The program, funded by the International Visegrad Fund, was created as the region's first startup scholarship program in 2018. Its primary goal is to prepare the participating companies to cross borders and to connect potential business partners in the countries.
In the first round, organizers will select the top five startups from each country to enter the three-day virtual Bootcamp. Mentoring, personalized training, and opportunities to build a network await the participants here. They can also learn from each other, taking advantage of the connection opportunities in the regional ecosystem.
The Bootcamp is followed by a massive, four-week-long business development process. At workshops, you can learn what it takes to expand effectively and acquire the most useful contacts. In addition to the fact that business meetings can even end with cooperation, participants can receive feedback about your product and service in real market conditions.
It is a new element this semester that a dedicated key mentor will help startups in the program, accompanying them through the business development process, helping them incorporate the acquired knowledge into everyday business, providing directions for possible rethink or pivot, and also answering how to show the company's best form at a business meeting.
V4 Startup Force starts on May 4 this year. Startups will take part in online professional programs in the first week led by the Polish, Czech, and Slovak partners. Then in the second and third weeks business meetings organized by the three countries will take place, also online. During the closing week, teams will meet in person and will develop their business in Hungary, with the help of experts. They will get the chance to meet with potential partners and participate in cultural programs.
In recent years, more than 70 startups have participated in more than 350 business meetings during the V4 Startup Force. Several of the Hungarian participants, such as Péntech, Munch, and Briefly, have expanded their businesses or embarked on international expansion based on the knowledge gained in the program. A Slovak startup, YourLox closed three out of three business meetings with a deal in Hungary last semester.
More information about V4 Startup Force is available here.
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