A chance for technology start-ups from Central and Eastern Europe. Call for applications for the Spring 2022 edition of the MIT Enterprise Forum CEE Accelerator Program

Recruitment for the next edition of the Acceleration Program organized by MIT Enterprise Forum CEE has just begun, which aims to identify and support the most innovative start-ups from Central and Eastern Europe. It is a unique chance to establish cooperation with renowned companies, gain knowledge and international contacts, and obtain funds for further development. For selected international start-ups it is also possible to win funding within the framework of the Poland Prize.

The goal of MIT EF CEE is to find start-ups whose solutions will help meet the needs of a dynamically changing world. - Nowadays, when the world and new technologies develop at such a dizzying pace, we need solutions that meet the emerging problems. Our program focuses on Central and Eastern Europe, but we also try to reach out to Western Europe and beyond as we see a huge potential of young companies on these markets - said Łukasz Owczarek, Head of Growth at MIT EF CEE.

The current edition is aimed at technology start-ups operating in the areas of, among others, health, new energy, industry 4.0, financial and insurance technologies (fintech and insurtech), sustainable development, marketing technologies (martech), smart city, and autonomous store.

The MIT Enterprise Forum CEE Acceleration Program, affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - the American cradle of innovative entrepreneurship, gives startups a unique opportunity to build recognition and credibility in foreign markets. Participation in the program allows you to develop innovative solutions under the supervision of experienced entrepreneurs. It is also a unique opportunity to establish contacts with business partners and gain market advantage through cooperation with industry leaders. An important element of acceleration is connecting startups with established industry leaders looking for innovative solutions in their sectors. In this edition, entrepreneurs will have a chance to make pilot and commercial implementations in partner companies such as Adamed, MCX, Żabka, ANWIL S.A., Pekao S.A., or PZU. In addition to networking opportunities, mentoring and a pilot at a renowned partner company, foreign startups have a chance to receive funding of up to PLN 250,000 as part of the Poland Prize.

Applications can only be submitted until February 28, 2022, via www.mitefcee.org. Recruitment results will be announced in early June.

Since the beginning of the initiative, over 2000 applications from 30 countries were received, and as many as 200 companies benefited from the acceleration. Among the most recognizable start-ups that took part in the earlier editions are Telemedico, Hashiona, Genomtec, Zowie, StethoMe, Lerta, Plantalux, WorkAI, PlanetHeroes, Symmetrical AI.

On January 12, the winners of the fall edition of the MIT EF CEE accelerator program were announced. Awards were given to 5 start-ups: Wynajem.pl, Mobilis Robotics, Omniaz, Wingo, and Ender Turing. The first of these, Wynajem.pl, won the Alumni Award for its comprehensive, integrated marketplace system. Mobilis Robotics boasts a PLN 100,000 win in the CVC Young Innovator Award category for its intelligent beacons that help deaf and blind people in the city. Omniaz with its image recognition & AR metaverse solutions for retail won the hearts of the audience by receiving a special award from them but was also recognized in the Boston Bootcamp category. Start-up Wingo won the Boston Bootcamp award for its energy-efficient tables, as did Ender Turing, a sales-supporting AI. - There will certainly be a lot of buzz about them soon, so don't wait and submit your start-up to us. Maybe your idea will help us change the world! - adds Łukasz Owczarek.

The main partners of the spring edition of the MIT Enterprise Forum CEE Acceleration Program are Adamed, MCX, and Żabka. Supporting partners include: ANWIL S.A., HubHub, Pekao S.A. and PZU.

The Poland Prize by MIT EF CEE program is implemented under Measure 2.5 of the Intelligent Development Operational Program financed by the European Regional Development Fund.