TIME TO MAKE IT REAL!
Teams with at least two members can submit their applications here.
‘We want to address all those projects that are waiting for their first paying customers. Those ideas being cosseted somewhere in the comfort of halls of residence, or kept going as an alternative to finding a job, ideas always being discussed in the pub with friends and which need to be prodded into life. Our intensive two-month, jam-packed course should offer just the momentum people need to finally manifest their project, test it and release it to the world in a meaningful and profitable form,’
says JIC STARCUBE Manager Hana Šudáková, describing the accelerator’s target audience.
The accelerator programme is entirely in English, starts on 15th January and lasts 2 months. It will cover all the important topics on how to accelerate a business – from creating value and understanding customers through to transferring technological know-how from partners. Getting through the selection process, governed by JIC and its partners, and into the accelerator will be a maximum of ten teams. These can then get 100 thousand crowns towards their stay in Brno, as well as a budget for legal, marketing and finance services. Chosen JIC STARCUBE graduates will additionally be able to continue on an individual six-month follow-up programme.
This year, for the first time, finalists have an opportunity to use the recently opened FabLab Brno, whose nearly 200 m2 of lab space offers several types of 3D printer, a laser engraver, CNC machine as well as mechanical tools, kits and accessories for the IoT, with which they can assemble their prototypes.
‘Once trained, finalists will have non-stop access to the lab. Our workshop is moreover situated right at JIC, two floors above the STARCUBE Space, where most of the accelerator’s programmes will be taking place – so teams will be able to pop up and check how their prototype’s printing is coming along during breaks between workshops,’ explains FabLab Brno Manager, Tomáš Mejzlík. Helping equip the lab are two of the accelerator’s partners – Honeywell and Y Soft.
The list of last year’s technology partners, which in addition to the two already mentioned also featured AVAST, Konica Minolta and Microsoft, is this year expanded to include ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab.
‘Working with global hi-tech startups, we want to create business cooperation models that are reciprocally advantageous. We’re interested in new ideas in mobility and connectivity which could enrich ŠKODA AUTO’s current business. Besides which, we’d also like to work with startups engaged in cyber security, since this will be a key area in future – not just for the automotive industry, but across the board,’
says Jarmila Plachá, Managing Director, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab.