B4i: Time for the 8th Startup Call

B4i - Bocconi for innovation officially launches its 8th Startup Call opening the applications for the next programs that will begin in September. Aspiring participants can apply by June 25th.

B4i's acceleration and pre-acceleration programs aim to support entrepreneurs and their businesses through the expertise of the team, the resources, and the broader network of Bocconi University.

The programs account mentors and investors from companies such as Satispay, Casavo, Twitter and Bending Spoons, to name a few. The selected startups can also benefit from free legal assistance, dedicated services, and gain visibility through access to ecosystem events such as Techchill Milano, WMF, and more.

Pre-acceleration program
The pre-acceleration program is structured over a 3-month period with over 55 hours of online training sessions held on Saturdays to help founders with previous work or study commitments. Each startup will have up to 2 dedicated mentors to help them work on the validation of their idea through the definition of their business model, competition analysis, marketing & sales strategy, and finally develop an MVP (minimum viable product).

Acceleration program
Early-stage startup founders can apply to the 4-month acceleration hybrid program, which is focused on three verticals: Digital Tech, Made in Italy, Sustainability.
Founders receive an upfront cash investment of €30.000 in exchange for up to 5% of equity, coaching from the B4i team, fundraising support throughout the program and beyond, along with services such as 6-month legal assistance, on-campus office space, digital marketing support, and mentorship from leading professionals.

How to apply
Applicants should propose innovative solutions that solve existing problems and always back up their projects with data on market validation. While presenting the Unique Selling Proposition (USP), founders should also demonstrate how their business stands up from the competition. The team itself is an essential ingredient for a successful application, and B4i carefully evaluates each member's experience, and how complementary they are to each other.

To facilitate you through the application process, you can consult a comprehensive guide and recommendations on how to properly fill the questions and structure you pitch.