Founders2founders - Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration

About the programme

Founders 2 Founders:

A series of 5 one-day workshops consisting of an introductory module on EIT Community and its opportunities for start-ups and innovative SMEs, 4-hour training sessions, and 3-hour individual practical work.

After each workshop, start-ups will receive individualised recommendations on how to proceed. The hands-on workshops will provide individualised guidance, feedback and support to help start-ups improve their skills, productivity and access to foreign markets.

Language of the events: English

To whom

Founders and employees of start-ups and innovative SMEs in the early and middle stages of development (TRL3-TRL5)* who:

* TRL 3 – 5
TRL 3 — The concept is confirmed by experiment.
TRL 4 — Аvailable prototype. 
TRL 5 — The first tests of prototype were performed.

Are interested in expanding their business to international markets;

Are looking for knowledge and support in legal and financial aspects;

Seek to improve their business strategies and market approaches;

Improve their pitching and presentation skills to attract investors.

When and Where

5 one-day intensive workshops for ambitious Ukrainian entrepreneurs

6

Sep

Kyiv

20

Sep

Lviv

23

Oct

Dnipro

25

Oct

Odesa

8

Nov

Kyiv

Application form is closed now

12 start-ups will be selected for each of the 5 workshops (1 start-up can attend 1 workshop).

The program will culminate in the annual large-scale event, the International Expo Forum 2024 – Innovation Boost. Where the best start-ups and SMEs from the F2F programme will be able to present their innovative solutions to business angels, investors,corporate representatives and international institutions, and win a cash prize.

* Pitching to investors will take place in English

Powered By

EIT Community

The EIT is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The EIT strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe.

https://eit.europa.eu/

Implemented By

Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleation

The first and at the same time the only acceleration programme specifically focused on deep tech and knowledge-intensive technologies in Ukraine with a full range of support from ideas to first national customers and/or institutional investments.

https://vacu2m.com/

Partners

What participants of the Founders 2 Founders programme will receive:

Mastering important business concepts and developing business skills:

Participants will be able to significantly increase their knowledge of business strategy, marketing, sales and business management. This includes learning about topics such as Unique Selling Proposition (USP), financing, partner search tools, and investment attraction.

Introduction to the opportunities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs):

Through the introductory module of the programme, participants will receive detailed information about the opportunities offered by EIT Community to support start-ups, which opens up additional resources and prospects for their development.

Receive practical recommendations and advice from entrepreneurs and investors:

After each practical block, start-ups will receive individualised recommendations for further actions. The hands-on work will provide individualised guidance, feedback and support to help start-ups improve their skills, productivity and access to foreign markets.

Expanding your network of useful contacts and new acquaintances:

Participation in the workshops provides a unique opportunity for start-ups to establish new business relationships with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, which can contribute to the further development of their business.

Training on mastering the art of pitching a start-up to investors:

Start-ups will be able to improve their pitching skills, which will help them to attract investors and other stakeholders more effectively.

Training topics

Business strategy, including USP (unique selling proposition), marketing and sales.

Entering the European market and product development.

Financing, including fundraising and external financing.

Partner search tools, national and international business development and innovation programmes, investment attraction.

Legal requirements, including IPR, GDPR and investment documents.

Effective pitching and product presentation.

After the theoretical part, the start-ups will take practical classes on the following topics:

Business strategy, including USP (unique selling proposition), marketing and sales.
Entering the European market and product development.
Legal requirements, including IPR, GDPR, and investment documents.

Pool of experts for trainings and mentoring

*experts will vary according to the location of the event

Yaroslav Kaplan

Founder & CEO FlexiPay, ex-COO Vector.

Denys Popov

Serial Entrepreneur, CTO Noty Ai.

Alex Orap

Founder at YouScan, Member of the Management Board Techosystem.

Petro Bilyk

Chief Innovation Officer at Juscutum, has 10 years of legal experience, 5 of which are in the field of Legal Tech.

Ihor Markevych

EIT Community Officer Ukraine, Innovation & Tech Lead Advantage Ukraine.

Kateryna Dehtyar

Program Director at Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, Chapter Director at Startup Grind. Techstars Startup Weekend and Startup Week organizer in Ukraine and facilitator across Europe.

Anastasiia Liubiashcheva

Program Development Manager at Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration. Ukrainian growth consultant.

Viacheslav Fokin

Founder at JobAtlas, Content Director At Whitepage.

Oleksandr Reminnyi

Founding partner United Angels Network. Founder of Startup Kitchen.

Ivan Horodyskyy

Managing Partner of Dexis Partners Law Firm.

Mykola Maksymenko

Co-founder and CTO at Haiqu.

Nick Oseyko

founder&CEO Carbominer, Serial entrepreneur.

Karina Kudriavtseva

Head of Growth at EIT Community RIS Hub Ukraine.

Bohdan Ziniak

Co-founder & Design Lead at Flying Age.

Artem Plokhii

Legal Advisor, founder of SLG, co-founder and CEO of FormSniper.

Oleksii Barinov

Financial Consultant for SMB’s.

Kateryna Pautova

Founder of Academy of practical knowledge “ProResult”. Ex commercial director of COMFY and ALLO Group.

Yaroslav Lavrynenko

Expert in Webflow & Flutterflow.

Andrii Barbashyn

Senior IT Lawyer at Barbashyn Law Firm.

Serhii Cherdakov

CFO, Finance Executive with 7 years’ experience in FMCG, international logistics and Pharmaceutical industry.

Herman Chuikov

Serial IT Entrepreneur, Founder of Adbuy Inc.

Jeff Cabili

Stanford Continuing Studies Instructor since 2006, Effective Nonverbal Communication, the Power of Body Language & Voice, Storytelling, Pitch Polishing, Keynote Speaker, Skydeck Mentor.

Yaroslav Lysak

CEO & Co-founder Neverdark.

Nikita Shpirt

Founder & CEO of ARMAR Solutions, international IT holding; Founder of the “Legalty” platform; Co-founder of Clinics Up; Chief Digital Officer at ARBER Fashion Group.

Yan Shapiro

U-Nation founder.

Requirements for applicants

SMEs, including start-ups registered in Ukraine or companies that have moved from Ukraine to a member state of the European Union, its overseas countries and territories (EEA) or associated countries of the Horizon Europe programme after 24.02.2022.