Mentor guidelines 2018 AN INITIATIVE OF IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Overview 2018 Kickstart Accelerator bridges the gap between startups, corporates, cities, foundations and universities to accelerate deep tech innovation across different verticals, bringing together key actors in these fields. Kickstart Accelerator is an initiative of Impact Hub Zürich in partnership with digitalswitzerland. Each year, Kickstart brings around 60 entrepreneurs to Switzerland to collaborate with key players for proof-of-concepts, pilot projects and other innovation partnerships. In 2018, Kickstart runs four verticals (6-10 startups per vertical) focusing on deep technologies (science and engineering driven technologies such as AI, Big Data, Blockchain and others) in Zurich: EdTech & Learning, FinTech & Crypto, Food & Retail Tech, Smart Cities & Infrastructure.
Role What is a mentor? KSAcc Mentors have a track record as an entrepreneur and want to share their knowledge and experiences with the next generation of entrepreneurs. Your role as a mentor As a KSAcc Mentor You are genuinely motivated to work with entrepreneurs and give your best to support the development of your mentee and his/her startup You are a guide, who shares his/her knowledge and experience and who does not try to control, but acknowledges that the teams have to take their own decisions You are a door-opener who connects with his/her networks when appropriate You provide your mentee with actionable advice and challenge him/her in a constructive way
What we offer you Compensation of CHF 1000 for travel expenses Access to a wide network of other experts, mentors, investors, corporate partners and many more Exposure on our website and on our social media channels Tickets to all major events Access to the Kickstart Accelerator space (the innovation space Kraftwerk Selnaustrasse 25, 8001 Zurich)
Guidelines 1 mentor per startup Time requirements: total of min. 29h, divided into: 17h: 10 weeks (2h per week for the 7 weeks of the Collaboration Sprints and 1h per week for the break period) mentoring your startup (you are free to decide together with your startup how you use this time) 2h: mentor onboarding 2h: mentoring kick-off event 8h: reserved for supporting other KSAcc startups with your expertise, facilitated by KSAcc team Mentor-mentee match making will take place once the startups are selected Number of mentors in the KSAcc mentor pool exceeds number of startups, therefore mentor spots can t be guaranteed until after the mentor-mentee matching
Timeline 2018 Key dates & events Key dates & events Application start Application deadline Final Selection (bootcamp) Startups confirmed Mentor matching Mentor onboarding event Apr 16 April 3 May 27 July 9-10 July 17 July August TBA Collaboration Planning Sprint Mentoring kick-off event Collaboration Sprint Opening Ceremony Mentor & Expert Get Together Investor Summit Closing Ceremony Sept 3 - Sept 7 1st week of Sept Oct 1 - Nov 9 Oct 4 TBA Nov 8 Nov 9 Jul 10 Apr 3 Outreach Phase Sept 7 Sept 3 Selection Phase Onboarding Phase Planning Sprint Recruiting and onboarding of mentors and experts Active outreach phase Onboarding of the startups Selection phase of the startups with partners and experts Oct 1 Break Nov 9 Collaboration Sprint Implementation of PoCs and other collaborations Planning of PoCs and other collaborations Numerous events and formats focused on - PoC initiation - Business development - Mentorship and learning - Networking in Switzerland Dec Wrap-up Lessons learned Launching Kickstart 2019
Startup selection We encourage mentors to be part of the selection process. There are two different steps in the selection process where mentors can get involved: Screening and Bootcamp. An overview of the process can be found here. During the screening phase (June 21 - July 1) each of the top 50 startups per vertical will be evaluated by KSAcc team, corporate partners and external experts (mentors and others) based on a criteria set. The evaluation happens directly on the application/evaluation platform. External judges are expected to judge at least 10 startups and provide at least 30 words of feedback. In the final selection bootcamp (July 9-10) 12-20 startups per vertical are invited to Zürich to pitch to a jury composed of KSAcc team, corporate partners and external experts (mentors and others). There are limited seats available for mentors.
SEE YOU AT KICKSTART ACCELERATOR 2018 AN INITIATIVE OF IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
APPENDIX
2017 Highlights 30 startups, 30 mentors, 55 experts 30 PoCs and other partnerships 60+ Masterclasses & Workshops 220+ 1-on-1 s with experts 250+ Investor meetings & engagements 230+ meetings & office hours with partners CHF 8 million of investments; CHF 18m since Kickstart launch Total CHF 550'000+ in grants for startups 9415 social media fans, total reach 3 million Media coverage: 205 articles since January, incl. The Guardian, Forbes and others
Winners & Runner-up Fjuul provides an engagement platform that enables insurers to grow their business at lower risk. Apiax transforms complex regulations into easy-to-use digital compliance rules. AAAccell is a leading innovation company in asset- and risk management developing cutting-edge high-tech solutions for the financial service market.
Winner & Runner-up FlavorWiki s patent pending technology helps food retailers and producers create better products, improve customer targeting and deliver a more engaging food experience to consumers. Farmerline connects small-scale farmers to information services, innovative finance, and markets to improve their incomes.
Winner & Runner-up ifuture Robotics provides autonomous robots for smart logistics. RADical provides AI-powered 3D human motion tracking for media & entertainment, robotics and smart cities
Winner & Runner-ups HawaDawa enables clean air solutions with their real-time data from an IoT based sensor network. Spark Horizon is building and operating the first free charging network for electric cars across Europe uhoo monitors and analyzes indoor air quality and provides recommendations to create a healthier home and workplace
The Venue: Kraftwerk Kraftwerk is the innovation and collaboration hotspot of Switzerland located in the heart of Zurich. The former transformer station turned into an inspiring work and event space is the home of Kickstart Accelerator during the six weeks collaboration sprint. Thus, partners can also access Kraftwerk during this time for meetings & coworking. Kraftwerk is an initiative of digitalswitzerland, Engagement Migros, ewz and Impact Hub Zürich. More information: www.kraftwerk.host