Azerbaijan Acceleration Program  

Elevate your B2B Fintech and SaaS startup to the next level, transform your business and discover your potential.

Apply Now
Mana Kaasik in a Startup wise guys conference

The Azerbaijan Acceleration Program powered by SABAH.HUB, led by IDDA, and Pasha Holding with the support of Startup Wise Guys, is launching in Baku, the vibrant capital of Azerbaijan. With up to €500K investment for 10 promising startups, this program is dedicated to driving impactful change in the cleantech landscape.

Over 10 weeks online and 2 weeks onsite in Baku, the Azerbaijan Acceleration Program offers world-class mentorship, industry insights, and access to a powerful network of investors and partners, all with a strong focus on sustainability. With Startup Wise Guys providing strategic support, participants will leverage SABAH.HUB’s innovative facilities, IDDA’s digital expertise, and Pasha Holding’s extensive industry connections, creating a unique platform to scale sustainable solutions and contribute to a greener future.

Key benefits of our program

Get funding

By joining the program, you will have the opportunity to be selected for investment and receivea convertible investment of €50,000 or more; and an additional €250,000 as a follow-on opportunity.

Learn from the best

Learn top sales and product development tricks from leading industry mentors and experts.

Meet the people

Access a community of +350 mentors, +200 investors and collaborate with 800+ fellow visionary founders growing in the same industry as you

About the program

Application Process

Applications are now open for the Azerbaijan Acceleration Program. Our team will carefully review all applications and once we identify potential candidates that fit our requirements we will reach out to schedule an interview!

Apply now

Apply until Friday 24th January by 12PM CET.

Note: applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

Week 1-4 / Module 1

Startup diagnostic and presentation, KPI setting, lead coach matchmaking

Meet your lead coaches, introduce your business idea, set KPI targets for the expansion. This unit is all about understanding your needs and challenges to set an individualized action plan, and providing networking opportunities. 

Week 5-8 / Module 2

Lead coach meetings, SaaS & Fintech Mentoring Day, Market Engineering Sprint

Refine your market strategy with the goal to expand your business internationally. Focus on product growth and development. 

Week 9-12 / Module 3

Progress Day, Lead coach meetings, Corporate Matchmaking Day, and Product Sprint

Boost your sales, product and marketing solutions with one on one mentor meetings who tailor their support to the needs of your growing startup. 

Week 13-14 / Module 4

Fundraising, Investor Mentoring Day, and Graduation Day

Learn the ins and out of fundraising, revamp your strategy and networking approaches. Gain unique exposure to business angels and VCs and prepare your company for investment. 

Aftercare

And when you think it’s all over… it has only just started. Once you have completed the program we don’t stop working together… 

You will still benefit from the support and program aftercare of the Startup Wise Guys community channels, expert mentors and continue to achieve fundraising support for your future investment rounds.

 

A typical week in the Startup Wise Guys Accelerator Program might look like …

Our Azerbaijan Acceleration Program will run for 14 weeks, typically consisting of 3-8 hours of contact time a week and they are jam packed with tailored data-driven solutions, technical support and inspiring strategic visions.

Apart from weekly one-on-ones with your personal mentor, you won’t find any two weeks the same! You’ll be developing your skills and transforming your startup at a supercharged pace. Your experience, over the course of 3 months, will include intensive training and personal development opportunities like never before. 

We want to get the best out of you, so you’ll constantly be challenged in what you do and how you do it. Doing things the way you always have won’t cut it this time! 

In program activities:

What kind of activities can you expect? 

  • Workshops: Participate in expert-led sessions covering essential topics such as legal frameworks, customer and product market fit, financial strategies, and sales techniques, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of building and scaling your startup.
  • Network access: Engage with a diverse network of mentors, lead coaches, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs throughout the program, including dedicated sessions on lead generation and founder fireside chats, providing valuable connections for your startup’s growth.
  • Intensive pitch practice: Prepare for Demo Day with focused pitch development and practice sessions, including crafting investor-ready pitch decks, financial planning, and receiving personalized feedback from mentors to perfect your presentation skills.
  • Tailored Content: Benefit from content customized to your startup’s specific needs, with targeted 1-to-1 mentoring sessions and personalized guidance on topics such as product development, scaling strategies, and investor negotiations, ensuring your startup reaches its full potential.

It would be a great match if you are…

Goal-orientated, ambitious, and aspiring to build your business for the long term future.
The Azerbaijan Acceleration Program powered by SABAH.HUB is designed for teams that meet one or more of the requirements listed below:

  • You are an early-stage B2B Fintech startup working in
    • Fintech
    • Insurtech
    • Regtech
    • other
  • You are an early-stage B2B SaaS startup working in
    • Industry 4.0
    • Manufacturing
    • SaaS
    • Computer vision
    • Deep learning algorithms
    • Blockchain
    • Defense tech
    • E-Gaming
    • 5G technologies with initial traction
  • Initial traction (can be shown through MRR, paid pilots, one-time payments for product test/usage, working prototypes/products/services, etc.)
  • Global ambition
  • Your startup has at least 2 co-founders or team members.

“The personalized mentorship tailored to our business model was a game-changer, offering insights from experienced mentors. The international perspective enriched our understanding of global markets. Networking opened doors to quality connections. This program is a catalyst for success, profoundly impacting our trajectory.”

Juan & Lorena
Founders, Bytehide

"Cyber Xcelerator was our opportunity to further develop our company outside of Poland. After the program, we are still in touch with SWG community very often and rely on mentors, alumni startups or SWG team for intros, advice or frequent catch ups.  We highly recommend the experience, specially to build a strong company culture and an international network of support."

Nekane Estalayo
Founder, Sagenso

"The one-on-one mentorship from Startup Wise Guys was crucial in directing CyberDart toward the right path. Our participation led to noticeable growth in our business operations and team cohesion. We exited the program stronger and better equipped to tackle our future challenges."

Nicoló Schiavi
Founder, CyberDart

 

Let’s crunch some numbers

440+

Portfolio companies

800+

founders network
 
 

70%

Survival rate
 
 

461M€

raised by portfolio startups

Mentors and Experts

Meet the great minds behind it all. We have a network of over 200+ experienced mentors, industry experts and first rate founders who you will have the chance to learn and grow from

Juan Villalobos

SWG - Board Member

Karlis Jonass

Design Sprint Facilitator

Patrick Collins

Sales Coach

Prospect Labs

Stoyan Yankov

Entrepreneur, productivity & performance coach, a global keynote speaker, and an author.

PERFORM

Zane Bojare

Startup Wise Guys

Program partners

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What are the requirements the startup must comply with to participate in the program?

    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.

  • Is there a cost to participate in the Azerbaijan Acceleration Program?

    Yes, the program has a cost of 1.5% in equity. This means that in exchange for the comprehensive support, mentorship, workshops, and access to our investor network, the program will take a 1.5% equity stake in your startup. This structure ensures our ongoing commitment to your success and growth.

  • What does the selection process look like?

    • 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 about business and ask you to go along with our due diligence process.

    • Due diligence process includes: the Tech call, Managing Director call, Partner/ expert calls.

    • After the startup has successfully gone through the due diligence process they are invited to a Deal call where we can close the deal.

    • TOP 5 teams are selected to participate in the acceleration program.

  • What are the investment conditions?

    By joining the program, you will have the opportunity to be selected for investment. Receive a convertible investment up to € 50,000 and an additional €250,000 as a follow-on opportunity. 

  • What can I expect from the program?

    Throughout the program, there are four main focus areas on which we are working to help you build and grow your startup: Company & HR scaling, Sales and marketing international expansion, Fundraising, and Product Growth.

    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.

  • What is the expected commitment? Will all the team members have to attend the program full-time?

    A full-time commitment is a requirement to participate in the program. Most of the activities will happen online, but we will organize 2 weeks to provide the most value to startups by building a network with partners, investors and SWG members. Onsite weeks will be scattered throughout the program and adjusted to leverage other onsite events.

  • Are there any geographical restrictions on who can apply?

    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 CET 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 Baku 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.

Do you have some more extra questions? Feel free to get in touch with our team at hello@startupwiseguys.com.