THE FIRST MAKERS – ACCELERATOR IN EUROPE
Accelerating makers and designers’ ideas
through a hands-on approach to boot-strapping.
Five months free program in Nod community and makerspace.
Program partners:
WHAT IS AN ACCELERATOR?
Startup accelerators, also known as seed accelerators, are fixed-term, cohort-based programs that include seed investment, connections, mentorship, educational components, and culminate in a public pitch event or demo day to accelerate growth.
WHAT IS
LEVEL-UP?
Duration: 5 weeks;
Goal: innovators work on the validation approach to develop a design product that people would want to buy. The validation approach is based on the lean start-up principle: it helps the innovator maximize learning, in a short amount of time, using a minimum amount of resources. Innovators are challenged to sharply look at their business model, segment, team and financial model.
Results: Ready for Validation.
Duration: 9 weeks;
Goal: Innovators work on their first prototype, and improve it through continued feedback and validation. They get hands-on guidance while accessing key partners and prospects, which represent an important gateway to get a proof of market. They improve their launching strategies, and are encouraged to share key learning, failures and best practices with peers.
Results: Prototype + proof of Market.
Duration: 5 weeks;
Goal: Innovators finalize their business and financial plan, attend a pitch training to practice their pitch and they will work with mentors to improve both pitch content and performance. Furthermore, they get ready for an international crowd-funding campaign: create the website, make a professional video, and work with PR professional to prepare their product launch.
Results: Product launch.
INTEGRATED APPROACH
We deliver a professional acceleration program that successfully engages innovators, mentors, field-experts, customers and partners, while providing the tools, know-how and physical resources needed to launch a successful, ready-to-scale product.
1. Offline Master Classes
10 master classes, spread across the 3 phases, which provide innovators with a solid business foundation to move forward rapidly.
2. Online acceleration platform
Online collaborative ecosystem for business modeling and mentoring.
3. Business coaching
A selection of experienced mentors provide weekly coaching, structured around your business needs and tailored to effectively fill the identified gaps.
4. Space, tools & equipments
Full membership at Nod makerspace and access to special tools and equipment, needed to build, test and improve your product prototype.
5. Tailored technical support
Know-how and assistance in:
- Refining the product concept;
- Choosing the right materials;
- Estimating feasibility and costs;
- Using equipments to build functional prototypes.
6. Pre-sale trough crowdfunding
The crowdfunding campaign will be launched in Indiegogo. Support will be provided with website, photography, video and PR.
NOT SURE? SEE THE VIDEO!
BUILDING NEW IDEAS.
MAKING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN.
winning teams
intense weeks
Tools & equipments
mentoring hours
MENTORS & TRAINERS
Adrian Enache
Product Designer
Alex Moise
Creative Industries Director Banca Transilvania
Andreea Nițoi
Brand Thinking Consultant & Facilitator
Carla Szabo
Product Designer
Cristian Burcea
Regional Manager Micro-financing Banca Transilvania
Florin Cobuz
Program manager Nod makerspace
Emanuele Musa
CEO Babele
Dragos Nicolaescu
Business Angel
Jasseem Allybokus
CTO Visiperf
Monica Jitariuc
Managing Director MSL The Practice & Social Media Educator
Matei Dumitrescu
Business Angel
Mihai Jumuga
Power Tools Expert Trainer Bosch
Mihai Toma
Electronics & 3D Printing Consultant
Ruxandra Creosteanu
CEO Nod Makerspace
Sabina Baciu
Communication Expert
Sorin Chirica
Production Manager Nod makerspace
Stefan Ghenciulescu
Architect & Lecturer UAUIM
Vlad Andriescu
Cheif Editor Start-up.ro
Victor Draghicescu
Lawyer & Partner Right House
Andrei Tache
Designer DTM Designers, Thinkers, Makers
Mihnea Ghildus
Designer & Owner Dizainăr
Bogdan Florin Ceobanu
Entrepreneurship & Innovation at European Commission
Adnana Popa
Managing Partner Sago Finance
CROWDFUNDING ON
CROWDFUNDING ON
All the projects will be launched in Indiegogo, the crowdfunding platform that counts +6 million subscribers from over 100 countries.
The last phase of Level-Up will focus on the campaign preparation;
Support will be provided with website, photography, video and PR;
The goal is “product-pre-sale”: to consolidate the customer base;
Participants will have 1 month to reach the target of 5,000Euro;
TIMELINE
Project registration
Participants selection
Jury Announcement
Lean Startup & Problem Validation
Market, risks & opportunities
Value Proposition Development
Brand theory
Business Modeling
Production Planning
Marketing & Sales Strategy
Financial planning
Strategy for Growth
Pitching & Storytelling
PR + Crowdfunding
Prototypes final tweaks
Crowdfunding final tweaks
Demo-day & Products Launch
FROM OUR MENTORS
“Chase the vision, not the money; the money will end up following you.”
“What do you need to start a business? Three simple things: know your product better than anyone, know your customer, and have a burning desire to succeed.”
“Starting your own business is like riding a roller coaster. There are highs and lows and every turn you take is another twist. The lows are really low, but the highs can be really high. You have to be strong, keep your stomach tight, and ride along with the roller coaster that you started.”
LET’S STARTS SOMETHING NEW!
If you’re ready to get your idea to the market, hit this button and tell us about it!
A FEW QUESTIONS…
…that our community is usually asking. And answers.
Who can apply for this program?
LEVEL UP targets European Makers and Artisans with a clear product idea. Criteria for selecting applicants are:
- Development readiness: The applicant must have validated the product concept and come with a
- Commitment: applicants must have made reasonable steps to refine their initial idea and advance toward the creation of a first prototype;
- Feasibility & cost: The product must be realizable within the program’s budget and scope. There must be a fit with the competences it requires and those that the Nod community can provide.
- Innovation and Coolness: The product must be truly innovative and original (e.g. breakthrough design, original use, innovative material, etc.)
How much does it costs?
Not only the program is Free of charge for Participants, but we also provide you with the funding to develop your High Definition prototype. Compared to similar program, we don’t get shares of your company, nor we ask you a part of your revenues.
How much time do I have to invest in this?
The program requires in average 2 hours for the master class + 1 hour of mentoring + (at least) 1 hour to work on your prototype, per week. So that’s a commitment of at least 4 hours every week during 3 months.
Do I have to do the crowdfunding campaign?
The Crowdfunding campaign aims to help each product find its first customer segment. It is a pre-sale opportunity that allows each of you to get some real feedback on the super cool product that you have developed during the program. So we highly recommend each entrepreneur to do this invaluable experience. The last phase of Level-Up will focus on the crowdfunding campaign preparation, so we will help you creating a website, do awesome photography, make a video, implement a powerful PR and media strategy. It will be an exhilarating experience!
What about copyright?
The Product, strategy and legal entity that you will develop during the LEVEL UP program is owned by you and your team. We neither get royalties from your sales nor require equity from your venture.
HAVE ANOTHER ONES?
If you don’t think your idea can fit in this program,
ask us before throwing it into your brain garbage.
ARE YOU READY NOW?
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Level-Up si a program designed by:
Business Partner
Tools Partner
