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.
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:
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
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Reduced Inequality
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life on Land
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Applications open
Applications close
Qualifying business ideas are selected
Bootcamp is conducted
Training
Practical tools
Networking
Prizes
At the end of the Bootcamp, the best projects will be awarded prizes worth over 5,000€.
Co-working office space
12-month use of the co-working space of Alexander Innovation Zone, in the center of Thessaloniki [for 3 teams]
Business Model Advisory
3 advisory sessions with Ideas Forward on business model discovery [for 3 teams]
Registered office address hosting
12-month hosting of registered office address at the premises of Alexander Innovation Zone [for 3 teams]
Investment Readiness Advisory
3 advisory sessions with Ideas Forward on investment readiness [for 3 teams]
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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.
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.
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.
President at Proud Farm Group of Farmers
Ass. Professor, Food Chemistry and Analysis (AUTH) P.I., AgroFoodRnD
CEO & Founder, Alberami
Co-founder & CCO, Agroverse PC
Cofounder, BIO2CHP
VP for Biz Dev, Foodscale Hub
Managing Director, AgroApps
MSc Horticulture, the Krop
Senior Researcher & Professor, South-east European Research Centre (SEERC)
Project Development & Coordination Creativity Platform
Managing Director, Agrotechnology Export Cluster
Managing Director at Italian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce of Thessaloniki
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.
