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Submit your application to the Acceleration and Pre-Acceleration programs.
Applications are open to anyone (it is not necessary to be a Bocconi student or alumnus/a) anywhere.
Deadline: January 8th, 2025.
Since March 2020, we have launched 10 Startup Calls, having received over 3,500 applications and supporting a total of 220 startups, resulting in the creation of more than 160 jobs. Over the past four years, these ventures have raised more than 37 million euros.
We are now ready to announce the launch of our 11th Startup Call, which will include both our Pre-Acceleration and Acceleration programs.
What is the goal? Our main goal is to help you validate your early-stage business idea and turn it into a minimum viable product. We also want to give you the right tools to self-assess if your team is the right one and how you can strengthen it in your startup journey.
Who is it for? This program welcomes aspiring startup teams (both formally and informally constituted) from all backgrounds and levels of expertise. No prior entrepreneurial experience is required, and you do not need to be a Bocconi student or alumnus to apply.
Are there any requirements to apply?
Yes, there are a couple of requirements:
Participants must be part of a team of at least two individuals, all of whom must be of legal age.
Participants should be able to communicate in English, as the program is conducted entirely in English.
When the program takes place? Our program starts on March 1st and concludes on May 24th.
How does it work? The program is a 3-month training course conducted online, making it compatible with any work or study commitments. It includes 11 mandatory training sessions totaling 55 hours, held on Saturday mornings, plus access to up to 10 dedicated mentoring sessions, tailored to your needs and delivered by your dedicated mentors, matched to the specifics and challenges of your startup.
What are the training sessions about? The training sessions cover the most important topics to build a startup, including customer discovery, market validation, business model development, MVP design, financial planning, and more.
What services are included in the program?
Online sessions with mentors to address specific matters using appropriate digital tools
Pro bono legal orientation in areas such as IP strategy, IP protection, privacy, company setup
Evening sessions with experienced speakers for in-depth discussions on specific topics, such as customer interview techniques, how-to-pitch, rapid testing, fundraising and go-to-market approaches.
An internal Demo Day event with B4i team, speakers, advisors and mentors
A final Demo Day event for the top-selected teams to pitch their ideas to a audience of experts and potential investors
Networking events and access to Bocconi network
Free and discounted services from Bocconi and over 50 affiliated service providers, including access to databases, cloud hosting, payment systems, CRM, and more
Ongoing support from the B4i team for idea validation, go-to-market strategies, MVP development, pitch refinement, deck reviews, and everything else needed to help you effectively grow your business
One-on-one meetings with our speakers to apply lessons learned and receive practical tips
How to apply? Submit your application for the Pre-acceleration program AT THIS LINK by January, 8th!
What is the goal? Our aim is to guide early-stage startups from the prototype phase to product-market fit, allowing founders to unleash their venture’ growth.
Who is it for? Innovators from any location and sector, especially if first-time and/or tech founders. Please note that it is not necessary to be a Bocconi student or alumnus/a.
Are there any requirements to apply? Yes!
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 in March 2025;
Propose an innovative solution to a real need in a growing market;
Have some measurable indicators of market validation, such as users/paying customers, pipeline of potential users/paying customers, revenues (if any), etc.
When the program takes place? Our program starts on March 24th and concludes on July 18th.
How does it work? This is a 4-month structured program that 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 and a pool of experts. 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 assist you in fundraising. Additionally, we invest €50,000 in startups through a convertible note to help kickstart your journey.
What services are included in the program?
Business development and sales coaching via dedicated workshops and one-on-one meetings with mentors;
Growth, product and digital marketing support (ex. A/B Testing, Web analytics, Lead generation funnel, User research) from a dedicated professionals;
Pro bono legal consulting support for six months, assisting you in areas such as IP strategy, term sheet negotiation, contracts, GDPR;
UX/UI assistance (ex. dashboards, landing pages, UI) from dedicated professionals;
Daily support from the B4i team on workflows, pitch refinement, fundraising strategies, and everything else to help you effectively manage your company;
A modern office space in the heart of Milan, shared with other startups;
Networking events and community-building activities to connect with key personalities, including innovation experts, investors, and exceptional founders, helping you fully integrate into our ecosystem;
Access to a network of expertise and mentors connected to Bocconi professors, staff, students, and alumni;
Free and discounted services from Bocconi and over 50 affiliated service providers, including databases, cloud hosting, payment systems, CRM, and more.
How to apply? Submit your application for the Acceleration program AT THIS LINK by January, 8th!
Just a couple of tips by B4i team:
Propose innovative solutions that address existing problems;
Back up your claims with market research data;
When presenting your Unique Selling Proposition (USP), demonstrate how your business differentiates itself from the competition;
The team itself is a crucial component of a successful application, and we will evaluate each member’s strengths and how complementary they are to one another.
You can consult comprehensive guidelines and recommendations on how to effectively answer the questions and structure your pitch HERE.
Additionally, the pre-acceleration and acceleration teams will present the programs and answer questions in a dedicated webinar on November 27th at 6 PM. You can register HERE.
For any further questions or concerns, you can email the B4i team at infob4i@unibocconi.it.