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Acceleration program
Enabling your startup to reach product-market fit

"B4i pushed us to ask the right questions, move faster and think bigger. It helped us get clarity on the legal and financial side and gave us the confidence to move forward, supported by a community we’re proud to be part of."

Valentina Lidoni, Rilemo

"The B4i Acceleration Program was key in our early days, helping us organize our team and establish a structured way of working. This not only accelerated our initial development but also laid the foundation for long-term growth."

David Djokovic, Flashka

"As a founder you need to juggle between fundraising, hiring top talents, growing your revenues and developing your product. The B4i team and entrepreneurs are the sparring partners who help us master the mad art of startup every day."

Alessandra Cestaro, Holifya

"B4i was invaluable for us at Scavenger as first-time founders. We went in with little experience and came out having raised over €1M, learning how to build, sell, and prioritize along the way."

Maximilian Hahnenkamp, Scavenger

"The B4i Acceleration Program was transformative for us, providing crucial support as first-time founders, deepening our understanding of the startup ecosystem, and opening invaluable opportunities for growth."

Filippo Tamburini, Cargoful

The Acceleration program in brief

The B4i Accelerator is a 4-month structured program to bring your startup from prototype stage to product-market fit.

Open to innovators from any location or sector, this program requires entrepreneurs to fully commit and be present in our Milan office. Here, you will have a dedicated workspace and receive daily support from the B4i team.

Through a variety of activities - including legal guidance, marketing strategies, business development, and UX/UI support - B4i will help you refine your product, connect with industry experts and advisors, and ultimately fundraise.

Plus, we invest €50,000 in startups through a convertible note to kickstart your journey.

What is included

  • Business development and sales coaching via dedicated workshops and one-on-one meetings with mentors
  • Daily support from the B4i team on workflows, pitch refinement, fundraising strategies, and everything else to help you effectively manage your company
  • Networking events and community-building activities to connect with innovation experts, investors, and exceptional founders
  • Growth & digital marketing support (analytics, user research, lead generation) and UX/UI assistance (landing page, dashboards) from dedicated professionals
  • Access to a network of expertise and mentors connected to Bocconi professors, students, and alumni
  • A final event (Demo Day) to present your startup to a audience of experts and potential investors
  • Pro bono legal consulting support for six months, assisting you in areas such as IP strategy, term sheet negotiation, contracts, GDPR
  • A modern office space in the heart of Milan, shared with other startups
  • Free and discounted services from Bocconi and over 50 affiliated service providers (databases, payment systems, CRM, and more)

Investment Deal

Through B4i Fund, B4i invests €50.000 in startups via a convertible note.
The option converts after six months and takes up to 5%.

The terms are fair and balanced for the founders; that’s why the termsheet is publicly available on B4i’s website. No repayment is asked for the acceleration services, which are freely provided throughout the program.

READ THE INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

Legal Clinics

The Legal Clinics are a unique program created by Bocconi University Law School in partnership with a network of law firms from Italy and Europe, with the aim of providing professional legal assistance to help startups navigate complex legal challenges as they grow. The Clinics provide six months of free legal advice tailored to the specific needs of each startup participating in the Acceleration Program.

Highlights
since the first batch

68startups accelerated
7startups (average batch size)
180+jobs created
150speakers involved
KEY DATES
May 92025

Applications opening
The application period opens: it’s time to propose your startup

Jun 222025

Applications deadline
The application period closes and our team begins the process of candidates selection

Sept 292025

Start of the program
The selected candidates begin their 4-month program

Feb
2026

End of the program
The teams end the 18-week program

Feb2026

Demo day
Selected startups present their pitch in front of a community of angels and VC funds to fundraise for their company’s next stage

Our application calls open twice a year in May and November.
The program is held twice a year and welcomes up to 8 teams per batch.

Is it for you?

The program is open to anyone (it is not necessary to be a Bocconi student or alumnus/a) anywhere, but to be eligible you must:

  • Be a team of at least 2 people who have taken a full-time commitment to their startup.
  • Be constituted as a limited company before the program starts.
  • Propose an innovative solution to a real need in a growing market that falls into at least one of the three verticals.
  • Have some measurable indicators of market validation, such as users/paying customers, pipeline of potential users/paying customers, revenues, etc.
READ THE PROGRAM'S FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Read the Investment Agreement
How to apply
FAQ

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Startups

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Speakers

Affiliated service providers

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