Collabor8 powered by Huge Thing

2023 Edition

Collabor8 - modular training program for startups

Collabor8 powered by Huge Thing is an innovative modular training program designed to empower startups to effectively cooperate with corporates and venture capital funds.
Through this comprehensive program, startups gain the knowledge and resources necessary to identify, negotiate and execute successful partnerships with larger entities. This program is uniquely structured to provide an understanding of the dynamics of corporate and venture capital relationships, as well as the tools to navigate and leverage the opportunities presented. Our experts provide guidance to help startups develop successful strategies for collaboration and enable them to maximize their potential. Collabor8 is the perfect program for startups that are looking for opportunities to take their business to the next level, with support of Huge Thing’s top experts and program Partners: Google for Startups, PZU, Saint Gobain Glass, Let’s Fintech with PKO Bank Polski and SpeedUp Venture Capital Group.

Who are we looking for?


If you want to participate in the Collabor8, you must meet the following requirements:
European startups
Pre-seed and seed companies
The program is industry agnostic. We’re looking for various solutions e.g. Healthtech, Analytics & Big Data, AI solutions, Insurtech, Fintech.

Program Highlights & Timeline

Phase 1 (3 months)

Benefits

Access to expert mentorship Through Collabor8, startups have access to a network of experienced Huge Things’ and Speedup Venture Capital Group mentors who can provide valuable guidance and advice.
Networking opportunities Startups have the opportunity to network with other startups, corporates, and venture capitalists, as well as gain valuable insight on the industry.
Training and education
Startups receive tailor made training and education on how to successfully cooperate with corporates and venture funds.
Access to resources
Startups have access to resources and tools that can help them grow and succeed in their business ventures.
Support and collaboration Startups can collaborate with other startups, mentors, and investors to exchange ideas and gain feedback.
Increased visibility
Through the program, startups gain increased visibility and recognition, which can help them attract potential customers, partners, and investors.

Meet our Partners

Do you want to join the group of program partners? Check HERE who can be a partner and what benefits from working with startups under the program.

Main Partner: Google for Startups is Google’s initiative to help startups thrive across every corner of the world. We connect them with the best of Google’s products, connections, and best practices through our global network of partners and our six Google for Startups Campuses. As a Main Partner, Google for Startups is searching for AI startups to join the Collabor8 program. We want to hear from AI startups that are using AI to revolutionize their industry. If you have an innovative way of using AI, we want to hear from you!
  • Collection of waste
  • Packaging
  • Manufacturing
  • Deposit approach (both products & services)
PZU Group is the largest financial institution in CEE. We are trusted by over 22 million customers in five countries. Operating in the areas of insurance, banking, investments and healthcare, we manage nearly PLN 430 billion in assets. Implementing innovations is a crucial aspect of the PZU Ready for Startups program. We would like to respond not only to what goes on in the insurtech area, but also to be ahead of those trends. We are looking for startups operating in various areas, but in particular we focus on solutions for advanced analytics, digitalization, new customer interactions and “Employer 2.0” (innovative HR solutions).
Saint-Gobain Glass (glass producer) via Impact Lab is ready to collaborate with start-ups as part of the company’s investment into innovation through cooperation. The core focus of our efforts include but are not limited to:

  • Innovation in digitalization
  • New products built on existing technologies
  • New paths of business
  • Introducing services

Impact Lab purpose mirrors the groups in ‘’Making the World a Better Home’’ through cooperation and innovation with like-minded businesses but we also strive to make better business, more cost effective and more profitable. Whether that is through problem solving, better efficiency of processes or product/services innovation. If your business has an idea, a problem or like us just wants to improve we welcome you to contact us.
Let’s Fintech with PKO Bank Polski is an innovation platform, developed by one of the largest financial institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Within Let’s Fintech, the bank cooperates with startups business-wise and implements new technologies, provides its API, develops open banking solutions, and invests in most promising tech companies. PKO Bank Polski is looking for startups that offer an MVP of their solution, generate sales or are scaling their business, and operate in the following areas: Digital banking, Customer engagement, Data & analytics, Blockchain, Open banking, Security & data protection.
SpeedUp Venture Capital Group is a leading group of venture capital funds, investing in enterprises in an early stage of development (seed, pre-revenue, early growth, Series A). Areas of their interest include enterprises and entrepreneurs in Central and Eastern Europe, who want to conquer the global market by utilizing their self-developed solutions. Cooperation with companies is based on a 3-8 year investment horizon. SpeedUp Group looking for innovations from areas such as: consumer internet, electromobility, energy, fintech, martech, adtech, medtech, IoT and hardware. Their interested in technologies like Machine Learning,Picture recognition, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, VR and Blockchain.

Documents

Regulations

Privacy Policy

Grant entrustment agreement  also known as Acceleration agreement
Annex to Grant entrustment agreement  also known as Acceleration agreement
Non-disclosure agreement for both parties to sign before the acceleration

Questions?

We’ll be more than happy, to answer you!

Contact for:
Collabor8 program

Kaja Kulas

Program Manager

Maria Tyka-Majewska

Senior Project Manager

Project manager, Expert in creating innovation and acceleration programs.

As a member of the Huge Thing team, she is responsible for the creation and coordination of acceleration programs and direct cooperation with startups.

Before joining the Huge Thing team, she gained experience at the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, Startup Academy and the Polish Development Fund, where she was responsible for coordinating incubation and acceleration projects. 
 
Italian and Spanish cuisine enthusiast.

Mateusz Szymański

Junior Program Manager

Tech and innovation enthusiasts, especially those with positive social impact, Greentech, and health tech solutions. In Huge Thing, Mateusz is responsible for co-running acceleration programs. In 2022 he was co-running the 12th edition of the Google for Startups pre-acceleration program. 

Previously he worked in the sales and product departments, where he was responsible for outreach activities and product communication. He’s also gained experience in project coordination and internal communication, working as a Spokesperson for Poznań’s department of NGO organization The Polish Forum of Young Diplomats. He was a co-creator of the social campaign “Paragraphs without blunder” which mission was to educate high school students about their rights.

During his spare time, he likes to read about international politics and the economy. Strategic games enjoyer. He’ll surely like to play chess with you.

Monika Synoradzka

CEO of Huge Thing and managing partner at Speedup group

Monika together with the HT team is responsible for the company’s development in startup acceleration and activities aimed at supporting organizations from the private and public sectors in their work with innovations.

She specializes in implementing innovations in organizations and building a culture of innovation in companies from various sectors. For years, she has supported the development of Poland’s startup environment.

Monika is also a Managing Partner at SpeedUp Venture Capital Group.
Thanks to her knowledge and experience, she helps portfolio companies to understand the operation of large organizations and corporations and prepare to work with them. She also supports them in building business relationships.

Natalia Sadownik

Delivery Lead, Senior Program Manager

Natalia joined Huge Thing in 2019. As a Senior Program Manager, she implements acceleration and educational programs (Poland Prize, PlusJeden do Rozwoju) in line with Huge Thing’s standards.

As a Delivery Lead, she focuses on the operation of Huge Thing as an organization, financial issues, team planning, and quality of activities carried out by the company. Natalia loves to sail around Masuria and Croatia, and on gray days eats sushi and watches tennis.

Agnieszka Cichocka

Head of Acceleration

Agnieszka joined Huge Thing in 2021. She is responsible for our acceleration programs. She is passionate about art, technology, and gendered innovations. Previously, Director of District Hall Warsaw and Startup Development Department Manager at Incubator Starter. 

Co-creator of Techseed.me technological acceleration program and the first coliving space in Poland for digital nomads. 

Damian Wielechowski

Senior Marketing and Communication Manager

Damian manages the external and internal communications of SpeedUp Group, including Huge Thing. He joined the team in 2017 and since then has been working with business representatives, business environment institutions, public administration, media, and the academic community.

In addition to activities related to Speedup Group, Damian supports the fund’s portfolio companies in the area of marketing and PR. He has served on the jury of many competitions, including ImpactCEE, and acted as a mentor at startup events such as hackathons and Startup Weekend.

Damian is also the author of the Poznan Startup Guide and co-author of the Krakow Startup Guide, as well as organizer of many events dedicated to startups and investors.

Magda Stachowiak

Project Manager

Magda joined Huge Thing in 2021. Responsible for our Gov Tech inno_Lab acceleration programs and cooperation with the public administration. She runs projects for smart city. She is also responsible for building bridges between innovators – corporations, startups and the administration.

Previously, since 2015, she cooperated on our projects for Gov Tech and corporations. Connected with the Poznań Startup Community. Experience in organizing events for the MedTech community. She worked in advertising and interactive agencies, creating brand campaigns and loyalty programs. She helped implement technologies into the organization.

Passionate about personal development, psychobiology, and supporting women in creating businesses. The creator of the projects Kobiecy Poznań Przebudzenie and Joy of Life.

Zuza Kowala

Innovation Manager, Program Manager

Zuza joined Huge Thing in 2021. She is responsible for acceleration programs like GovTech Inno_Lab and Żabka Future Lab.

Also as Maryla, Zuza supports large organizations in processes related to innovation. That includes, among others: design of processes, innovation framework design, structuring the work of innovation teams and facilitating cooperation with startups.

Before joining Innovation Monsters, Zuza led projects at Żabka Polska, earlier connected with automotive at Volkswagen Group Polska. In Żabka, she was responsible for project management, coordinating the teamwork according to the best practice – she was looking for the best way to keep the process alive.
Zuza is also a sportaholic, innovation seeker, and book lover.

Kaja Kulas

Program Manager

Kaja joined the Huge Thing team in May 2022. For several years she’s been connected with the startup ecosystem. She helps international startups in growing their businesses in Poland and across Europe.

In Huge Thing, Kaja is responsible for project management which include running educational programs for startups in their development and acceleration phase. She organizes events, workshops and trainings for the program participants. She monitors their growth and connects with partners and technology recipes. Also, Kaja takes care of relations, community building, recruitments and explorations of startups’ needs to bring them the best value of our programmes.

Before Huge Thing, she gained her experience in Poznan Science and Technology Park developing international projects funded by the European Commission. Kaja was a part of the PSTP Capital Fund and Regional Contact Point for Research Programmes of the European Union. She is passionate about travels, sports, music and dogs. Kaja is a happy “dog mom” of our team member – Nala whom you can pet while visiting us. :)

 

Nala

Cummunity Builder

Since 2022 Nala has been working like a dog to build the Huge Thing community.

She’s always happy to welcome you in our office and you can be sure to get a huuuge hug from her!

PS: don’t forget to bring some treats.

Marta Truś

Innovation Designer

Marta joined Huge Thing in 2023 and strengthened the consulting team. Together with Maryla and Zuza she supports large organizations in processes related to innovation. That includes, among others: design of processes, innovation framework design, structuring the work of innovation teams and facilitating cooperation with startups.

Before joining Innovation Monsters, Marta worked in consulting and was involved in business process mapping, user experience research and design. She is interested in digital accessibility and the changes that digital reality brings to our lives. A careful observer of change. Hackathoner, yogi and dog mom.
Previously, since 2015, she cooperated on our projects for Gov Tech and corporations. Connected with the Poznań Startup Community. Experience in organizing events for the MedTech community. She worked in advertising and interactive agencies, creating brand campaigns and loyalty programs. She helped implement technologies into the organization.

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Maryla Wojcieszek

Interim Head of Knowledge, Innovation Shaper

As Innovation Shaper at Huge Thing, Maryla supports large organizations in processes related to innovation. That includes, among others:  ‘as is’ diagnosis, analysis and (re-)design of processes, innovation framework design, structuring the work of innovation teams, and facilitating cooperation with startups. As the Interim Head of Knowledge, Maryla is responsible for the materialization and transfer of knowledge as well as talent management within the Huge Thing team. She designs and creates new products/services based on internal knowledge resources as well as new models of delivery and dissemination. She’s also a workshop designer and facilitator.

Experienced designer of (public) programs supporting the startup ecosystem in Poland. In her professional experience, as an Expert in the Startup Development Department at PARP, Maryla co-created, among others, the Scale UP program – the first public acceleration program connecting startups and corporations.

A gardener and a LEGO fan.

Download this resource

In order to download this resource, we ask you to fill a form. After that you’ll receive the download link diretcly to your inbox!

Download this resource

In order to download this resource, we ask you to fill a form. After that you’ll receive the download link diretcly to your inbox!

Dziękujemy za wypełnienie formularza.

Kontakt
Sektor publiczny

Magda Stachowiak

Project Manager

We want to share our Playbook with you.

In order to get Playbook, we ask you to fill out a form. After that, you’ll receive the download link directly to your inbox!

Wkrótce otrzymasz Playbook na podany adres email.

Kontakt
Sektor publiczny

Magda Stachowiak

Project Manager

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Acquiring innovation

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