Startupbootcamp

The first programme was officially launched by Alex Farcet in Copenhagen in 2010. In 2012, Startupbootcamp expanded to Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid and Dublin. In 2013 it added Tel Aviv in Israel and Eindhoven. In 2014 it opened an accelerator programme in London and Istanbul.[4] In 2016 it opened an accelerator programme in Rome. In 2017 they launched 6 new program, expanding from Europe to Asia, Africa, USA, Latin America and Australia.

Each Startupbootcamp accelerator programme selects 10 startups from more than 500 global applicants to receive mentorship from 150 entrepreneurs, investors and partners, €15,000 for living expenses, free co-working space and over €450,000 worth of partner deals.[5] In return, Startupbootcamp takes a 6-8% equity stake.[5]

Programmes are primarily mentorship-driven. The volunteering mentors drive the startup acceleration over three months and often for months or years afterwards. Most of the volunteering mentors drop off however, so that there is a high turnover of mentors.[6] This gives startups direct access to an international network of relevant partners, investors and mentors in their industry. The main partners of Startupbootcamp are Amazon, Intel, Kuehne + Nagel, Vodafone, ABN Amro, Airbus, Philips, Cisco, Bosch, HERE, Mercedes-Benz, EY, MasterCard which all act as mentors and pilot customers.

Startupbootcamp was awarded the title Best Accelerator 2014 during the European Tech Startup Awards, organised by The Europas.[11][12] The Economist has said that accelerators and similar startup programmes, of which Startupbootcamp is one, are the biggest professional-training system you have never heard of.[13] Forbes called Startupbootcamp “Europe's Biggest Startup Accelerator”.[14]