Acceleration
In our accelerator, we accelerate the future of business.
The boost for your idea
Shifthappens is the accelerator program where hope, skills and opportunities come together to create sustainable businesses
Fall call is open
Applications for the Fall Batch are open until September 22nd
open_in_new Applications here
To whom
Individuals or teams, regardless of legal structure with:
- Mature idea
- Business in its early stages
Conditions
Monthly payment, from:
85€
individuals or teams of up to two
or
100€
teams of three or four participants
Format
- Three month program
- Digital incubation included
- Training – shift sessions – in a group
- Spring Batch: applications close in March; kick-off in April
- 6 blocks of after-work sessions on Friday evenings and Saturdays during the day
- Online, nationwide
- Variable modules: impact, sustainability and social business
- Fall Batch: applications close in September; kick-off in September
- 8 Sessions on Friday afternoons, excluding the first of each month
- Hybrid or face-to-face, in Loures
- Variable modules: to be defined according to the needs of the group
Ingredientes
- Shift sessions: capacitação síncrona em grupo
- Entregáveis pré-definidos para teres ritmo e avançares na ideia
- Plataforma online com recursos
- Pitch a investidores/júri mediante avaliação
- Mentoria com rede de mais de 30 mentores
- Comunidade peer2peer e speed pitching
- Eventos e Networking
Journey Plan
Open
Submission of Applications
July 22nd
Opening of applications
September 22nd
Deadline for applications
September 27th – December 27th
Acceleration Program
December 13th
Pitch Day
Starting in January
Incubation by evaluation
“What is not started will never get finished”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
FAQ
How and when can I apply?
Through the registration form available here. There are two acceleration batches per
year: Spring and Fall. Applications for the Spring Batch close in March, with
the program kick-off in April. For the Fall Batch, applications close at the
beginning of September, with the kick-off scheduled for the end of the
month. If your application is selected, you will join one of the batches
What are the criteria for assessing applications?
We will assess the following criteria: relevance
of the problem or opportunity that your project aims to solve or take
advantage of; degree of transformation/impact potentially generated by the
project; the level of innovation in relation to existing responses; a holistic
vision of sustainability; the creation of job(s); the maturity of the proposal;
the candidate’s profile and capacity for execution.
What are the advantages of the acceleration program?
Synchronous group training, very practical and based on tools; online
platform with resources and recordings of the sessions, just a click away;
pre-defined materials to get you up to speed and move forward with your
idea; mentoring and personalized advice; peer2peer sharing and speed
pitching where you can share and debate ideas and overcome challenges;
final Pitch Day in front of a jury of experts and potential partners/investors;
access to events and networking; and access to Ponte’s community and
spaces.
Do I have to be present in person?
No, in our program, the mentoring and
content we provide will be accessible in digital or hybrid format, so you can
apply from anywhere in the country. As a rule, the spring batch is entirely
online and the fall batch is hybrid. Keep an eye on the announcements to
find out what the next batch will be.
How much time do I need?
It is mandatory to attend at least 80% of the sessions, which in the case of the Spring batch
will be grouped into thematic modules, on Fridays (after work, 20h30-22h30)
and Saturdays (mornings and afternoons, 9h30-13h and 14h-15h30). In the
case of the fall course, on Friday afternoons. You can also count on time for
mentoring and your own work on your project.
Does acceleration have costs?
The program costs 85€ per month for individuals or teams of up to 2 participants, and 100€ per month for teams of 3 or 4
participants (can be paid in three monthly installments). We have grant
opportunities so that the cost doesn’t prevent you from taking part.
If I’m not accepted, can I apply again?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply. Try to improve your proposal and submit again.
Check out our training offer to help you in this area.
