Go From Founder to Global Entrepreneur With Our SAAS Startup Accelerator
In 10 years, we kept polishing and perfecting our startup accelerator program to bring you the most cutting-edge SAAS incubator experience:
Who is this program for?
Wise Guys SaaS – Bilbao program is mainly for early-stage B2B SaaS startups working with AI, computer vision, deep learning algorithms, blockchain, and 5G technologies with initial traction, a solid team, and a focus on one of these areas:
Advanced manufacturing software
Energy consumption optimisation software
Machine to Machine communication
Autonomous transportation systems
Monitoring and prediction systems
Smart automation
Logistics
3D manufacturing software
Supply chain optimisation
Seamless consumer journey
Cyber Security systems in IoT
Why accelerate in Bilbao?
Important Dates & Program Format
Wise Guys SaaS Startup Accelerator is a hybrid program that includes both online and offline modules. Our cozy coworking space will be available throughout the entire program.
Start Your SAAS Excellence Journey With Startup Wise Guys
Startup Wise Guys is one of the top investors in the broader CEE and CIS regions, also investing in Europe, Africa, and Latam. With more than 300+ 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!
Software as a Service is our flagship vertical, which we have been investing in and accelerating since 2012.
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300+
213M €
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Awesome Mentors
We have a deep network of 350+ mentors who are experts in their fields or founders of startups themselves. Here are some of our top mentors you will get the chance to meet and learn from at the Wise Guys SaaS accelerator program.
Herty Tammo
Martin Vares
Tarmo Tael
Partner at Lumi Capital
Maxime Bauchau
Mykolas Dumčius
Stoyan Yankov
Patrick Collins
Patrick Campbell
SaaS Pricing
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 sure that you get the best program content possible.
Cristobal Alonso
Global CEO and General Partner
Fabienne Hakim
Program Managing Director
Domenico Ranucci
Expert in Residence
Program Partners
Bring your SaaS startup to the next level
With more than 300 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.
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.
We are running a hybrid program, meaning that some modules of the program are happening online, some onsite, and you are expected to attend the onsite parts of the program by relocating for two to three weeks to Bilbao, Spain where the program is taking place.
Companies who will register the company or will have an operating subsidiary within Biscay will be eligible for:
- An opportunity to receive a co-investment ticket matching Startup Wise Guys ticket from Bizkaia Seed Capital
- Access to government grants of up to 125K in the first year and then additional
- Access to up to 600K grants available for the later years of operating within the Biscay area
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.
No, there are no restrictions, but 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, and you’ll be expected to be there.