The Startup Boost pre-accelerator program launched today across the globe, including in cities Toronto, Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, London, and Dublin.
Startup Boost launched with the goal of prepping startups for accelerators, seed investment, and revenue generation. It’s a “reimagining” of the Startup Next program, which was supported by Techstars and provided entrepreneurs with six weeks of mentoring and coaching. As Techstars retired the program after over three years of operation — and boasting over $35 million raised — past Startup Next leaders decided to re-launch the program. Chapters in Amsterdam, New York San Francisco and Seattle will be launching in 2018.
Eight startups in each global chapter will be selected for the six-week program.
Startup Boost is currently being headed by TWG’s Tom Walsham and Oksana Salamaszek, two past Startup Next directors, and Multiplicity co-founder Chris Kay. Eight startups in each global chapter will be selected for the six-week program, which will include hands-on mentorship and weekly talks from experienced subject matter experts.
The curriculum will pair startups with mentors for weekly one-on-one sessions, and focus on areas such as customer development, venture funding, pitch preparation, market sizing, and growth marketing. No equity is taken from startups during the program, as it is supported by sponsors, strategic partnerships, and volunteers. Global Accelerator Network (GAN) and F6S, one of the largest startup directories in the world are two such sponsors.
“The Startup Next program enabled Sampler to raise its first round of financing. Most importantly, the connections I made during the program are still heavily involved in our company three years later as investors, directors, partners and advisors,” said Marie Chevrier, founder of Sampler and past Startup Next participant in Toronto. “I attribute much of our success to the decision I took to apply and participate actively in this program. I would recommend it to any early-stage company.”
In Toronto, the initiative will kick off at TWG’s head office on October 10 following an information evening on August 31. Chevrier will participate in the Toronto chapter’s first meeting with Abacus founder Jeff Goldenberg.
Applications for the October 2018 cohort program are available on the website.