The Program What can you expect?

An intense but highly rewarding programme! It's designed to help you delve deeper into the problem you want to solve and outline a solid, scalable business model.

FORMAT

Over the course of 6 bootcamps, you'll immerse yourself in the essential areas for transforming your idea into a unique and sustainable business.

In addition, you'll have access to 1:1 mentoring sessions - practical, personalised and totally hands-on - with experts who will challenge you to go further.

This is a demanding programme that requires effort, ambition and, above all, commitment.

It will take place in person at the University of Minho between September and October.

AGENDA

1. Kick-off & Startup Mindset | 24th September

2. Bootcamp 1 - Design Thinking | 24th September

3. Bootcamp 2 - Business Model Canvas | 30th September

4. Bootcamp 3 - Product, Market & Competitive Analysis | 7th October

5. Bootcamp 4 - Marketing, Branding & Intellectual Property | 8th October

6. Bootcamp 5 - Capital Boost | 13th October

7. Bootcamp 6 - Pitching & Feedback | 14th October

8. Demo Day | 22nd October

DATES

Deadline for applications: 10th September

Announcement of those selected: 12th September

Kick-off & Startup Mindset: 24th September

Startup Point '25 Programme: 24 September to 22 October

Demo Day: 22nd October

Value Proposition Why should you take part in this programme?

Simple: this is the programme that can take you from campus to the next Portuguese unicorn. By joining us, you'll have access to a complete ecosystem to turn your idea into a truly successful business:

Training and mentoring

Workshops, talks and mentoring sessions with experts and leading companies in the sector.

Idea Validation

Confirmation of your solution's potential based on real market and demand data.

Multidisciplinary Training

Development of key competences: business development, sales and marketing, financing and pitching.

Valuable Networking

Access to a network of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and partners ready to support you at any stage.

Prizes

Prizes of €1,000, €300 and €200 awarded to the first 3 best projects.

Market Access

Support in contacting potential partners, clients and real business opportunities.

Investment Strategy

Definition of strategies to attract funding for the development of the business idea.

Sustainable Business Model

Structuring a sustainable, scalable business model in line with market challenges.

FAQs

If you've got this far and haven't applied yet, it's because you're still looking for some answers. Look no further! Here they are:

1. Is there any cost to taking part?

No! Participation in this programme is completely free.

2. Does applying for the programme already mean that my project has been selected?

No. Applications will be carefully analysed by the Startup Braga and AAUMinho teams, and the results of the selected teams will be announced on 12 September.

3. Are there any attendance requirements?

More than attendance, we're looking for commitment. However, in order to encourage commitment, teams must ensure that they attend at least 75% of the sessions.

4. What are the dates of the bootcamps?

Kick-off & Startup Mindset | 24th September

Bootcamp 1 - Design Thinking | 24 September

Bootcamp 2 - Business Model Canvas | 30th September

Bootcamp 3 - Product, Market & Competitive Analysis | 7th October

Bootcamp 4 - Marketing, Branding & Intellectual Property | 8th October

Bootcamp 5 - Capital Boost | 13th October

Bootcamp 6 - Pitching & Feedback | 14th October

Demo Day | 22 October

5. What will be most valued?

a. Potential execution of the idea;

b. Degree of innovation of the project;

c. Market potential;

d. Team (skills and commitment to the project);

e. Presentation of the business idea.

6. What is Startup Point's value proposition?

Startup Point has an inviting value proposition:

Workshops, talks and mentoring sessions with experts from leading companies and associations;
Validation and development of the business model and access to new markets and consumers;
Training in different areas such as: business development, sales, marketing, financing and pitching;
Prizes.

7. How do I contact the organisation?

To get in touch with the organisation, simply send an email to info@startupbraga.com, with the subject line ‘More information about Startup Point’25’.

8. Who are we?

Startup Braga is the innovation hub of the Municipality of Braga. It was designed to support the creation of technology-based projects with global ambitions and the potential to reach international markets. Startup Braga works in the promotion of entrepreneurship and in the creation, incubation and acceleration of startups.

9. What is the Startup Point Programme?

Startup Point is Startup Braga's Pre-Acceleration Programme - an intensive training programme that aims to stimulate technology-based business ideas that emerge in an academic context. Designed in partnership with Liftoff - Entrepreneurship Hub and START POINT of the Academic Association of the University of Minho (AAUMinho), this programme was created to help you:

i. Better understand the problem you're solving,

ii. Validate and define the business model, through a series of immersive bootcamps concentrated in a short period of time.

At the end of this programme you should have a clear definition of who your potential customer is and the basic characteristics your product should have.

10. Who can take part?

Students from Portuguese higher education, public or private, and anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, ideas, motivation, creativity and/or initiative can take part in this programme. However, UMinho students will have priority in obtaining places if the registration limit is exceeded.

11. What stage must my project be at in order to take part?

The programme is designed to support projects that are still in the ideation phase, which means that if you haven't developed or validated anything yet, no problem! Here you'll learn how to validate your idea and realise its viability, as well as the steps you need to take to enter the market.

Testimonials Get advice from our alumni

Leonardo Durão | Oh Chata!

"I can describe the experience in the Startup Point pre-acceleration program as a defining moment at the end of my master's degree journey at the University of Minho. After nearly two years of working on the 'Oh Chata!' project, associated with my thesis, Startup Point was the culmination of all the knowledge and experience accumulated in the field and laboratory. It was the perfect opportunity to bring this idea into an entrepreneurial environment, allowing it to mature and be tested, thanks to the various bootcamps, mentorships, and feedback received on Demo Day - always challenging and enriching moments."

Team | Crowdflow

"Participating in the Startup Point 2024 pre-acceleration program was an extraordinary experience. This program provided us with a unique platform to develop and strengthen our business idea, offering access to essential resources and knowledge. The bootcamps and mentoring sessions covered a wide range of critical topics, helping us improve our pitching skills, structure a more effective approach for investors, better understand our target market, and build a valuable network of contacts. This continuous support allowed us to significantly evolve throughout the program.

The final pitch was an opportunity not only to present our business idea to the public but also to interact with entities and potential partners crucial for our future growth. This final event marked the consolidation of all the hard work and learning acquired during the program. The Startup Point 2024 program was crucial in boosting the continuity of our work, where the prize, mentoring, and all the support received not only validated our business idea but also encouraged us to keep working with even more determination and to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit alive."

Team | Anciian

“It’s with these kind of initiatives that interest in entrepreneurship can grow among students. ANCIIAN Bicycles owes a lot of its progress to this programs, as we've learned a lot from the experience and feedback. It was through our participation that we made contact with Startup Braga, which was also fantastic.

Our startup is now at an important stage in its development and we're looking forward to showing the public what's next. It was an edition of Startup Point by proactive people for proactive people.”

Contact us

Address

Edifício GNRATION

Praça Conde Agrolongo

nº123, 4700-312 Braga-Portugal

E-mail

info@startupbraga.com

Phone

+351 253 142 200
[call to the national fixed network]

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Target Do you have what it takes to become the 8th Portuguese Unicorn?

Digital Economy

Health Technologies

Biotechnology

Nanotechnology

Sustainability