to expand their own knowledge and skills while helping others to develop their businesses and contributing to unlock the full potential of the deep tech startup ecosystem. Likewise, they will be the first ones to discover a batch of disruptive startups, they will gain valuable market insights, and they will become part of an international network of entrepreneurs, investors and corporates with whom they can exchange ideas and investment opportunities.

“We are very excited to launch this call”, said Anna Torz, Scale-up Champions coordinator. “We are confident that innovation and deep technology are more necessary than ever, as they can lead the path to develop solutions to some our world’s most pressing challenges.”

There will be four editions of the Investment Readiness Program by 2022, the current application being for the first one, which will be running from November 2020 to April 2021 and involve between 25 and 35 different startups that will receive mentoring and support.

Applications are open until 1 September: The Form

More information: Introduction of the program.

About Scale-up Champions

The Investment Readiness Program is part of Scale-up Champions, a project funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme with the aim to scale-up innovative businesses across the EU and help startups to achieve market success. The project builds on the premise of equalizing opportunities of scaling-up for startups across Europe and connects less and more developed startup ecosystems.