From dream to business. Learning for those who do not miss opportunities
WHO IS IT FOR?
If you dream of your own startup but don't know where to start, join the KSE Graduate Business School's Startup Ecosystem programme and make your dream come true! We are looking for talented and courageous participants who are ready to work on their idea from 0 to MVP, which will be invested.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
● 80 academic hours of training in business basics● workshops from Ukrainian and foreign experts● opportunity to validate the idea and create an MVP● development of a step-by-step business plan● mentoring support from professional startups
WHAT IS THE OUTCOME?
The finalists will have the opportunity to attract the first investments for the development of their own business. The programme was created to develop innovative solutions in the areas of Agriculture, Green Tech, Demining, Logistics, Health Tech, Robotics, Manufacturing and IT/AI, which are crucial for the development of Ukraine's economy.
Mistake Marathon
The start of your Marathon and the first event in the Startup Ecosystem programme. Here, you will learn about the failures and victories of Ukrainian startups and make sure that mistakes are experience, without which there is no success.
You will receive your first assignment - to write a motivation letter answering the question: "What positive impact do I want to make by taking the opportunity to become a member of the Startup Ecosystem?"
The jury will select 100 of the most motivated future founders who will move on to the next stage of the programme.
DONE
Innovation Day
100 participants from the previous stage will continue their studies at Innovation Day in December. You will work on your own idea in one of the 8 proposed areas - you will learn how to validate your idea, modify it to meet the needs of the audience, and pitch it to investors. You will attend lectures and workshops from KSE GBS professors and guest speakers who will immerse you in the world of startups.
Your second task is to present your idea and describe the problem it solves, the target audience, and competitors. The best 80 ideas will move on to the next stage of the programme.
DONE
Best Idea Development Stage
Here, we select the best ideas to turn the teams' work into full-operating start-ups. It is at this stage that the ideas of the selected teams will begin to turn into MVPs - minimum viable products.
DONE
MVP Stage
The selected teams from the previous stage will start creating their own MVP (minimum viable product). Participating startups will learn areas of competitor analysis, pricing modeling, design thinking, financial planning, and working with the target audience to get the first feedback on the MVP. Your team will receive a practical task: to collect feedback from the potential target audience on the product, which is developing. During the presentation of the results at the end of the MVP Stage, participants will have the opportunity to receive feedback from experts in the form of advice/questions/comments during the MVP Crash Test.
DONE
Investment Prototype Stage
You're almost at the finish line! The Investment\ Prototype Stage will focus on preparing startups to attract investment for further development. Teams will receive training in pitching, business plan development, and grant writing. They will also develop skills in presenting their projects to stakeholders and future investors, launching pilot projects and IT products, and take part in a workshop on low-code methodology and a practical lean manufacturing game.
We are preparing for the final of the programme - Demo Day!
DONE
Demo Day
The day has come! It's your big moment to pitch your startup idea to potential investors, jury members and invited guests of Demo Day. The winner will get the opportunity to travel to Berlin and present their startup at Stage Two, one of the largest European competition for the best startups from leading universities, and meet a future angel investor. May the Force Be With You.
DONE
Innova Europe
This year, KSE joined a team of 9 European business schools together with POLIMI Graduate School of Management, ESMT Berlin, IE Business School and others to jointly create innovative projects in the field of sustainability.
The winners of the Ukrainian competition will go to the grand final in Paris and compete for the main prizes - 5 thousand euros (for the formed idea) and 20 thousand euros (for the MVP stage). The Grand Final will take place in Paris on 26 September 2024.
DONE
Techstars Startup Weekend
Techstars Startup Weekend is a part of the global Techstars initiative that helps startups from all over the world grow into large successful companies. More than 150 countries, thousands of success stories, and one of them will be yours this October in Kyiv!
The five best teams will have a chance to get into the KSE Startup Ecosystem incubation programme and further develop their project!
Join the Startup Ecosystem mentor team! Leave your application
Startup Workshop
Startup Hackathon
Mistake Marathon
Innovation Day
Idea Development
Demo Day
EDUCATION SUPPORTERS
INFORMATION SUPPORTERS
PROGRAM PARTNER
How long is the programme?
The programme lasts for 7 months, during which you will work on developing your own startup idea and validating it, creating an MVP and assembling your cool team.
The programme will be accompanied by support and mentoring from Ukrainian and foreign mentors, business experts and lecturers from KSE Graduate Business School.
Is there an approved list of sectors for creating startups?
Yes, the programme was created to develop innovative solutions in the sectors of Agriculture, GreenTech, Demining, Logistics, HealthTech, Robotics, Manufacturing and IT/AI, which are crucial for the development of Ukraine's economy.
All programme participants work in teams in one of the following sectors
What are the stages of the programme?
0P: Workshop - DONEStartups Fails and Wins
1P: Simple Program - DONEBrainstorming techniques to generate startup ideas (practise)
Lectures: ● Incubators and Accelerators, Community and Ecosystem Builders ● Investors: Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, Corporate Investors● Strategic Partners● Nonprofits and NGO
2P: Idea Development Program
● Introduction to LEAN● Kaizen principle● Market analysis (lecture + workshop)● Building a startup team● Mentors & Advisors● Design thinking● Innovation strategy and management of inventive activity"● Idea Crush Test
3P: MVP Program
● Competitor analysis● Financial planning (cash flow)● Marketing strategy● "Management accounting, cost management ● cost management and costing. Pricing model"● Proof of MVP hypotheses ● Branding (promotion in social networks)● MVP Crush Test
4P: Investment Program
● Presentations and public speaking ● Grants and fundraising● Creating a business plan ● Communication with investors ● Communication with the team● Product launch ● Team management ● Governmental regulations● IT project management
4P: Prototype Program
● Presentations and public speaking ● Grants and fundraising● Creating a business plan ● Communication with investors ● Communication with the team● Intellectual property ● Pilot projects ● Team management ● Prototyping
Pitch DayPitching competition
How much does it cost to participate in the programme?
Participation in the programme is absolutely free.
What is the format of participation?
The programme will be held exclusively offline at the Kyiv School of Economics campus (3 Shpaka St., Kyiv). The event will not be recorded.
Participants from other cities are responsible for their own accommodation and meals during the programme.
Can I work individually?
No, programme participants work in teams. Team size is 4 people.
What will participants receive at the end of the programme?
Teams that have passed all stages of the programme will be given the opportunity to pitch their idea to investors and attract investment for business development.