Go From Founder to Global Entrepreneur With Our Fintech Startup Accelerator
In 10 years, we kept polishing and perfecting our startup program to bring you the most cutting-edge accelerator experience:
Important Dates & Program Format
Wise Guys Fintech Startup Accelerator in Bucharest is a hybrid program that includes both online and offline modules. Our cozy coworking space will be available throughout the entire program.
Accelerate Your Startup’s Growth With Startup Wise Guys
Startup Wise Guys is one of the top investors in the broader CEE region and Nordics. With more than 275 startup investments behind our back and a solid team of serial entrepreneurs and passionate mentors – we for sure have what it takes to help you accelerate your business growth and scale internationally!
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370+
700+
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358M€
Awesome Mentors
We have a deep network of 250+ mentors who are experts in their fields or founders of startups themselves. Here are some of our top Fintech mentors you will get the chance to meet and learn from at the Wise Guys Fintech accelerator program.
Johan Lorenzen
Mārcis Goģis
Rain Sepp
Remco Veenenberg
Team
Running an accelerator is a bit like running a sports camp! This is the kick-ass team that will keep you on track with KPIs, give constructive feedback and make your stay in Bucharest a life-changing experience!
Juan Alonso-Villalobos
Program Director
Razvan Suta
Program Managing Director
Omer Unsal
Entrepreneur in Residence
Jevgenijs Kazanins
Entrepreneur in Residence
Supported by
Bring your Fintech startup to the next level
With more than 290 startup investments behind our back and a solid team of serial entrepreneurs and passionate mentors – we for sure have what it takes to help you speed up your business and scale internationally! Hit the button below and become a part of the Startup Wise Guys family.
FAQ
Our programs are meant for B2B startups. We do sometimes work with B2B2C companies, but we do not work with B2C startups.
To be eligible for the full-time acceleration program you need to have:
- at least a working MVP;
- at least 2 co-founders/team members;
- initial customer traction, MRR or revenues.
- After the submission of the application to the Dealum, the Scouting team evaluates the application for eligibility. It can take up to 2 weeks for us to get back to you after we have received your application.
- If the application fits our criteria we might ask you additional questions and invite you to take part in the pitch day to present the business to SWG General partners and team members.
- Pitch day is an internal event to evaluate the business idea and meet founders face to face, after the pitches SWG team decides how to proceed with the application. Decisions are: move forward with Due Diligence, offer Wise Guys Pre-accelerator program, reject or stay in touch until later.
- Due diligence process includes: the Tech call, Managing Director call, Partner/ expert call, and the Deal call.
- After the startup has successfully gone through the due diligence process they are invited to the Selection Bootcamp.
- TOP 10-12 teams are selected to participate in the acceleration program.
Investment conditions include up to €90K convertible investment (65K cash + 25K program) with a €250K follow-on possibility.
Throughout the program, there are four main focus areas on which we are working to help you build and grow your startup: Company building, Sales and marketing, Fundraising and Pitching, and Product building.
Work in these areas happens through intensive collaboration with almost 100 mentors at workshops, one-on-one sessions, and sprint weeks, as well as through a dedicated implementation time throughout the program.
A full-time commitment is a requirement to participate in the program.
The Scouting team evaluates each application and decides what program the startup is eligible for. If we see the potential in the project, but it is still a little too early for acceleration we invite the startup for the 8-week long pre-acceleration program, where we provide mentoring and support to help startups grow faster. After the Pre-acceleration the best teams might get invited to take part in the full-time Acceleration program.
The acceleration program is a 5-month program and comes with an investment. The main criteria to be eligible for the equity-based program are:
- a working MVP
- at least 2 co-founders
- initial traction. MRR/ revenues.
Overall there are no restrictions except for Russia or Belarus-based companies.*
You have to take into account that the workshops, mentoring sessions, and other program activities will happen according to the EET time zone, so you might have to adapt to this schedule.
Also, it’s a hybrid program with online and onsite modules, therefore, if there are no Covid related restrictions, some parts of the program will happen onsite at our Bucharest office, and you’ll be expected to be there.
*Startup Wise Guys does not and will not invest in Russia and/or Belarus-based companies (or companies that have business activities in Russia and/or Belarus and/or any other company which has management bodies and/or beneficial owners in Russia and/or Belarus). Nevertheless, we do support Russian- or Belarusian- origin startup founders who actively oppose Putin’s aggression and his regime.
For more details read our full statement and stand regarding the war in Ukraine.
Yes, you can. However, you will need to establish a company, if selected for the program.
The program will only be held in English.
We provide continued on-demand help. Once you complete the program, you’ll join the most vibrant community of Startup Wise Guys Alumni network, where our teams and mentors will keep routing for your success after the program completion.