With Future Forest #accelerate, we want to support forest- and climate-related start-ups in particular in validating their innovations, developing a go-to-market strategy or preparing their financing round. For the programme, we are therefore primarily looking for start-ups that have already developed a business model or, at best, a prototype and are pursuing an entrepreneurial objective. However, this also includes non-profit orientated companies. With #accelerate, we are also addressing start-ups with a sustainable and impact-orientated approach, i.e. you are aiming for or have already achieved social and/or ecological added value with your innovation.

Please allow enough time for your application. It will take you about 20-30 minutes to fill out the application form. In the form we ask you about the following things: 

1. Key data and contact details for your startup and you as founder.
   
2. Basic information about your startup, e.g. in which phase your company is currently.
3. Description of your innovation, your desired impact and the competencies of the founding team.
   
4. Your specific needs, especially for mentoring. Specific information will help us to connect you with the right mentors.
   
5. Optional: Finally, you can send us further attachments such as pitch decks.

Basically yes, as long as a recognisable product or service is available, at best even a prototype. However, we recommend registering for our pillar 1, Future Forest #connect, first. In this program we offer workshops to build up know-how and organise partner events, which are primarily about the development of business ideas.

By participating in the programme, you will be supported in identifying potential customers and developing financing options for your startup. You can also qualify for our other scaling programmes, in which we support you with financing and/or market entry, including through funded pilot projects. 

The accelerator programme itself has an equivalent value of around €25,000 thanks to individual support, free coaching and mentoring, high-quality workshops and the assumption of accommodation and meals. Part of the sum is subject to de-minimis funding from the state of Saxony-Anhalt. You will receive a notification of €12,220.38 at the end of the programme. In total, you can receive up to €300,000 in de minimis-relevant funding over 3 years.

After the application deadline, we go through the individual applications and select promising submissions for our validation sprint. We will invite them to the final decision session at the Future Forest Forum. Here you can take advantage of all activities and sessions for 3 days and benefit from intensive networking. We will cover all accommodation costs, please organise your own travel arrangements. After the forum, we will inform you promptly by email whether you have made it into the #accelerate programme or not. If necessary, we will then organise further individual appointments with you via video call to clarify your needs.

We will then kick off the programme with a digital meeting where you can get to know your assigned mentor.

With #accelerate, we want to support you in evaluating your business model in order to bring your innovations to the market or application as quickly as possible. During the selection process, we will therefore evaluate your degree of innovation, check whether your product/service fits in with our focus topics, how you are positioned as a founding team, whether there is a potential match with our mentors and partners and whether there is a sustainable objective. It is also interesting for us and our partners to know whether you would like to set up a business at the Blankenburg Castle Innovation Campus or utilise the excellent infrastructure in Saxony-Anhalt.

In the selection for the 2nd phase (incubation), the jury pays particular attention to the performance of your pitch and whether your innovation has potential for a cooperation and/or pilot project.

Our goal is to build a new ecosystem around innovation topics related to forests and climate change. To this end, we have created Europe's first accelerator for forests and climate, which addresses the relevant challenges in order to maintain and strengthen the resilience of forests. Through our programmes, you will become part of a unique network with numerous points of contact and a wide range of support opportunities. You will also present yourselves at the most important innovation event in Europe in the context of forests and climate, the Future Forest Forum, and position yourselves as an attractive player and partner for a large number of stakeholders from our network.

The accelerator programmes in #connect and #accelerate are free of charge, as we currently finance the accelerator via partners and funding. Only travel and transport costs may be incurred. Accommodation costs, workshops, coaching and catering are included. However, the Validation Sprint is subject to de-minimis funding. This means that you do not have to pay anything, but you may have to declare the amount of €12,200.38 for possible further funding (you can receive up to €300,000 in EU subsidies within 3 years).

The program of #accelerate 2023 can be found here on the website. Each year the content varies slightly to respond to the current needs of startups and the market. Some program items have now become established as fixed components, such as pitching your startup at the annual Future Forest Forum, or networking events where you can make exciting contacts with our large community. Another important component is our mentoring program, which we supplement with targeted coaching and workshops. Before the program begins, we will inform you about the detailed program schedule. By the way, compared to usual accelerators, we give great importance to offering you nature experiences and letting you enjoy the unique atmosphere of Blankenburg Castle.

In #accelerate, we expect participation in the online and on-site formats and appointment commitments at meetings with your mentors, partners, and coaches. Otherwise we don't make any further requirements - we just want to develop and scale solutions for the forests of the future together with you.