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THE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Define your problem-solution fit
You have stumbled across a potential customer need but are not sure about whether it is a problem worth solving? You have gathered one or two potential co-founders but don’t know how to create a fast-growing startup?
Up2B Exploration is all about getting a clear picture about what we call problem-solution fit. We will support you in asking the right questions and finding potential customers. You will also learn a lot about best-practice in starting a company.
After getting a clear picture about your startup, your business model and growth strategy, you will get the chance to access our network of potential customers or pitch for funding on our Demo Day.
YOUR BENEFITS
What Up2B Exploration offers you
Valuable feedback from experienced mentors
Maximum development in the shortest time
Learn about all relevant business areas
THE MODALITIES
3+2 weeks to get access to the B2B world
You should apply if...
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you are right at the start of a terrific idea that will make the world just a little bit better
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you are about to found your startup or have founded it in the past year
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your business is B2B-focused
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your startup will create change in the field of Industry Tech, Energy, Agriculture, Mobility, IT or SaaS
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your product is in a prototype, pilot or MVP stage
What to expect?
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a programm seperated in bootcamp for all and masterclass for selected startups
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selected workshops and inputs to sharpen your business know-how
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one-on-one coachings with mentors, corporates and B2B experts
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demo Day to pitch your startup in front of our industry network
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free participation with maximum outgrowth
Program period
Bootcamp: November 4th - 22nd, 2024
Masterclass: December 2nd-13th, 2024
Bootcamp program will consist of about 5,5 full days of workshops, key notes and 1-on-1 sessions.
Masterclass will consist of 2 days, but mainly split into individual 1-on-1 sessions with experts and mentors.
Application deadline
The application deadline is on Oktober 20th 2024 at 23:59.
Program location
The program takes place in a hybrid setting.
The sessions can take place on location in Heidelberg (Heidelberg Technology Park), Walldorf (innoWerft - Technology and Start-up Center) and Mannheim (MAFINEX Technology Center) or online via Zoom.
The exact place of participation will be announced.
Program costs
Since Up2B is funded by Startup BW and Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics, Labour and Tourism, the participation is free including food and beverages during the program on site. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
THE MENTORS
The mentors & experts you will meet
Collin Bennett
Pitch coach
Dr. Markus Pilz
Chairman
vectorsoft AG
Bartosz Kajdas
Science-Tech Venture Building Expert
Pitch-Competition-Alert
THE CORPORATES
The companies you will meet
IMPRESSIONS FROM PREVIOUS ITERATIONS
Get a feeling about the program
FAQ
Frequently asked about Up2B Exploration
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Who can apply?Startups with a with a B2B focus from the fields of IT, digitalisation, industry 4.0, high-tech, big data or Internet of Things (IoT) , chemistry, energy, ...
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When is the application deadline?The deadline for applications is the 1st of June 2025.
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When do you decide if our team can participate in the program?We will select the attending startups about 3-4 weeks before the program starts. All startups will be notified via E-mail, if they have been selected or not. We might also contact you for an additional interview. At this point, you’ll still have the possibility to either accept or cancel your participation. Once you’ve accepted your participation, cancellation isn’t possible anymore.
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We have not founded the company yet. Can we also apply?No, this program is for startups that are seeking a pre-seed or seed investment. If you haven't founded already "Up2B Exploration" is the right program for you.
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We only have a business idea and want to apply for the Fundraising?The focus of Fundraising is to support startups that want to scale and to get funded. For very early-stage startups we offer our program Up2B Exploration. If your startup is too early-stage for Fundraising, we will inform you.
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Is it necessary to be present at every program day for the whole team?At least one of you has to be present during the whole program period. No show is an exclusion criteria.
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Do we have to pay for the participation or give shares of our company?No, the program is free of charge or equity. The program is funded by Baden-Württemberg’s Startup BW campaign. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
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What is the program language?English. All workshops, presentations and your pitches as well as your application have to be in English, since we expect also international participants. Some of our experts and mentors as well as investors are international, too.
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Can I participate in several programs?Yes, of course! We are convinced of our programs and so are our alumni. That’s why we allow participation in several Up2B programs. Often we receive a lot of applications for one program, so we cannot guarantee you a safe participation in all programs.
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Any other requirementsWe ask you to agree on a support agrrement that governs the mutual relationship between Up2B Accelerator and your companmy. Please finde this agreement attached
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Who can apply?Startups from the fields of IT, digitalisation, industry 4.0, high-tech, big data or Internet of Things (IoT) with a B2B focus.
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When do you decide, if our team can participate in the program?We will select the attending startups about 3-4 weeks before the program starts. All startups will be notified via E-mail, if they have been selected or not. We might also contact you for an additional interview. At this point, you’ll still have the possibility to either accept or cancel your participation. Once you’ve accepted your participation, cancellation isn’t possible anymore.
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I am the only founder in the company. Can I apply?No. You need to be present as a team because we will have several coaching points that will strengthen and develop the startup team.
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We have not founded the company yet. Can we also apply?Yes, we consider startups no matter if they have already founded a company or not.
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Is it necessary to be present at every program day for the whole team?At least one of you has to be present during the whole program period. No show is an exclusion criteria.
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Do we have to pay for the participation or give shares of our company?No, the program is free of charge or equity. The program is funded by Baden-Württemberg’s Startup BW campaign. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
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What is the program language?English. All workshops, presentations and your pitches as well as your application have to be in English, since we expect also international participants. Some of our experts and mentors as well as investors are international, too.
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Can I participate in several programs?Yes, of course! We are convinced of our programs and so are our alumni. That’s why we allow participation in several Up2B programs. Often we receive a lot of applications for one program, so we cannot guarantee you a safe participation in all programs.
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Which startups get into the masterclass?The bootcamp will end with a pitch competition. The best 8 Startups gain acces to the masterclass.
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Who can apply?Startups from the fields of IT, digitalisation, industry 4.0, high-tech, big data or Internet of Things (IoT) with a B2B focus.
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When is the application deadline?You can apply until October 16th, 2022 at 23:59. Unfortunately, we cannot accept further applications after this deadline.
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When do you decide if our team can participate in the program?We will select the attending startups about 3-4 weeks before the program starts. All startups will be notified via E-mail, if they have been selected or not. We might also contact you for an additional interview. At this point, you’ll still have the possibility to either accept or cancel your participation. Once you’ve accepted your participation, cancellation isn’t possible anymore.
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I am the only founder in the company. Can I apply?Yes, you can. We also consider startups with only one founder for the Product Booster program.
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We have not founded the company yet. Can we also apply?Yes, we consider startups no matter if they have already founded a company or not.
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Is it necessary to be present at every program day for the whole team?At least one of you has to be present during the whole program period. No show is an exclusion criteria.
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Do we have to pay for the participation or give shares of our company?No, the program is free of charge or equity. The program is funded by Baden-Württemberg’s Startup BW campaign. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
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What is the program language?English. All workshops, presentations and your pitches as well as your application have to be in English, since we expect also international participants. Some of our experts and mentors as well as investors are international, too.
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Can I participate in several programs?Yes, of course! We are convinced of our programs and so are our alumni. That’s why we allow participation in several Up2B programs. Often we receive a lot of applications for one program, so we cannot guarantee you a safe participation in all programs.
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Who can apply?Startups from the fields of IT, digitalisation, industry 4.0, high-tech, big data or Internet of Things (IoT) with a B2B focus. Furthermore, you have to fulfill the following criteria: your startup is less than 5 years old you want to take the next step from startup to scale up you have more than 10 employees your startup has 1-2 years of revenue and customer growth
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When is the application deadline?You can apply until January 23rd, 2022 at 23:59. Unfortunately, we cannot accept further applications after this deadline.
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When do you decide if our team can participate in the program?We will select the attending startups about 3-4 weeks before the program starts. All startups will be notified via E-mail, if they have been selected or not. We might also contact you for an additional interview. At this point, you’ll still have the possibility to either accept or cancel your participation. Once you’ve accepted your participation, cancellation isn’t possible anymore.
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Is it necessary to be present at every program day for the whole team?At least one of you has to be present during the whole program period. No show is an exclusion criteria.
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Do we have to pay for the participation or give shares of our company?No, the program is free of charge or equity. The program is funded by Baden-Württemberg’s Startup BW campaign. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
-
What is the program language?English. All workshops, presentations and your pitches as well as your application have to be in English, since we expect also international participants. Some of our experts and mentors as well as investors are international, too.
-
Can I participate in several programs?Yes, of course! We are convinced of our programs and so are our alumni. That’s why we allow participation in several Up2B programs. Often we receive a lot of applications for one program, so we cannot guarantee you a safe participation in all programs.
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Who can apply?International (non-german) startups from the fields of IT, digitalisation, industry 4.0, high-tech, big data or Internet of Things (IoT) with a B2B focus. You should have already succeeded abroad and are planning to expand to the German market.
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When is the application deadline?You can apply until 29 June 2025 at 23:59. Unfortunately, we cannot accept further applications after this deadline.
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When do you decide if our team can participate in the program?We will select the attending startups about 2 months before the program starts. All startups will be notified via E-mail, if they have been selected or not. We might also contact you for an additional interview. At this point, you’ll still have the possibility to either accept or cancel your participation. Once you’ve accepted your participation, cancellation isn’t possible anymore.
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Do we have to pay for the participation or give shares of our company?No, the program is free of charge or equity. The program is funded by Baden-Württemberg’s Startup BW campaign. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
-
What is the program language?English. All workshops, presentations and your pitches as well as your application have to be in English, since we expect also international participants. Some of our experts and mentors as well as investors are international, too.
-
Can I participate in several programs?Yes, of course! We are convinced of our programs and so are our alumni. That’s why we allow participation in several Up2B programs. Often we receive a lot of applications for one program, so we cannot guarantee you a safe participation in all programs.
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Who can apply?Startups from the fields of IT, digitalisation, industry 4.0, high-tech, big data or Internet of Things (IoT) with a B2B focus and the goal to improve their sales structures and processes.
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When is the application deadline?You can apply until 2 February 2025 at 23:59. Unfortunately, we cannot accept further applications after this deadline.
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When do you decide if our team can participate in the program?We will select the attending startups about 3-4 weeks before the program starts. All startups will be notified via E-mail, if they have been selected or not. We might also contact you for an additional interview. At this point, you’ll still have the possibility to either accept or cancel your participation. Once you’ve accepted your participation, cancellation isn’t possible anymore.
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We have not founded the company yet. Can we also apply?Yes, we consider startups no matter if they have already founded a company or not. Nonetheless, the Sales Bootcamp makes more sense for startups that have already achieved product-market fit or have an MVP which is ready to be sold. If you are an early-stage startup our Breakthrough program might be better suited for you.
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I am the only founder in the company. Can I apply?Yes, you can. But in our selection of the participants we will prefer startups that have already achieved product-market fit or have an MVP which is ready to be sold.
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Is it necessary to be present at every program day for the whole team?At least one of you has to be present during the whole program period. No show is an exclusion criteria.
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Do we have to pay for the participation or give shares of our company?No, the program is free of charge or equity. The program is funded by Baden-Württemberg’s Startup BW campaign. Please note though that we don’t cover any transport or accommodation costs.
-
What is the program language?English. All workshops, presentations and your pitches as well as your application have to be in English, since we expect also international participants. Some of our experts and mentors as well as investors are international, too.
-
Can I participate in several programs?Yes, of course! We are convinced of our programs and so are our alumni. That’s why we allow participation in several Up2B programs. Often we receive a lot of applications for one program, so we cannot guarantee you a safe participation in all programs.
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When is the application deadline?You can apply until January 21st, 2024 at 23:59. Unfortunately, we cannot accept further applications after this deadline.
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How do I add a new question & answer?To add a new FAQ follow these steps: 1. Click “Manage FAQs” button 2. From your site’s dashboard you can add, edit and manage all your questions and answers 3. Each question and answer should be added to a category 4. Save and publish.
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Can I insert an image, video, or gif in my FAQ?Yes. To add media follow these steps: 1. Enter the app’s Settings 2. Click on the “Manage FAQs” button 3. Select the question you would like to add media to 4. When editing your answer click on the camera, video, or GIF icon 5. Add media from your library.
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How do I edit or remove the “FAQ” title?You can edit the title from the Settings tab in the app. If you don’t want to display the title, simply disable the Title under “Info to Display”.
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What is an FAQ section?An FAQ section can be used to quickly answer common questions about you or your business, such as “Where do you ship to?”, “What are your opening hours?” or “How can I book a service?” It’s a great way to help people navigate your site and can even boost your site’s SEO.
TESTIMONIALS
What the participants say about Breakthrough
Get in touch!
Mathis is your contact person for Up2B Exploration. If you have questions about the program, please don't hesitate to contact him. For further information, please also check our FAQs.
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