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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The 'Huge Thing Startup Booster' is an acceleration program designed to support innovative technology companies (startups, micro and small enterprises) in their development. Its core objective is to accelerate growth through tailored programs focused on technology validation, global market expansion, or business model and technology development. This grant is SECTOR-AGNOSTIC for two of its paths ('Go Global' and 'Sector Agnostic') and SECTOR-SPECIFIC for its 'Industry Test' path, which addresses challenges set by various corporate partners across multiple industries. The program is primarily targeted at businesses based in Poland, with a global reach for those pursuing international expansion.

Financial Structure

This program provides financial support in the form of a 'development grant' and is equity-free, meaning the accelerator does not take a stake in your company in exchange for participation. This alleviates financial pressure on startups. Grant Amounts (per startup):

Industry Test path: Up to 80,000 EUR.
Go Global path: Up to 80,000 EUR.
Sector Agnostic path: Up to 46,000 EUR.

Overall Program Budget:

Total Project Value: 15,780,300.00 PLN (approximately 3.6 million EUR, based on current exchange rates).
EU Co-financing: 15,187,072.00 PLN (approx. 3.4 million EUR). This indicates that the funding for the program itself comes largely from European Union funds.

Cost Categories:

The grant is intended to support activities such as technology testing, global expansion, and product refinement. Specific eligible and ineligible costs are not detailed in the provided materials, but typically cover expenses directly related to these development activities.

Eligibility Requirements

This program is open to 'startups', 'micro enterprises', and 'small enterprises' that are technology companies ('spółek technologicznych') developing innovative solutions. Eligible Organization Types:

Startups: New, innovative technology companies.
Micro enterprises: Typically defined as companies with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total not exceeding 2 million EUR (definition based on EU guidelines for micro-enterprises, commonly applied in Polish contexts).
Small enterprises: Typically defined as companies with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total not exceeding 10 million EUR (definition based on EU guidelines for small enterprises, commonly applied in Polish contexts).

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Requirements:

Industry Test path: Your technology should be at a high level of maturity, specifically TRL 6-9.
- TRL 6: Technology demonstrated in a relevant environment.
- TRL 9: Actual system proven in operational environment.
Go Global path: Your technology should also be highly developed, at TRL 8-9.
- TRL 8: System complete and qualified.
- TRL 9: Actual system proven in operational environment.
Sector Agnostic path: This path is for early-stage technologies, specifically under TRL 5.
- TRL < 5: Ranges from basic principles observed (TRL 1) to technology validated in a lab environment (TRL 4) or a relevant environment (TRL 5).

Geographic Location:

Applicants must be based in Poland for project implementation. The program's territorial scope extends to Poland and abroad for activities like market expansion.

Application Process

The application process for the 'Huge Thing Startup Booster' is conducted in several rounds, allowing flexibility for submission. Application Procedure:

Applications are submitted through the accelerator's dedicated website. Links to application forms for 'Go Global' and 'Industry Test' paths are available.

Key Deadlines:

The overall contest was announced on June 24, 2024, with application submission beginning on the same day.
The latest listed deadline for receiving applications is November 14, 2025, specifically for the 'Industry Test - round IV'.
Other upcoming round deadlines include:
- Go Global round II: Applications open July 1, 2025, close July 31, 2025.
- Sector Agnostic round III: Applications open September 1, 2025, close September 30, 2025.

Program Duration:

The acceleration program itself is designed not to exceed 6 months per startup, structured around an individual acceleration plan with defined milestones.

Support Offered:

Financial Funding: Direct grants as detailed in the 'Financial Structure' section.
Mentorship & Tutoring: Support from experienced industry experts, tutors, and mentors.
Workshops: Tailor-made workshops addressing the specific needs and shortcomings of each startup.
Networking: Opportunities to connect with other startups, corporations, and venture capital funds.
Market Access: For 'Industry Test', direct collaboration with leading corporations. For 'Go Global', support from organizations in target international markets (Germany, USA, Asia).

Evaluation Criteria

While specific scoring criteria are not fully detailed, the selection process focuses on the alignment of the startup's technology with the program's objectives and the chosen acceleration path. The program supports 41 innovative startups. Key factors for consideration (implied by path objectives):

Innovation Level: The degree of technological innovation and its potential to address market challenges.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Suitability of the startup's TRL to the requirements of the selected path (Industry Test, Go Global, or Sector Agnostic).
Market Potential: For 'Industry Test', the ability to solve specific corporate challenges. For 'Go Global', the potential for successful international market expansion. For 'Sector Agnostic', the potential for technology development and business model viability.
Team Capability: Although not explicitly stated as a scoring criterion, the involvement of experienced mentors and tutors suggests that team's capacity to absorb and implement the acceleration program's guidance is important.
Expected Impact: The potential for implementing process innovations or pro-ecological innovations, as indicated by program goals.

Compliance & Special Requirements

The 'Huge Thing Startup Booster' program operates within a specific regulatory framework, being co-financed by European Union funds. Regulatory Compliance:

The program is co-financed under the 'European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021-2027' ('Fundusze Europejskie dla Nowoczesnej Gospodarki 2021-2027'), specifically Priority FENG.02 'Environment supporting innovation' ('Środowisko sprzyjające innowacjom'), Measure FENG.02.28 'Startup Booster Poland – Smart UP'. Applicants should be aware that projects funded by EU programs often come with specific reporting, audit, and compliance requirements, although these are not detailed for the startup recipients in the provided materials.

Unique Aspects:

Equity-Free Model: A significant advantage is that the program is 'equity-free', meaning participating startups do not give up any ownership or shares in their company in exchange for the acceleration program and grant.
Tailored Acceleration: Each startup benefits from an individual acceleration plan and customized workshops.
Corporate Collaboration: The 'Industry Test' path offers a direct opportunity to validate technology with major corporations (e.g., Saint Gobain, Rossmann, Grupa PZU, Veolia, PKO BP, Alior Bank, CPI Property Group, Legimi, Zduńska Wola).
International Expansion Support: The 'Go Global' path provides specialized assistance for market entry into specific countries (Germany, USA, and broader Asia, with partners mentioned in Singapore).
Focus on Innovation: The program explicitly targets innovative technology companies and aims to support the implementation of process and pro-ecological innovations.

Grant Details