"ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER | KONSTANTINOS MICHALOS"
THERMOCULTURE OF NEW BUSINESSES IN ATHENS – THEA.
Invitation for Expression of Interest for the 'Inclusion of New Innovative Business Groups and New Innovative SMEs in the T.E.A.
The Athens Startup Incubator – THEA of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) invites startup business groups and startup innovative SMEs to submit an application for their inclusion in the structure of the Athens Startup Incubator – THEA, of the "Konstantinos Michalos" Entrepreneurship Center and to join the Incubator's hosting program.
It is noted that the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) is an Institutional Supporter of the “Elevate Greece” Initiative, of the Ministry of Development and Investments, which aims to strengthen, develop and extrovert the Greek innovation ecosystem, offering support/advisory services to start-ups, through the operation and participation of the ECCI, respectively, as an official body of the Greek innovation ecosystem.
WHO IT CONCERNS
1st category: Natural persons, business groups with a specific innovative business idea, service, or product to be developed.
2nd category: Newly emerging innovative SMEs characterized by a rapid growth rate.
In particular:
Each start-up business team and start-up innovative SME undertakes the commitment to participate in the programs and actions of the T.E.A., in the context of cooperation with its Advisors and Mentors, so that its progress can be monitored during the development period of its business idea or the growth of its business.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Support Program
THEA provides the following services to the start-up business groups and start-up innovative SMEs that will join the SUPPORT PROGRAM:
1. Consulting services (business planning, marketing planning, legal, accounting issues, etc.).
2. Specialized education/training services.
3. Networking actions to support business groups.
4. Access to meeting spaces in the Incubator building.
Hospitality Program
THEA provides the above services to the start-up business groups and start-up innovative SMEs that will join the HOSPITALITY PROGRAM, as well as:
1. Hosting the teams in the Incubator premises.
2. Modern operating environment, with appropriately designed office spaces, meeting rooms and common areas.
3. Modern infrastructure and provision of equipment.
4. Security, cleaning and secretarial support services.
5. Additionally, coverage of fixed operating costs, consumables and other expenses is ensured.
BENEFITS
The benefits that all start-up business groups and start-up innovative SMEs secure from their participation in the T.E.A. include:
• Providing advisory support on management issues, marketing – sales promotion, legal and tax issues, etc.
• Promoting synergies between business groups.
• Support for access to investment funds related to the financing of the start-up business.
• Participation in training seminars.
• Business networking activities in Greece and abroad.
• Formation of common interests and goals at an operational level.
PROCESS OF JOINING THE.E.A. & STAGES OF SUPPORT
Submitting Applications
Applications, which will be submitted until Thursday, February 29, 2024, following an extension of the deadline, will be evaluated immediately and on a first-come, first-served basis by the special evaluation committee of the T.E.A. The qualified
Startup business teams and startup innovative SMEs will be invited to an interview in order to present their business plans (pitching).
Phase A: Pre-incubation/Pre-acceleration
The positively evaluated business teams and innovative SMEs are invited to attend the pre-incubation and pre-acceleration program, respectively, of three (3) weeks duration that will be provided to them by the Incubator. During this period, the business teams and innovative SMEs will participate in focused actions of the Incubator, with the aim of determining the feasibility of implementing their business plan and strengthening the entrepreneurial skills of their members. A key milestone of the A' phase is the structuring of the Technical Feasibility Analysis of the business idea.
Phase B: Incubation/Acceleration Program
After the completion of the pre-incubation/pre-acceleration program, the incubation program or the acceleration program of the business groups and the start-up innovative SMEs, respectively, follows, which includes a Hosting Program, or an Incubator Support Program, lasting up to six (6) months. In order for the business groups and the start-up innovative SMEs to be included in the Hosting or Support Programs of the T.E.A., they must have been positively evaluated upon completion of the Pre-incubation or Pre-acceleration Program. The successful completion of the Pre-incubation or Pre-acceleration Program allows the business groups and the start-up innovative SMEs, respectively, to focus on enhancing the marketability of their business idea with the assistance of the T.E.A. services. In particular, in this phase, the members of the business team or the innovative SME startup, with the support and guidance of the mentors, consultants and staff of the T.E.A., are invited to formulate the basic tools of their business development, namely a detailed Business Plan. At the same time, the business teams and innovative SME startups, in addition to the Hosting and Support services, also receive extensive networking services, utilizing the relevant experience and specialization of the T.E.A., as well as parallel initiatives that have been developed, such as their contact with the Business Angel Network – (BANG) of the T.E.A. and with investment Funds, participation in events, demo days, international exhibitions and more.
Phase C – Networking Program
Successful completion of the Incubation or Acceleration Program signifies:
• The "graduation" of start-up business teams and start-up innovative SMEs from the program, as well as their departure from the T.E.A. facilities.
• The continuous support of start-up business groups and start-up innovative SMEs, through their privileged participation, in the individual networking and entrepreneurship strengthening actions implemented by the E.B.E.A.
It is noted that the services of the Networking Program have no time limit.
Application
On the website www.theathensincube.gr you will find the Proposal Submission Application for inclusion in the Athens Startup Incubator – THEA, the evaluation criteria, as well as the instructions for completing and submitting the Application electronically.
For more information or any clarifications you may need, you can contact the e-mail [email protected] and the telephone numbers of the THEA Secretariat: 211 1036904, 211 1036935 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Submission Deadline
Following an extension of the deadline, Proposal Submission Applications can be submitted until Thursday, February 29, 2024.
