The acceleration program of OK!Thess supports entrepreneurs working on innovative early-stage business concepts. It helps participants mature their ideas in a short period of time and discover a financially viable and scalable business model that will allow them to grow, as startup businesses, in large markets.
This is achieved through:
Through several more other activities OK!Thess also helps participants to grow their network and become part of Thessaloniki’s innovation ecosystem. Since the beginning of 2017 the acceleration program of OK!Thess has provided support to 120+ innovative business ventures.
Adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic in Greece, the 13th cycle will be carried out online.
The acceleration program takes place in 3-month cycles and accepts new participants 3 times a year. The next cycle of the acceleration program will be #13 and deadline for submitting your application is November 28th, 2021 (Sunday, by 23:59).
You can watch a video from the 9th cycle Bootcamp from October 2019 at this link.
Teams are accepted into the program through an evaluation process that consists of two phases:
1st phase: Each team is evaluated based on its submitted application form in order to be invited to a week-long Bootcamp, consisting of 24 hours of online training (mandatory attendance).
2nd phase: On the last day of the weak-long Bootcamp each team presents its project to a selection committee which evaluates the projects and decides which ones are accepted into the full, 3-month-long acceleration program. The full program has a 3-month duration and includes 36 hours of mandatory training workshops and masterclasses, as well as weekly online meetings with the startup coaches of OK!Thess.
Important dates:
• 28/11/2021 (23:59): Deadline for submission of applications
• 2/12/2021: Completion of 1st Phase of evaluation and invitation of applicants to be selected for the Bootcamp
• 3/12/2021 - 10/12/2021: Bootcamp (online workshops lasting 25 hours, mandatory attendance)
• 10/12/2021: Presentations of teams that completed the Bootcamp to the Evaluation Committee (Pitching Event)
• 10/12/2021: Announcement of the teams to be accepted in the full four-month program of the 13th acceleration cycle.
The teams which are selected at the end of the Bootcamp to be accepted in the 3-month acceleration program follow a common training program and a personalized coaching program.
During the whole cycle, every Thursday afternoon (18:00-21:00) a mandatory training masterclass/workshop takes place. Workshops / masterclasses focus on training on methodological tools for business model discovery (Lean Startup Methodology) and basic entrepreneurial skills. Indicative topics:
In addition to the training program, participants meet with their startup coach once a week in order to discuss progress, to evaluate the deliverables that they have worked on and to address challenges. As part of this process, coaches also bring the teams in touch with experts from the mentor network of OK!Thess.
Participation in the Bootcamp of OK!Thess is free of charge. Provided that a team successfully completes the 2nd stage evaluation at the end of the Bootcamp and is accepted into the full program, there is a symbolic fee of 150€ (per project) as a contribution to the activities of OK!Thess.
To participate, fill in the following form, hit submit and wait for the confirmation email. In case you don’t receive it, contact us at mail@okthess.gr .