Do you want to venture into supporting sustainable development?


The Next Stage Sustainability Bootcamp will help you take your business venture to the next level!

From November 3 to 12, 2023, in Thessaloniki, a free support program for business ideas focusing on sustainable development. Combining training, coaching, networking opportunities and practical support.

next stage SUSTAINABILITY BOOTCAMP


If you are working on an innovative business idea that seeks to have a positive impact on society or the environment, this program is for you. This year, we are focusing on ideas revolving around agrifood and energy sustainability.

At the Bootcamp:

  • You will receive support through training and tailored guidance to move to the next stage
  • You will meet representatives of organizations that actively support sustainable development and seek partnerships
  • You will present your work to institutional investors and business angels
  • You will also compete for awards and ongoing practical support after the Bootcamp.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations reflect the most critical modern global challenges. The 2030 Agenda is the roadmap to a fairer, more peaceful and prosperous world and a healthy planet.

No Poverty

No Poverty

Zero Hunger

Zero Hunger

Good Health and Well-being

Good Health and Well-being

Quality Education

Quality Education

Gender Equality

Gender Equality

Clean Water and Sanitation

Clean Water and Sanitation

Affordable and Clean Energy

Affordable and Clean Energy

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Reduced Inequality

Reduced Inequality

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Responsible Consumption and Production

Responsible Consumption and Production

Climate Action

Climate Action

Life Below Water

Life Below Water

Life on Land

Life on Land

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Partnerships to achieve the Goal

Partnerships to achieve the Goal

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Important dates

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October 5

Applications open

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October 27

Applications close

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October 30

Qualifying business ideas are selected

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November 3-12

Bootcamp is conducted

Διεκδικήστε συμμετοχή

How we can help

Training

to recognize risk factors in a business model and how to manage them

Practical tools

to make better analysis of the business opportunity and effective presentation

Networking

with businesses and investors looking for solutions to sustainability challenges

Prizes

of total value over 5.000€ to help you get to the next stage

Prizes

At the end of the Bootcamp, the best projects will be awarded prizes worth over 5,000€.

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Schedule

From November 3rd to 12th, at the facilities of the Alexandrian Zone of Innovation in the center of Thessaloniki, we will have the opportunity to meet and work together so that the selected entrepreneurial efforts can take meaningful steps forward.

Coaches

Dimitris Kourtesis and Nikos Tsoniotis are entrepreneurs in the technology field and co-founders of Ideas Forward.

Since 2017 they have supported more than 200 startups at different stages of their development, through structured acceleration programs, training bootcamps and advisory.

Trainers

Introductory courses to the training program of the competition will be conducted by experienced members of the Center for Volunteer Managers of Greece (KEMEL). KEMEL is composed of active and former senior executives of Greek and multinational companies with a strong willingness to volunteer.

Speakers

  • Nikolaos Koltsidas

    President at Proud Farm
Group of Farmers 

  • Ioannis Mourtzinos

    Ass. Professor, Food Chemistry and Analysis (AUTH) P.I., AgroFoodRnD 

  • Francesco Musardo

    CEO & Founder, Alberami 

  • Yiorgos Bontzios

    Co-founder & CCO, Agroverse PC 

  • Stefanos Tsiakmakis

    Cofounder, BIO2CHP 

  • Grigoris Chatzikostas

    VP for Biz Dev, Foodscale Hub 

  • Machi Simeonidou

    Managing Director, AgroApps 

  • Evangelos Gklavakis

    MSc Horticulture, the Krop 

  • Dilay Çelebi

    Senior Researcher & Professor, South-east European Research Centre (SEERC) 

  • Panos Remoundos

    Project Development & Coordination Creativity Platform 

  • Theodoros Tsamourtzis

    Managing Director, Agrotechnology Export Cluster 

  • Marco Della Puppa

    Managing Director at Italian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce of Thessaloniki 

Organization

Alexander Innovation Zone logo

Implementation

Ideas Forward logo

Support

Friedrich Naumann Foundation logo

Media sponsor

Epixeiro.gr logo

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Participating in the Bootcamp is free of charge.

The Bootcamp will be held in-person, at the premises of the Alexander Innovation Zone, in the center of Thessaloniki (Filikis Etaireias 12, PC 54621).

1. Clarity in describing the customer's need and the value proposition
Has the customer's need been described in the form of a problem to be solved, a desired benefit or a task to be performed? Is a profile of the potential customer defined to a degree that would allow for a market research to start or for some interested parties to be identified for the first interviews?

2. Complementarity and readiness of the team
Are the skills of the existing team enough to develop a minimal viable version of the product/service that could be tested by potential buyers?

3. Market size/economic perspective
Based on the data presented, how large does the market appear to be? Would it allow the business to scale? Could it have international development?

4. Degree of innovation
How innovative is the business approach compared to the existing direct or indirect competition in the market?

5. Integration of Sustainable Development Goals
To what extent is the success of the business model linked to the achievement of one or more Sustainable Development Goals?

In 2015, under the United Nations framework, world leaders almost unanimously adopted the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.


The Sustainable Development Goals are the roadmap to a fairer, more peaceful and prosperous world, and a healthy planet. It is also a call for intergenerational solidarity.


Read more here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

The core requirement is innovation in the business model and alignment with one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. We however particularly encourage participation from business ventures based on innovative technology.

You should be ready to invest around 36 hours over a 10-day period in order to work on your project together.

Full attendance to the preparation program is a prerequisite for your participation in the final. We expect at least one member of the team to actively participate.

Of course. Participation is open to teams of co-founders or individual founders who have not yet launched a business, as well as existing businesses.