Acceleration - Bocconi for innovation

Every day you have to deal with clients’ demands, product development, market tests, and several other obstacles. B4i was fundamental to identify the best stairs and tools to overcome the impressive wall that everyone has to face sooner than later.

Giacomo Salvanelli, Mine Crime

Building a startup is an incredibly challenging journey, and without proper planning, working structure, and tracking system, you are likely to get lost quite easily. B4i gave us the tools to make sure we did not fall into this trap.

Daniele Calvo Pollino, Mapo Tapo

B4i helped us transform an idea into a structured organization with ambitious targets. Together, we undertook a journey aimed at developing entrepreneurship at its best.

Lorenzo Cinelli, Conviv

All sessions, speakers and topics were carefully chosen. Having the opportunity to listen and interact with top entrepreneurs and brilliant minds is incredibly valuable.

Francesco Maria Serino, Doctors in Italy

The Acceleration program in brief

The B4i Accelerator is a 4-month structured program to bring your startup from prototype stage to product-market fit.

Entrepreneurs will be expected to dedicate a full-time effort to the program, through which we’ll help you define your product, complete the team, connect to industry experts and advisors, and ultimately fundraise.

Training & Mentorship
A €30k cash investment
Business Development & Sales channels
On-campus office space
Legal Clinics support for 6 months
Digital marketing support for 4 months
Free and discounted services from more than 15 affiliated providers
Fundraising Support
IP and Tax Desks

KEY DATES

Jan
82023

Applications deadline
The application period closes and our team begins the process of candidates selection

Mar
132023

Start of the program
The selected candidates begin their 4-month program

Jul
14
2023

End of the program
The teams end the 18-week program

Jul2023

Demo day
Selected startups present their pitch in front of a community of angels and VC funds to fundraise for their company’s next stage

Our application calls open twice a year in May and November.

Eligibility criteria

The program is open to anyone (it is not necessary to be a Bocconi student) anywhere, but to be eligible you must have:

A team of at least 2 people who have taken a full-time commitment to their startup and have reached the age of majority.
Be constituted as a limited company (Italian SRL or equivalent) before the program starts in March 2023.
Propose an innovative solution to a real need in a growing market that falls into at least one of the three verticals.
Have some measurable indicators of market validation, such as users/paying customers, pipeline of potential users/paying customers, revenues if any, etc.

READ THE PROGRAM'S FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS READ THE INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
How to apply
FAQ

Why join?

We select mission-driven entrepreneurs who understand their customers and can execute on their vision.

Our accelerator’s goal is to remove obstacles in the company creation process while facilitating networking, knowledge and business opportunities.

Don’t expect us to build the business for you!
By joining the B4i Accelerator, entrepreneurs will be part of a platform of expertise and services specifically designed to help them scale.

The eight benefits

Access to a network of expertise and mentors linked to Bocconi Professors, Alumni across continents and industries, and beyond
Direct access to talent from Bocconi and our university partners, from bachelors to the MBAs
On campus, modern office space shared with other startups
Legal Clinics (pro bono legal consulting) support for 6 months
Digital marketing support for the entire duration of the program
Business Development and Sales channels particularly focused on B2B customers
Discounted services from Bocconi and our partners, including databases, cloud hosting, payments systems, CRM, and more
An investment of €30k in your startup in exchange for up to 5% equity<

Legal Clinics

The Legal Clinics are a special program of Bocconi University offering professional legal assistance to support your business. In collaboration with established Italian law firms and notary offices, we provide free legal counseling to the startups participating in the Pre-Acceleration and Acceleration programs.

Learn more

Acceleration tracks

We offer deeper knowledge and specialized support and network on 3 specific vertical tracks.

Digital Tech

This vertical focuses on the main enabling technologies available today that are applicable to a wide array of industries. Examples include: B2B + B2C software, cybersecurity, fintech, insuretech, deep tech,
e-commerce/marketplaces and AI.

Massimo Della Ragione
Head of Digital Tech Vertical,
Professor of Practice at Bocconi University

Made in Italy

We look for projects focusing on internationally scalable Italian excellences alongside creative industries like Food, Fashion, Design, Industry 4.0, and Arts, Culture and Leisure.

Gabriella Lojacono
Head of Made in Italy Vertical,
Director Executive Master in Luxury Management, EMiLUX

Sustainability

The reach of our accelerator extends to climate-compatible businesses solving some of the world’s biggest problems, such as mitigating the climate emergency, developing new materials, shifting to an efficient, circular model, advancing on clean energy, and more.

Stefano Pogutz
Head of Sustainability Vertical,
Director Full Time MBA 2022

Speakers

By joining the Bocconi community, founders will have access to the services that are usually dedicated to students and staff.

Bocconi Alumni

Many of the Bocconi Alumni are founders themselves, if not investors or managers. Entrepreneurs will benefit from the vast expertise and learn from the diverse experiences of the Alumni who are part of our community.

Bocconi Library

While working on campus, entrepreneurs will have access to a vast array of databases from the Bocconi Library (in-person access only), gaining that competitive edge when assessing users, investors and competitors.

Become
an Alumnus Angel

If you are a Bocconi Alumnus interested in scouting and investing in early stage companies on an individual basis, consider becoming an Alumnus Angel. Since most of our startups begin looking for funding as they complete the Acceleration program, we are opening a communication channel to provide selected information to angel investors within the Alumni community.

Learn more

Become
a Mentor

Being a mentor is an engaging way of sharing your skills, supporting innovative startups and expanding your business network. At B4i we are always looking for experienced and willing professionals ready to get involved and contribute to the development of business innovation.

Find out what we offer and what it takes to join us.

Learn more

Acceleration program
Enabling your startup to reach product-market fit

€8.5M

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