An accelerator is a rapid-growth environment, packed with resources designed to take startups from ideation to validation. Typically, accelerator members have a minimum viable product (MVP) in place and are given special access to mentors, advisors and funding opportunities.
Module 2 is an international Accelerator aimed at high-growth (potential) tech businesses founded/led by women, consisting of:
What’s the objective?: The role and aim of the Pre-accelerator Bootcamp is to ‘Road test’ the high-growth potential of Bootcamp companies to select ‘the right’ companies for the subsequent Accelerator. See 2) below
How many Bootcamps will you run? There will be 2 Pre-accelerator Bootcamps in 2024 (Cohort 1 and Cohort 2)
When will the 2 Pre-Accelerator Bootcamps run? Cohort 1 Bootcamp – First week January 25nd-26rd 2024, Second week February 1st-2nd 2024 Cohort 2 Bootcamp – Two weeks during August 2024
What’s the Bootcamp Programme? See the general programme for inspiration here
What’s the format?
The Bootcamp format is interactive workshops, masterclasses, inspirational talks, coaching by the Programme’s national and international Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), investors and experts, pitch practice and pitching to Bootcamp judges
How many companies in each Bootcamp? There will be 15-20 companies in each Bootcamp, depending on the quality of applicants
Where will the Bootcamps be held? All 2 Bootcamps are physical events (with limited online content).
How long is each Bootcamp? Each Bootcamp stretches over 2 weeks
Wow, 2 weeks is a lot. I have a business to run: Exactly! So each Bootcamp week is only 2 days, so that you can focus on your business on days 3, 4, and 5, and then return for Week 2 of the Bootcamp, 2 days only, the following week.
When will I know if my business has been selected for the Accelerator? Bootcamp participants are told on Day 2 of Week 2 of the Bootcamp if they are offered places on the Accelerator
What if I am not selected?: Non-selected Bootcamp participants are given feedback by the Bootcamp judges, to help them improve their strategy/execution and success chances in subsequent Cohorts, if they choose to reapply.
What’s the Objective?: The aim of the International Accelerator is to accelerate the scaleup of selected Finnish, high-growth tech companies, led by women, through targeted scaleup support, delivered by Finnish and international experts
How many Accelerators will there be? There will be 2 x 6 month Accelerators (2 Cohorts)
When will the 2 x 6 month Accelerators (Cohorts) run? Cohort 1: Starts in Mid February 2024 Cohort 2: Starts in Mid August 2024
What’s the Accelerator Programme? See high level Accelerator Programme here (Detailed programme details will be shared with accepted applicants)
What’s the format?:PROGRAMME BUILDING BLOCKS: Dynamic, interactive programme, delivered by top-notch national and international Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs), partners, experts and investors through:
Interactive workshops, masterclasses, case studies and coaching
Peer-to-peer groups
Demo days, pitch and networking events in Finland and internationally
Access to potential clients, partners, experts, investors, peers and networks across Tech Nordic Advocates’ Global Tech Advocates’ global tech/startup ecosystem, spanning 30 global tech hubs and 29000 tech leaders
Introduction to Finnish and international investors (see Module 3 also), contacts and networks
Collaboration with international embassies, partners and accelerators
Trade missions (e.g. UK, US, Canada) – to be confirmed
Tech Nordic Advocates’ global women-in-tech community platform
What will that deliver?
Give Accelerator companies access to Finnish / international experts who know how to scale up high-growth potential tech companies and navigate scaleup “roadblocks”, including specific challenges women leaders of tech companies face
Help women leaders of high-growth tech companies in Finland fulfil their potential
Create new Finnish and international peer networks for the benefit of the women leaders of the high-growth tech companies on the Programme, and the tech companies they run
Help create more Finnish high-growth tech companies with international expansion potential, tech-led innovation, exports, sustainable growth, jobs, welfare and equality in business, tech and society
Strengthen know-how and knowledge share in the ecosystem, by bringing international know-how and expertise to Finland
Build new Finnish and international partnerships and networks
Create role models for future women tech leaders in Finland
How many companies in each Accelerator? There will be 15-18 companies in each Accelerator depending on the quality of 1) Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp companies
When will the Accelerators run? Cohort 1 Accelerator: Feb 2024– July 2024. Cohort 2 Accelerator: from Aug 2024 – Jan 2025.
How long is each Accelerator? Each Accelerator runs for 6 months
How much time do I need to devote to the Accelerator? Please assume 20% of your time
What are the key benefits? The International Accelerator offers a unique opportunity to learn at a rapid pace the critical skills needed to scale a tech business with high-growth potential. Learning-by-doing is vital. The international focus of this Accelerator accelerates that process and adds additional value by injecting international know-how from successful entrepreneurs and experts, to help Accelerator participants compress years’ worth of learning into 6 months, and build international networks in record time, and thus, scale their tech businesses and expand internationally faster
What makes this Accelerator unique? It’s the only international Accelerator in Finland/the Nordics/Europe offering targeted support to women leaders of high-growth tech companies
Women founders/co-founders/c-level leaders (i.e. CEO, CTO, COO, CMO) of high-growth (potential) tech companies (who may have (a) co-founder(s) of any gender)
Applicants may come from Module 1 of Tech Nordic Advocates Strategic Women-in-Tech Growth Programme OR from outside the programme
A kick-ass, ‘best in class’ part-time international accelerator programme and content rated 4.8/5 by the 2022 Alumni, delivered by successful international tech entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, coaches and partners
Access to clients, partners and market opportunities around the world through our Global Tech AdvocatesCommunity of 30,000 tech leaders globally, who are ready to help you succeed
Office hours with business, financial, technical. legal, sales, marketing and leadership experts from Google, KPMG, Nordea, Magnusson Law, DreistStorgaard, London Stock Exchange, COWI and many more
Our international peer network of other female tech founders on the same journey as you, who understand the challenges female leaders of tech companies face
Real time ‘phone a friend’ access to our International Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) – successful Danish/international tech entrepreneurs and experts who know how to scale high-growth potential tech companies and navigate scaleup “roadblocks”
Pitch training, due diligence and access to investors to help you raise the capital you need to scale your tech business
Trade missions to the Nordics, UK and US
Awesome discounts from Hubspot, Zendesk, Talent Garden and many more
The Programme is funded by the City of Helsinki, private partners and Tech Nordic Advocates
Successful applicants pay a deposit of 300 euros before the start of the Bootcamp. Deposits are returned on completion of the full Programme (Bootcamp and Accelerator). Deposits are not returned to participants who do not complete the full Programme.
Bootcamp participants who are not selected for the subsequent Accelerator will have their deposits returned at the end of the Bootcamp.
Applicants apply to join the 6 month Accelerator. Successful Applicants are offered places on the Pre-accelerator Bootcamp initially. Successful Bootcamp participants are then offered places on the subsequent 6 month Accelerator. (ie. Applicants submit ONE application only)
Applicants offered places on a Pre-accelerator Bootcamp must accept and commit to their Bootcamp places within a week of being offered a place. Commitment means payment of deposit (see below) and completion of the 2 x 2 day Bootcamp programme over a two week period. Bootcamp applicants who accept a place on the programme but do not attend all 4 Bootcamp days will not be considered to have completed the Bootcamp, hence will not be considered for the Accelerator OR have their deposits returned
Pre-accelerator Bootcamp participants who are not offered places on the subsequent Accelerator may submit a new application for subsequent Cohorts
Succesful Bootcamp companies, offered places on the subsequent Accelerator, must complete this, as a condition of having their deposits return.
Completion means attendance at the Accelerator sessions and submission and sign-off of an executable scaleup and international expansion plan at the end of the Accelerator Programme.
