The Ventures Thrive project provided comprehensive mentoring, coaching, and financial support to deeptech startups from Europe’s Widening regions, aimed at accelerating their technical and business growth. The project’s structured Growth Program included three main pillars: Individualized Master Plans (MPs), thematic mentorship and masterclasses, and Selection and Demo Day events. Each startup developed customized Master Plans, setting ambitious KPIs to advance product development, investment readiness, and strategic business milestones.
Technical support through one-on-one mentoring, targeted masterclasses, and thematic workshops enabled startups to refine product strategies, navigate IP management, and scale their prototypes. This hands-on guidance from industry experts and mentors facilitated advancements in diverse fields such as biotechnology, sustainable materials, and AI. Startups also received KPI-driven coaching, aligning their goals with clear, measurable outcomes crucial for achieving market readiness and investor interest.
To fuel these developments, Ventures Thrive offered equity-free financial support, with selected startups eligible for up to €100,000, which included initial grants and service vouchers to support technical and strategic growth activities. This funding helped startups overcome key financial barriers, focusing on high-impact innovation without equity dilution.
The program’s phased approach culminated in Demo Days, where startups pitched to investors, securing essential funding and industry partnerships. With a sustainable model combining financial backing, structured mentoring, and a KPI-based framework, Ventures Thrive empowered startups to progress from prototypes to market-ready solutions, strengthening Europe’s position in deeptech innovation.
