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The purpose of Ventures Thrive is to reduce the existing hurdles deeptech companies face in trying to reach the market, with a combination of equity-free funding, a growth programme, access to specialised investors and a real connection with corporate partners to promote open innovation activities.

Ventures Thrive will host an 8-month programme in 2 different open calls, offering a total of €1.5M to 32 young companies. This equity-free funding will be combined with connections to top corporates, investors, institutions and mentors, helping increase the runway and capacity to grow.

There are 3 phases to qualify for the Ventures Thrive Acceleration Programme, aside from the Open Calls: 

Programme Starts - Phase 1 (Build)

During the first month, 12 selected startups will work with Ventures Thrive coaches to refine their Business Case taking into account a number of specific indicators such as product development and commercialisation, business development and strategic synergies with the programme’s corporate partners, and future fundraising plan. Each team will commit to a set of realistic KPIs to pursue during the Ventures Thrive programme.

After that, in the second month, they will pitch in front of industry leaders and corporate partners. All companies reaching this stage will be qualified to receive a Venture Ticket of €5,000 equity-free, to cover all your costs associated with pitching.

Programme Phase 2 (Grow)

Startups have already set specific milestones and KPIs to achieve during their 6-month growth programme. Each startup will receive individual mentoring, along with innovation strategy workshops and masterclasses, investment readiness programmes and matchmaking, building a business use case for addressing real-life corporate challenges, and access to industry events. 

Demo Day (Raise)

Startups will present their achievements during the programme and give a final pitch at Wolves Summit. Teams must be present to receive an award.

Only startups that reach at least 80% of their KPIs in phase 2 will be eligible for awards. Prizes will be awarded to the top three startups (€15,000, €10,000 and €5,000 respectively). This funding is in addition to money already received within the regular programme.

The Ventures Thrive programme will take 8 months. It will be split into 3 different phases:

1. Build (phase 1) - 2 months

2. Grow (phase 2) - 5 months

3. Raise (phase 3) - 1 month

The first call for applications is now open. You can apply by clicking on the button Apply now. It will take you to the Sploro platform where you must create an account, and then fill in the application form. Make sure to read the Guidelines for Applications. You will find all the information you need to know before applying.

Yes, Ventures Thrive is an equity-free programme.

After you submit your application, it will pass a first screening test. After that, you will receive an email, describing the next steps.

Ventures Thrive is a hybrid programme. You don’t need to relocate, however, there will be some events (Pitch Contest, Demo Day) that you’ll need to attend offline.

Companies established or operating in the Widening area, defined by the European Commission as:

EU member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Associated countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Outermost Regions (defined in Art. 349 TFEU): Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.

Deeptech solutions leveraging BigData, AI, Blockchain, IoT, and Bio-Tech to address challenges, with promising solutions in the identified focus areas.

Startups should have a working technology that has passed the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage (TRL-6 - technology demonstrated in a relevant environment). The startup should also be actively looking for private funding. It is also beneficial that the startup can generate sales.

Each selected startup will receive a €5000 voucher to be redeemed for focused mentoring, expert content & training, and investor feedback.