Azerbaijan joins thestartup program held in 37 countries of the world
For the first time Azerbaijan has launched the first stage of the ClimateLaunchpad program - the world’s largest Green Business Idea Competition held in 37 countries.
Learning structure and coverage area of this competition provides great progress opportunities for startups and authors of ideas accepted into the program. It should be noted that 14 teams were selected in Azerbaijan for participation in ClimateLaunchpad program since its launch in February 2017.
Program’s first stage started on May 6, 2017.
Starting from 6 May, two-day training program will be held for further development of accepted startups and their preparation to local finals to be held in August. The program is organized by the Social innovation Lab, and supported by the High-Tech Park of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (Gold Sponsor) and Barama Innovation Entrepreneurship Center (Bronze sponsor).
The program is held by the member of ClimateLaunchpad center from Holland Hans Westerhof, who is specialized in startups and innovative technologies, and local trainers. Practical trainings will last 14 weeks until the finals to be held in August.
ClimateLaunchpad Competition consists of 4 stages:
Stage 1: Boot Camp – 6 - 7 May 2017
14 teams, accepted to ClimateLaunchpad program, participate in 2-days practical Boot Camp covering 8 modules led by international expert. During the Boot Camp, participants will gain important business knowledge regarding the launch of startups by applying them on their own projects.
Stage 2: Intensive National Coaching sessions – May - July 2017
After 2-days Boot Camp, the teams will start 14 weeks National Coaching sessions. During the sessions, participants will work on the most important concepts defined by ClimateLaunchpad (with assistance of local experts) and get prepared to national final.
Stage 3: National final – 5 August 2017
After the National Coaching sessions, teams will make presentations in front of jury (with participation of representative of ClimateLaunchpad) for taking the first three places and getting the fully sponsored spot to the Grand Final. Generally, three winner teams from 37 countries will represent their countries in the Grand Final in October 2017.
Mərhələ 4: Grand Final – Limasol, Cyprus, October 2017
The Top-3 teams from each country will come together in the Grand Final to pitch their ideas in front of EU’s leading investors and entrepreneurs. The Top-10 teams, selected in the Grand Final, will get direct access into Climate-KIC Accelerator, the 18-months real life business scholl where great ideas grow into great business. During this Accelerator program, each team will receive 95K EUR assistance in three stages.
In addition, the Top-3 teams, selected in the Grand Final, will also get money prizes:
- The winner - 10000 EUR
- The runner-up – 5000 EUR
- The third place – 2500 EUR.
Also, we would like to add that the this year’s winner country will host the next Grand Final.