Set Your XR Startup For Real-World Takeover
Wise Guys XR is a one-of-a-kind accelerator designed to equip startups
that help to build the meta world with everything they need — to grow, reach maximum potential, and stay for the long haul.
12+ Focus Areas. 4 Blueprints. Tailored Approach.
While the program comes with a fast-paced intensive setup, you will get to have one-on-ones with our mentors, coaches, and guest industry experts.
Dates You Don’t Want to Miss
Wise Guys XR startup accelerator is a hybrid program that includes both online and offline modules. For the on-site parts of the program.
What startups can apply for the Wise Guys XR acceleration program?
Extended Reality has been on the map for a while now. And here at SWG, we do believe it’s the future. So we lend our hand to startups that can get us all one step closer to the metaverse. This is a super intense acceleration program developed for more mature startups. Here’s what you should have in place if you want to be a part of this amazing acceleration journey:
Futureproof Your Startup With Startup Wise Guys
Startup Wise Guys (SWG) is one of the leading investors in the broader CEE and CIS regions, as well as Nordics. With 300+ successful startups in our portfolio and a strong team of top-notch mentors and serial entrepreneurs, we have the experience and knowledge to help you grow your startup—sustainably, wisely, and globally.
13
370+
700+
80%
358M€
Meet Your Top-Notch Mentors
With Startup Wise Guys, you get access to a 250+ network of leading industry experts who will coach and mentor you throughout your acceleration journey.
Richard Ward
Dave Haynes
Harriet Bartlett
Angelo Del Priore
Partner at HP Tech Ventures
Petri Rajahalme
Inga Petryaevskaya
Jenna Seiden
Asha Easton
Timmu Tõke
Amy Peck
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.
Giovanni Khoury
Program Managing Director
Andrey Lunev
Venture Partner XR
Cristobal Alonso
Company building track owner, Global CEO
Zane Bojare
Pitching track owner, Head of Brand
Alexandra Balkova
Fundraising track owner, Head of Portfolio
BRING YOUR XR STARTUP TO THE NEXT LEVEL
With more than 350+ 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!
FAQs
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.
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 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 our Malaga 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.