The FSP was an 8-week pre-acceleration program dedicated to startups at the idea or pre-seed stages. During the program, founders gained a complete package of workshops and mentorship sessions designed to help them acquire fundamental knowledge on business and product development.
What’s more, they received broad knowledge on strategic topics such as building an effective growth strategy, acquiring customers, fundraising, and legal insights. They mastered the art of valuation, pitching, and negotiating with venture capitalists. Led by experienced experts, they were equipped with key aspects of business development to successfully build their startups.
Participants also benefited from four hours of 1-on-1 meetings with Tutors, allowing them to adapt acquired knowledge to their specific needs and craft effective business strategies.
Applications were accepted until May 31st, 2024.
If you want to participate in the FSP, you must meet the following requirements:
Startups led at least half by a female with Polish or Ukrainian citizenship (founder/co-founder/CEO) or with more than 30% of the senior leadership team to be female with Polish or Ukrainian citizenship.
Startups looking for support with MVP stage .
Eager to learn and actively participate in a program.
Workshops divided into five main modules (35h).
Build product, set the strategy, get the first customers, organization culture, fundraising and IP.
1on1 consultations with Mentors (2h).
In addition to scheduled workshops, every Participant has the opportunity to work individually with chosen mentors to apply the knowledge from workshops in the best possible way.
1on1 meetings with a dedicated Tutor (4h).
Each participant will meet with their designated Tutor biweekly for guidance and support with startup challenges.
Selected 10 founders will get a 10k USD grant for startup development.
During the final phase of the program, on Demo Day, startups will pitch their ideas in front of a jury.
Access to Huge Thing Mentors, Experts, and Partners network.
Every Participant will gain access to the network of experienced Huge Things’ and SpeedUp Venture Capital Group mentors and partners, who can provide valuable guidance and advice.
Increased visibility in the CEE startup ecosystem.
As Huge Thing is a well-known brand in the CEE startup ecosystem, accelerated startups gain better visibility and branding by working with us.
Networking opportunities.
Startups have the opportunity to network with other startups, corporates, and venture capitalists, as well as gain valuable insight into the industry.
Invitation to Female Founders Club.
All Participants receive access to the exclusive Female Founders Club – a space for alumni where Huge Thing will provide extra activities.
Access to Huge Thing Mentors, Experts, and Partners network.
Every Participant will gain access to the network of experienced Huge Things’ and SpeedUp Venture Capital Group mentors and partners, who can provide valuable guidance and advice.
Get chosen to join the program.
To be eligible for a grant, you must first be accepted into the program. Only participants of the FSP program are eligible to receive grants.
Being chosen as one of the top 10 startups during Demo Day.
During Demo Day, each startup will be evaluated by a jury, which will assign scores and compile a list of grantees.
Pass a positive verification by the grant committee.
The grant committee will conduct a due diligence process to verify your eligibility for receiving the grant. If you successfully complete the process, you will receive the grant.
Visa Foundation seeks to support inclusive economies where individuals, businesses, and communities can thrive. Through grantmaking and investing, Visa Foundation prioritizes the growth of gender diverse and inclusive small and micro businesses globally.
Program Manager
Don’t hesitate to reach out.
We’ll be more than happy, to answer you!
Orlen
1. Tools for econometric analysis in the MarTech
We are looking for a solution that will enable econometric analyses in the context of planning marketing campaign activities. The system should have the capability to create econometric models (automatically, manually, inference systems based on distributed databases)
2. Electricity management in pilot energy community to to increase efficiency
We’re seeking a new energy billing model and compatible control system for a 50 kWp PV and 120 kWh energy storage project within an energy community. The solution must optimize electricity management based on dynamic pricing, enable monitoring, forecasting, and flow control for maximized self-consumption and adaptation to local energy needs. Scalability for future offerings is important.
3. Innovative technologies to improve the energy efficiency of process steam production
We are looking for a technology based on the cascade conversion of energy from hot air to improve the efficiency of steam production processes and generate additional electricity from previously unused thermal resources.
4. Tools to detect potential irregularities/frauds in the handling of transactions at petrol stations
We are looking for a solution to increase the level of detection and prevention of activities that may occur in transactions at service stations. The solution should use self-learning mechanisms.
5. Tools to optimise the management of the vehicle fleet (forklifts and tractors) on the production site
We are looking for a tool to coordinate the movement of vehicles (forklifts, tractors and semi-trailers up to 12 tonnes) within the company to enable the automation of company intralogistics.
6. Tools for measuring process steam flow using non-invasive techniques
We are looking for non-invasive tools to improve the accuracy of steam measurements on production facilities.
BNP Paribas
1. We are looking for an AI tool (agent) that will support BNP Paribas in a quick analysis of sme companies using available and up-to-date online sources for banking products.
2. Anti-fraud and KYC tool
We are looking for tools to support anti-fraud, anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) processes. These tools should demonstrate an innovative, proprietary approach to detecting fraud and money laundering patterns. We expect them to provide functionality to detect dormant accounts used for cybercrime, significantly speed up and simplify KYC activities, and effectively cross-check information between different data channels.
Carslberg Polska
Complaints and inquiries module in Hoppy application
We’re looking for a solution applicable in the Hoppy application which will support users in sending complaints. On the other hand the solution should support admin in effective management of reported complaints and inquiries.
PM3D
Data aggregator
We are looking for solutions that allow aggregation of data from different municipal systems. Current municipal systems are fragmented and poorly integrated due to disparate technologies and vendor lock-in, hindering public service and data management. This lack of a universal platform prevents efficient data exchange between key services.
The business need is an open, secure, and scalable integration platform to unify systems, improve management, and enhance citizen service.
Saint-Gobain
1. AI Agent
We are looking for an AI tool that will function within the website and, based on the company’s data resources, answer customer questions and create personalized recommendations for the use of Saint-Gobain materials and services. The agent must understand project requirements, suggest optimal materials and ensure compliance with sustainability and construction standards. His main task will be to provide Investors, Contractors and Designers with reliable information on the company’s products and complete system solutions tailored to the client’s needs. The solution should be scalable to include data covering various brands and capable of being implemented across various websites.
2. Building analysis
We are looking for a sales tool that will allow an in-depth analysis of the client’s planned investment – construction or renovation of various types of buildings. The tool should take into account basic as well as advanced parameters, such as primary energy demand, CO2 emissions, the amount of renewable energy needed to balance CO2, energy demand for cooling, acoustic analysis, daylight comfort or fire safety.
The tool should analyze the various parameters of the building depending on the material used (from the company’s portfolio) and recommend materials whose use will improve the parameters of the building to comply with current legislation and meet the customer’s needs
PZU - challenges
1. Mass process optimisation
Optimisation and automation of mass processes (e.g. benefits processing, claims settlement, underwriting, automation of back office processes, customer relationship management), particularly through tools using GenAI.
2. Pricing excellence
The challenge can be solved by a tool to better estimate and price insurance risks, both for individual and corporate clients, or by increasing the dataset for estimation or adding new variables to assess the risk of an event.
3. Insurance prevention
We’re looking for startups providing technologies and tools such as digital customer service platforms, advanced risk analysis tools or artificial intelligence to help manage risk and improve safety. The area of interest includes solutions for both corporate and individual clients.
4. Emerging technologies supporting insurance customer experience management.
5. All insurtech startups
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Franek Domachowski
Junior Program Manager
At Huge Thing, Franek actively supports programme managers in running acceleration programmes. He is an innovation and technology enthusiast with a deep passion for fashion and fabrics.
He studied at the School of Innovations at SWPS University in Warsaw, where he gained valuable knowledge about cutting-edge solutions. During his studies, he also worked as a researcher, conducting interviews for various projects, including a collaboration with Sexed. He gained valuable experience as a junior insight specialist, where he was responsible for creating UX reports.
Franek is a true people person, always eager to start conversations and meet new people. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and unwinding with a good film.
Veolia Poland - challenges
5. Customer experince improvement
Rossmann - challenges
The main challenge for this batch is to support Rossmann customers in the independent purchasing process, which can be delivered due to:
PZU
We are looking for:
Żabka Group - challenges
1. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (ONLINE AND OFFLINE)
New products & services to expand on our convenience ecosystem in areas of health, entertainment, betting, financial and insurance services.
Modern convenience foods such as: nutrition products (especially for school-aged children), nutritious snacks, dietary supplements, functional beverages & snacks.
2. FOODSERVICE & STREET-FOOD SOLUTIONS
Increase the attractiveness of our offer, improve the quality of service and increase operational efficiency in foodservice and our street-food offering. We are looking for innovations in: systems, processes, equipment, self-service facilities and food storage.
3. SALES AND MARKETING
Solutions aimed to: increase and optimise sales in-store, foster better business decision making and innovative in-store marketing. Mechanisms and products that support customer loyalty and influence positive daily habits and routines.
4. MOBILE APP/PHYGITAL
Engaging our customers in mobile app and physical stores. Creating & fostering community of dedicated customers through gamification and new technologies.
5. RETAIL TECHNOLOGIES
Disruptive solutions to transform the traditional retail with the help of new technologies i.e. AR/VR, IOT, blockchain, payment solutions, ESL.
6. NEW BUSINESS VERTICALS
Exploring and developing new business verticals that fit within our modern convenience strategy and further expand our ecosystem.
