We are preparing for Pitch Day Impact Creators
Pitch Day Impact Creators is the final event of the Impact Creators acceleration program, organized by Impact Hub Bucharest & PurposeTech. It will take place on February 4, 2025, at Impact Hub Bucharest, Str. Tudor Arghezi, no. 8-10, and will showcase the seven most promising startups from the program. One or more of these startups will have the chance to secure funding of up to 100,000 EUR from PurposeTech.
14 startups have been selected for the program
Accessi+ (Romania). Helps organizations transform their online presence (websites, mobile apps, electronic documents, etc.) to make it accessible to people with disabilities, impairments, or the elderly.
Boon (Romania). This startup launched a workplace donation marketplace platform, allowing employees within a company to buy and sell items among themselves, with proceeds going to a local charity chosen by the seller.
BrainFill (Romania). Provides personalized STEM education to teenagers through an AI-based tutoring system.
CarryMatch (Romania). An AI-driven logistics platform that optimizes transport and shipping for companies.
Eddy (Ukraine). An educational management platform that offers features to enhance the learning experience for students, streamline administrative tasks, and facilitate communication between parents and teachers. It currently serves over 3,000 schools.
EcoMeal (Moldova). A mobile app connecting consumers with local restaurants, cafes, and stores, offering near-expiration food products at discounted prices.
InteroCloud (Romania). Develops a SaaS platform for small and medium-sized medical clinics, improving operational efficiency with patient activation and monitoring features.
MAMIT Solutions (Hungary). Offers smart learning solutions, bringing AI into education and corporate training.
RECYCLLUX (Romania). Uses AI, blockchain, and satellite observations to create a transparent and efficient waste management system for marine waste. It facilitates complete cleanup interventions through an online portal.
RongoDesign (Romania). A biotechnology company that uses mycelium technology to convert agro-industrial waste into sustainable materials for the construction industry, such as mycelium-based insulation panels.
Tabook (Romania). A management platform for physical and digital books that encourages reading through gamification and social interaction, allowing users to view friends’ libraries and borrow books.
TexWheel (Romania). Develops automated solutions for the textile recycling industry, enhancing the sorting and reuse process.
TropicStream (Czech Republic). Offers innovative bioprocessing technology that uses microorganisms to improve the nutritional and functional value of food industry waste, supporting sustainability and circular economy goals.
VERT (Romania & UK). A SaaS platform that helps the construction industry reduce carbon emissions from the design stage, addressing the need for decarbonization in line with net-zero goals.
What we offer?
All the selected startups in the program have the chance to receive up to 100,000 EUR in investment from PurposeTech, participate in workshops led by experts, access Startarium eXperience courses for free, take advantage of networking opportunities, and connect with investors suitable for their needs.
Additionally, the startup that obtains the investment will receive post-program benefits, including: six months of personalized support tailored to your business needs (such as 1:1 legal and financial consulting, marketing and sales workshops, etc.), a coworking subscription at Impact Hub Bucharest, access to various community events, 1:1 mentorship with an experienced entrepreneur, additional pitching opportunities, and industry connections.
Why us?
At Impact Hub Bucharest, we count on the impact of startups as an essential ingredient for success. We support them from the early stages to scaling, providing adequate support for each stage. Together with PurposeTech, our trusted partner in impact investing in Central and Eastern Europe, we will provide this first cohort a unique blend of resources and expertise to ensure the success of their initiatives.
Who is it for?
This program is for you if you have a startup in the very early stages of development / pre-seed and meet as many of the following criteria as possible:
- You have a business idea with the potential to generate revenue and scale through technology.
- You have an initial version of your product with some early traction (it is okay if you haven’t generated revenue yet!).
- You have a small team working on the first version of your product.
- You are in the process of fundraising or planning to start soon.
- Your startup operates in health, education, or sustainability.
- You are based in Romania or Central and Eastern Europe.
Program Benefits
Invvestment
The opportunity to attract an investment of up to € 100,000
Hands-on workshops
Receive real-time feedback and quickly develop the skills needed to meet the demands of your growing business
Self-paced learning
Free access to the Startarium Xperience courses for all of the selected members, for the duration of the program
Community
You will be part of the Impact Hub Bucharest community of entrepreneurs with acces in co-working space (tailored for each selected startup)
Perfect Pitch
Culminate your experience with a Pitch Day, presenting your business to a panel of potential investors and industry experts, compete for a € 100,000 investment on behalf of PurposeTech.
Networking
Connect with fellow founders and potential investors to expand your professional networ
Program Timeline
- Program Launch: September 11, 2024
- Application Period: September 11, 2024 – October 24, 2024
- Selection and Announcement of Participants: November 7-8, 2024
- Online Kick-off Meeting with Participants: November 21, 2024
- Bootcamp – Day 1: December 4, 2024
- Bootcamp – Day 2: January 23, 2025
- Pitch Day: February 4, 2025
Registration closed!
Key dates:
- 2 intensive bootcamp days in Bucharest: December 4, 2024 and January 23, 2025
- Pitch Day – February 4, 2025
Participate in our workshops and gain invaluable insights from industry experts. Enjoy personalized support tailored to refine your pitch and elevate your venture.
Over the course of several intensive weeks, you will dive deep into the essentials of business development, from crafting a robust business model to mastering effective marketing strategies. Learn directly from entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders who are eager to guide you to quickly upskill to meet the demands of your growing business.
Bootcamps Agenda
09:00 – 09:20 Check-in
09:20 – 09:30 Intro bootcamp & Icebreaker
09:30 – 11:00 Investment readiness mindset (Oana Craioveanu, Co-founder Impact Hub Bucharest)
11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 13:15 Marketing and Branding (Mihaela Joița, Brand strategist & Founder @ Poarta 9; Andrei Lasc, Founder @ Poarta 9)
13:15 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 16:30 Pitching – training (Adina Crețu, Chief Operations Officer @ Jobful)
16:30 – 16:45 Break
16:45 – 18:15 Peer to peer collaboration sessions
18:00 – 21:00 Innovators for Children pitching and networking (you will join Innovators for Children Pitch Day, the final event of the Impact Hub Bucharest program, which will take place at the same location as the bootcamp)
09:00 – 09:20 Check-in
09:20 – 09:30 Intro bootcamp & Icebreaker
09:30 – 11:00 Investors’ perspective (Fred Fous, Founder & General Partner @ Purpose Tech)
11:00 – 11:15 Break
11:15 – 13:15 Business Model & economics (Petr Šídlo, Co-founder @ Direct People)
13:15 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 Product Market Fit & GTM (Gina Drăgulin, Vice President Product Marketing @ SoSafe)
16:00 – 16:15 Break
16:15 – 17:45 Legal & IP (Ana Maria Andronic, Founding Partner @ Andronic x Partners)
17:45 – 18:15 Break
18:15 – 19:30 Pitching – Rehearsal
Trainers
Oana Craioveanu
Co-founder @ Impact Hub Bucharest
Mihaela Joița
Brand strategist & Founder @ Poarta 9
Andrei Lasc
Founder @ Poarta 9
Adina Crețu
Chief Operations Officer @ Jobful
Zdenek Fred Fous
Founder & General Partner @ PurposeTech
Petr Šídlo
Co-founder @ Direct People
Gina Drăgulin
Vice President Product Marketing @ SoSafe
Ana Maria Andronic
Founding Partner @ Andronic x Partners
How to apply?
Registration closed!
Fill in the application form here.
We will select 20 startups to join the program by November 8, from which 7 will be chosen to pitch in front of investors on February 4.
Make sure to also review the program rules and the additional act.
How much is the participation fee?
If you are selected and your startup is included in the program, giving you access to all its activities and the chance to pitch in front of investors for a potential funding of up to 100,000 EUR, you will need to pay a participation fee of 229 EUR + VAT.
FAQ
Yes, you can apply with an idea. However, if you are selected for the program and make it to the final pitching stage where you attract an investment from PurposeTech, you will need to have a legal entity.
A total of 20 startups will be selected to join the program, then 7 of them will be chosen to pitch in front of investors on February 4, 2025.
Here are some examples, but there are more options beyond these:
• Eco-innovation solutions through clean urban mobility
• Green and sustainable solutions for cities and buildings
• Waste management projects
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Solutions to transform food systems and logistics chains
• Environmental education projects
• Circular economy development projects
• Solutions to reduce industrial emissions
• New processes, green technologies, and services that make economic activities more eco-friendly
• Methods and solutions to reduce the environmental impact of production
• Solutions that encourage responsible consumption
• Projects focused on green, clean, and renewable energy production
• Eco-friendly transport solutions
• Technological and AI solutions with a positive environmental impact
• Projects for developing sustainable materials
The Impact Creators program is open to startups from Romania and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine.
No, you don’t need to prepare anything. Just bring your enthusiasm!
Except for the kick-off meeting with the selected participants (on November 21, 2024) and the individual study on the Startarium eXperience platform, which takes place online, all other activities, including the two bootcamp days (December 4, 2024, and January 23, 2025) and Pitch Day (February 4, 2025), will be held in person in Bucharest.
The participation fee covers all activities during the 2 bootcamp days and Pitch Day (a demo day where you present your business to a group of potential investors and industry experts and compete for an investment of up to 100,000 EUR from PurposeTech), as well as access to the Startarium eXperience courses. Logistics and other expenses (such as transportation and accommodation) are not included in the fee and are the participant’s responsibility.
1. Create an account on the learning platform.
2. Confirm your email address.
3. Enroll in one of the courses on the platform.
4. After completing the 4 modules of each course, you’ll receive a final quiz.
5. At the end of the course, you can complete a final project for which you’ll receive feedback from the trainer.
6. You will then be declared a graduate.
No, the investment is not guaranteed. The race to obtain an investment includes the 7 startups selected for this final phase and depends entirely on the pitches and the decision of the PurposeTech partner to invest or not in a particular startup.
The investment granted to the participant may vary in value, with no predetermined minimum amount, and is contingent upon the quality of the pitches presented and the Partner’s discretionary decision to invest in the participant’s startup
The startup that secures the investment will receive a Balance Pass 4 membership (4 entries/month), valid for 3 months starting from February 5, 2025
All program activities will be conducted in English.
Organizers
Impact Hub Bucharest
Impact Hub Bucharest is the dynamic space where professionals and entrepreneurs work to develop business projects and initiatives. Since 2012, Impact Hub Bucharest is the first coworking space in Romania, with a community of over 3000 members in Bucharest. Globally, the organization is present in over 100 locations in over 50 countries. Impact Hub Bucharest’s mission is to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering startup acceleration programs and direct funding, as well as the largest online platform for entrepreneurial education – Startarium.
PurposeTech
PurposeTech is a pre-seed fund that invests in startups focused on health, sustainability and education in Central and Eastern Europe. We back purpose-driven founders. We are their very first investor and one of their most valued partners in their journey to change the world. PurposeTech was founded by serial entrepreneur Zdenek Fred Fous and Impact Hub – a global network dedicated to empowering impact-driven entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators.
