VentureGarden: Applications open for the 20th round of the business idea accelerator
Applications for the 20th round of the VentureGarden program in Athens, which is in its 10th year, have begun. VentureGarden Athens is a accelerator start-up business idea accelerator (idea accelerator). Provided for free by Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece and implemented by AHEAD – Alba Hub for Entrepreneurship and Development, Alba’s entrepreneurship center. Alba implements VentureGarden in Southern Greece. Alongside Athens, it organizes VentureGarden Heraklion for the empowerment of entrepreneurs in the wider region of Crete and complementary actions in other areas.
Who it is aimed at VentureGarden
The idea accelerator is aimed at people with vision and commitment, who aspire to join the business ecosystem by creating their own business or growing their existing company.
VentureGarden emphasizes the person rather than the idea, as both the idea and the business environment are constantly changing. Participants are encouraged to learn to leverage tools that can be applied to any idea they are inspired by. Program participants who want to directly implement their idea can based on the preparation they have done in VentureGarden:
- join incubators
- seek funding or
- seek support from other actors in the ecosystem.
It is worth noting that in a recent survey among graduates of the program in Athens and Heraklion, 403 new jobs and funding amounting to 5,500,000 euros were recorded since 2014. The participants of the program say in percentage 95% that they would recommend the program to friends and acquaintances.
Those interested for the new cycle of VentureGarden Athens are invited to complete their application until September 10, 2023, where the application submission process will be completed. The number of places is limited and an evaluation process will follow for the selection of candidates.
Free participation in the program is ensured by its supporters. The founding national donor is The Hellenic Initiative.
The VentureGarden starts with an intensive training to develop business ideas lasting 5 weeks. After the completion of the training participants are selected who will continue with mentoring lasting 3 months. The program is implemented in Greek. It will take place in physical presence at the premises of the Alba Graduate Business School.
Already since the start of the program in February 2014, 1,837 applications for participation have been submitted for VentureGarden Athens, of which 481 were selected to attend the previous rounds of the program in Athens. During the total of 19 cycles that have been implemented in Athens, the participants attended a total of 558 hours of lessons. 181 presenters and mentors have offered support to participants, enabling them to turn their business creativity into tangible results. To date, 2,213 hours of supportive mentoring have been provided to VentureGarden participants. 55% of the participants are women, with an average age of 34.
Application deadline: September 10, 2023
For more information and to fill out the application visit: https://bit.ly/3QCnlqs.