Accelerator

StartupYard

Prague, Czech Republic

Central Europe’s longest-running accelerator (since 2011), whose alumni have raised over €100M.

The offer:
$25k per company
Location:
Prague, Czech Republic
Duration:
12 weeks

What you need to qualify

  • A working prototype or MVP ready to demonstrate
  • Commercial launch planned within 6 months, or recently launched
  • At least one co-founder; solo founders are rarely accepted
  • Operating in deep-tech sectors such as AI, cybersecurity or IoT
  • Technology that is difficult to replicate
  • A transactional business model, not eCommerce or advertising based
  • Team located within the Prague timezone (UTC+2), or a similar timezone to Paris, Prague or Berlin
  • A registered company

Eligibility

Eligible stages
All stages
Countries
Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval

How to apply

  1. 1

    Check that you meet every entry criterion

    StartupYard states applicants must meet all of its criteria: a working prototype or MVP, a commercial launch within six months, at least one co-founder, a hard-to-replicate deep-tech product, a transactional business model, a registered company and a team in the Prague timezone.

  2. 2

    Submit a pitch deck, or answer the application questions instead

    The FAQ says that if you have a deck you upload it and StartupYard reviews it in detail, and that if you do not have a deck you can instead answer a series of questions on the application page.

  3. 3

    Go through the selection process for the next batch

    The for-startups page describes a thorough selection process and names Batch 15 as the next wave. The apply page currently shows the Deep-Tech track as Applications Closed, so the next entry point is that batch rather than an open call today.

  4. 4

    Agree the convertible note if you are accepted

    The investment is made as a convertible note, which the FAQ says is valid for 24 months, covering the 45,000 euros in kind plus the optional 25,000 euros in cash.

Frequently asked

The FAQ states a 45,000 euro in-kind investment made through a convertible note, an optional 25,000 euro cash investment for a 70,000 euro note in total, and a follow-on fund with investments of up to 100,000 euros for startups that perform well. The note is valid for 24 months.

The FAQ says StartupYard typically targets around 5 percent equity in your startup.

It is a three-month, fully remote mentorship programme for early to seed-stage startups, run from Prague. No physical presence is required, but the team needs to be in a similar timezone to Paris, Prague or Berlin.

You need at least a solid prototype and to be close to launching, a unique technology problem or a unique approach to an old one with global scaling potential, and a founding team rather than a solo founder. Deep-tech sectors such as AI, cybersecurity and IoT are in scope; eCommerce and advertising business models are not.

The apply page shows the Deep-Tech track as Applications Closed. A separate FinTech track, run with The Fintechers, is accepting applications through a Notion form and takes startups from Europe only.
Deep techBlockchain

Browse more like this: Deep tech accelerators

Related programs

We have not been able to confirm a deadline for this one. Check the official page before you start.

Do I qualify?

3 things decide this one. Check yourself against them before you spend time on the form.

Stage
Pre-seed, Seed
Where it runs
Czech Republic. In person, so you need to be able to take part there
What you give up
5% equity for $25,000
Deadline
Not confirmed. Check the official page

That is the rulebook. What we cannot show you here is whether your startup clears it, how this ranks against the other programs you qualify for, and what to fix if you do not.

Check what I qualify for

Five questions, about a minute, no account needed.

Last verified against the official page. Report an error

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