Startup Launchpad: Wrocław mentoring programme for young entrepreneurs

Startup Launchpad is a mentoring programme aimed at developing the local startup scene. For three months, young entrepreneurs will be supported by a mentor, one of the creators of a Wrocław startup, who will help them develop their business project.

The initiative is open to startups at a very early stage of development, when they still lack funding, have no revenue, but already have a business idea. They also need to know their target group and have a minimum of two people involved in their business.

Mentors in the programme, on the other hand, are startups that have already raised funding from investors (e.g. Pre-Seed round, Seed round), already have their first customers and a team committed to growing the company.

Six companies will receive mentoring from experienced colleagues

At the end of June, nine projects presented themselves as part of the Startup Launchpad programme at the Academic Business Incubator inQube, from which the jury selected six to participate in mentoring. They will work in mentoring pairs for the next three months, and on 12 October they will present their progress at the Pitch MeetUP conference, organised by Wrocław University of Economics and inQube.

According to Jakub Karkocha, CEO of LightApply, mentor and initiator of the project, the idea was born out of his own experiences and the difficulties that came with creating his startup.

“We noticed a lack of access to fresh views from the outside and the identification of problems that founders may not see at the beginning of their career. That’s why we decided to create a programme where experienced start-ups, who themselves are still at a relatively early stage of development, will share their tips. We want to help young founders by advising them on what to look out for, what to focus on and how to avoid potential mistakes when creating their startup..”
– Jakub Karkocha, CEO LightApply

Chance to really develop their ideas

Coming to the Startup Launchpad programme, startup owners saw it as a great opportunity to develop their ideas.

“We are creating a platform to connect Polish fashion craftsmen with customers. At the moment, our main concern is to have a good understanding of the professionals so that our app responds to their real needs and problems. We want to reach as many people as possible and build our position. Our mentor has a lot of experience working with clients and I am sure he will be able to give great advice on how best to achieve our goals.“
– Anna Stefania Grzebita, CEO Kraftly

“Collaborating with experienced people will allow us to implement the right measures, as well as draw attention to our product from a different perspective. Moreover, we believe that in the programme we will gain valuable knowledge and experience in running a startup.“
– Paulina Wajzer, co-founder SuperviSee.

Entrepreneurs will guide startups along by the hand

According to jury member Antoni Kozelski, CEO and founder of Vstorm and co-founder of Ventures21, this initiative is extremely inspiring because it is based on the core idea that it will be mid-stage entrepreneurs who will lead by the hand those who are just entering the startup world:

– ‘By doing so, we achieve a valuable balance between mentors and programme participants, which is the foundation of a successful match,’ he says.

Level above all expectations

According to jury member Filip Bogdziun, investment manager of Shape VC, the level of the venture exceeded his expectations.

“I expected to find more projects at a very early stage of development, and was surprised by the variety of projects. There are those that are just starting out and need comprehensive startup support. But there are also many advanced candidates who are looking for specialised support in particular business areas and solving problems specific to their industry.“
– Filip Bogdziun, Investment manager Shape VC