The Programme

The Accelerate İzmir Growth Strategy Validation Programme (GSVP) is an acceleration programme for companies wishing to rapidly increase the commercialisation and internationalisation of their innovative products or services.

GSVP will provide participant companies with tailor-made or needs-based growth services to increase their competitive edge. The programme comprises:

• 12 week training programme
• 14 hours of dedicated coaching and specialised ad hoc mentoring

• Legal mentoring, contact database and webinar series
  
• IP review and possible patent support

• Investment review and possible access to investors
  
• Demo day dedicated to the İzmit ecosystem
• Training sessions, mentorings and experience sharing focused on international expansion 
• Possible international market analysis  
• International market visit for selected companies

Upon completion, we expect companies to have increased their ability to grow sales in national markets, understand how to enter international markets, and be ready for further investment to help them achieve these goals.

The programme is open to any startup or SME (or even a strong team committed to incorporate a business):

• You should be based in İzmir, the Aegean Region or even nationally (if there is a commitment to relocate part of your business to İzmir)
  
• You will have an innovation (product, service or business process) in any sectors espacially in ICT and clean energy.
  
• You might be a startup, an SME or a spin-out from a university or larger company.
  
• You are ready to grow, nationally and internationally, and you will have the ambition for your company to scale up.
  
• You have a product or service, either in the market or as a strong prototype, that provides a solution to a well-defined need.
  
• Your team will ideally cover technology, product, sales and marketing, and general management.
  
• You may be funded, or you may be looking for financing. But you will be confident your business would be of interest to investors.