What is the process that you join through Impact Startup Factory?
Warm-up Workshops
Test if your ideas are a good fit for the Impact Factory or generate new ones in our 4 optional workshops taking place in Bucharest, Cluj, Iasi and Timisoara. These workshops are free and open to everyone, but please register at the event you want to attend.
Bootcamp
After enrolling in the program, confirmed participants will attend the bootcamps in Bucharest & Cluj-Napoca. Pitch or join teams, design business models with support from mentors and get ready to go on a Market Expedition to understand real customer needs
Bucharest 8th – 10th of July
Cluj-Napoca 1st – 3rd of July
At the end of each bootcamp, the participating teams will pitch in front of a jury and 10 teams from each bootcamp will advance to the next stage of Impact Startup Factory.
Please note that, while the costs of the bootcamp and meals during the event are covered by the organisers, any travel & accommodation expenses will be covered by the participants.
Market Expedition
If you will be part of the 20 selected teams nation wide, it’s time to connect with customers, test if your idea is actually a business OPPORTUNITY and measure how VALUABLE it is for customers.
In this stage you will get support through 1-2 individual online mentoring sessions and online webinars.
Pre-scheduled online webinars (only for preselected participants in the Impact Startup Factory Program)
5th of July (18:30 – 20:30) Get Ready to Pitch 24/7 with Anna Heijker
7th of July (18:30 – 20:30) Customer experience storyboarding – Lucian Gramescu (Impact Hub) and guest entrepreneurs Ion Neculai (eematico) and Cristian Branea (MATERIA)
12th of July (18:30 – 20:30) Building your prototype the SMART way – Lucian Gramescu (Impact Hub) and guest entrepreneurs Bogdan Ioan (Aviziero) and Silviu Martin (Martin Adventures)
19th of July (18:30 – 20:30) Financial Thinking Skills for Entrepreneurs – Lucian Gramescu (Impact Hub) and guest entrepreneurs Doris Stroiescu (Atelierul de pânză) and Alex Ghita (Educativa)
Pitch Day
You have worked hard to record your progress, attended the mentoring sessions, actively participated in webinars.
It’s time to make your startup shine in front of the jury.
28th of July (15:00 – 18:00) Pitch Day – Bucharest
29th of July (15:00 – 18:00) Pitch Day – Cluj-Napoca
After this pitch day, 6 teams will advance to next round of Impact Startup Factory.
Go to Zurich
One representative from each team selected at the previous pitch day will join a 2-day visit in Zurich to meet the impact entrepreneurship ecosystem and get feedback and new ideas for your business model. Travel, accommodation and meals are covered by the organisers.
Road to Market
We want to help you bring your startup to the market, so you get more than just a business trip to Zurich.
First, we will set up a shadow board for you – a team of experienced professionals and entrepreneurs to act as your advisory team for the next 4 months.
Second, you will work through 4 monthly business planning assignments with support from your advisory board, experts and team, all leading up a clear-cut business plan and a practical go-to-market strategy.
The assignments will be launched and discussed in dedicated webinars:
Prototyping (9th of August – 17:30 – 18:30)
10 Customers Challenge (6th of September – 17:30 – 18:30)
Marketing & Sales Strategy – (4th of October – 17:30 – 18:30)
Financial Forecasting – (8th of November – 17:30 – 18:30)
Final review – (7th of December)