The EPICENTRE project is an ambitious acceleration program aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates. The first call for SMEs and Startups identified 25 promising proposals that have the potential to make a significant impact in their respective industries. Let's delve into the Launch Phase of this exciting initiative and explore the opportunities it offers to the selected participants.

Phase 1: LAUNCH PHASE of EPICENTRE project

The Launch Phase is the initial step of the program. It is dedicated to train the participants in the Lean start-up methodology and mentoring designed to equip companies with the skills needed to create a compelling and persuasive pitch deck for the corporate.

During this four-month phase, the selected SMEs will be provided with valuable resources and support to enhance their projects and prepare them for the challenges defined. 

EPICENTRE Academy: Mentoring and Bootcamp

The EPICENTRE Academy plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the SMEs throughout the Launch Phase.

Participants in this phase will have access to up to 16 hours of mentoring support provided by Worsley Acceleration Services, enabling them to fine-tune their project ideas, strengthen their strategies, and identify areas of improvement. Worsley will conduct thorough reviews of their work, offering valuable insights into additional factors, strengths, and weaknesses that may influence the project's success. This personalized mentorship will empower SMEs to make informed decisions and enhance the overall quality of their proposals.

The EPICENTRE Bootcamp is a comprehensive training program designed to equip the SMEs with the necessary skills and knowledge to collaborate effectively with corporates. The bootcamp takes place online, ensuring accessibility to all participants regardless of their geographic location. During the bootcamp, the SMEs will be guided on various aspects, creating a compelling value proposition, and crafting an impactful pitch deck. 

The main objective of the Launch Phase is to enable SMEs to present their projects effectively to the corporate board of EPICENTRE. At the end of this phase, each participating SME is required to submit a "Video Pitch with Value Offer to the Corporates" (D1). This video pitch should showcase the project's potential, value proposition, and how it aligns with the objectives of the corporates.

The submission deadline for the video pitch is set within three months from the formal commencement of the project. Upon successful completion and approval of this crucial milestone, all 25 selected projects will receive EUR 1,400 financial support.

Advancing to the Sustain Phase

Upon the conclusion of the Launch Phase, the EPICENTRE board will assess the performance and potential of each project. From the 25 projects, a total of 12 projects will be selected to advance to the next stage: the Sustain Phase. This phase runs during the following 9 months.

The main outcome of the SUSTAIN phase is the submission of the “Strategic and Technical development Plan of the prototype” and the “Prototype ready to test with Corporates”. Upon completion and approval of these deliverables, all 12 selected projects will receive EUR 31.000 financial support.