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:

• 128 hours of training
  
• 24 hours of dedicated coaching (plus 4-hour initial meeting) and specialised ad hoc mentoring
  
• Commercialisation Roadmaps
  
• Legal services review and support
  
• IP review and possible patent support
  
• Marketing review and possible detailed marketing plan
  
• Investment review and possible access to investors
  
• Internationalisation review and possible international market analysis and European visit 

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 the ICT or Renewable Energy sectors.
  
• 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.