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 July 1 to 10, 2022, in Thessaloniki, a free support program for 15 select 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.
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
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
Important dates
June 18
Applications close
June 20
15 business ideas are selected
July 1-10
Bootcamp is conducted
How we can help
Training
Practical tools
Networking
Prizes
Prizes
At the end of the Bootcamp, the entrepreneurial efforts that will be distinguished will be awarded prizes and services worth more than 10,000€.
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Business Model Advisory
3 business model discovery sessions from Ideas Forward, for 3 teams
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Co-working office space
12 months of use of the AZK co-working space in the center of Thessaloniki, for 3 teams
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Investment Readiness Advisory
3 investment-readiness sessions from Ideas Forward, for 3 teams
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Business Address Hosting
12 months of use of the AZK address as a business address, for 3 teams
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Amazon Web Services
12 months of use of AWS services worth 5,000$, for 2 teams
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Next Stage Sustainability Accelerator
Fast-track introduction to the Next Stage Accelerator (Oct 2022) for 3 teams
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Schedule
From July 1st to 10th, 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 15 selected entrepreneurial efforts can take meaningful steps forward.
Coaches
Dimitris Kourtesis, Nikos Tsioniotis and Stefanos Tsiakmakis are entrepreneurs in the tech space and co-founders of Ideas Forward. Since 2017, through structured acceleration programs and educational bootcamps of OK!Thess and Next Stage, they have supported more than 150 startups in different stages of their development.
Speakers
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Penelope Pagoni
ESG & Sustainability Consultant, Former ESG Director at Hellenic Petroleum Group -
Alexandros Mylonas
Group Sales Director, Alumil S.A. -
Alexandra Nitzlader
Social Finance & Venture Capital Expert, Regional Manager Austria, FASE - Financing Agency for Social Entrepreneurship -
Vassilis Nikolopoulos
Head of Innovation and Applied Research, MYTILINEOS S.A. -
Elina Koutsouradi
Entrepreneur & Angel Investor, Founding Member, Hellenic Business Angels Network -
Joachim Köchling
International Managing Director (Expert of Greece), IFM Institut für den Mittelstand -
Alexandra Sarma
General Manager & Partner, SDG House Greece -
Evangelos Kosmidis
Founder and Head of Business Development at DRAXIS Environmental S.A. -
Grigoris Chatzikostas
Vice President Of Business Development, Foodscale Hub -
Theodoros Sofianos
Innovation & Product Development Researcher at Unismack, Founder at Digital Bites
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.