Is your startup still in its infancy? Do you feel you need support with market analysis, or maybe with growing your team? Check out WAW.ac, one of the most known Warsaw startup accelerators. It focuses mostly on technological startups specializing in life sciences, material technology, optoelectronics, energy, IT and mobile fields.
Considering that there are about 2,600 various startups in Poland, WAW.ac gets a lot of applications for its acceleration program. Thus, the first stage – and perhaps the most difficult – is getting admitted to the program. The application process consists of two parts: filling out an online form and meeting with program coordinators.
A selected group of participants is invited to the second stage of the program – four days of intensive business workshops. The main topics include market analysis, communication, team building, leadership and presentation skills. All of these skills should be immediately implemented in practice while discussing the participants’ startups. After this stage, yet another selection takes place – only the most promising startups are able to participate in the final two stages.
The third stage is called “matchmaking” – networking of startups and mentors. A series of presentations of the participants is closely followed by mentors’ pitches. Once the areas of expertise of the mentors (as well as the needs of participating startups) become clear, they pair up in a natural way to cooperate during the final stage of the program.
During marathon workshops, a 3-month-long mentoring period, startup teams meet with their mentors and other experts. This stage encompasses both face to face meetings and thematic workshops for selected groups. The whole program is summed up during a Final Gala, when the startup teams meet potential investors and clients.
WAW.ac launched its first edition in 2015. Since then, they cooperate with business giants such as Intel, T-Mobile Poland, Microsoft or Adamed. Apart from Andrzej Kuśmierz, the author of the program, and Wojciech Broniatowski, the main coordinator, WAW.ac team consists of over 20 mentors with a broad area of expertise, from molecular biology to PR and patenting.
Participation in this acceleration program is completely free. The application for the third edition closes on 20 November, so… what are you waiting for?
