Laurence Hulin says that mixing a group approach with tailored coaching allows the Fit 4 Start team to pay attention to the needs of each start-up in the accelerator programme Luxinnovation

Laurence Hulin says that mixing a group approach with tailored coaching allows the Fit 4 Start team to pay attention to the needs of each start-up in the accelerator programme Luxinnovation

Following the success of the spring edition, which attracted 160 candidates from 17 countries, the autumn 2018 Fit 4 Start programme is now open to applications.

The successful start-ups will be offered a 16-week programme of intense coaching as well as attractive pre-seed funding (a grant of €50,000, to be matched by €10,000 of equity) and access to key networks. As well as offering places to 10 ICT start-ups, the new programme, Fit 4 Start #7, also has 5 places for start-ups specialising in health technologies.

“The funding is of course appreciated, but the experience of the international coaches and the exchanges between the participants themselves are even more valuable,” says programme manager Laurence Hulin from Luxinnovation.

Candidate projects should have an innovative slant and a team of at least 2 people, of whom at least one will work full time on the project during the Fit 4 Start programme.

The deadline for applications via the Fit 4 Start website is 27 August and the final selection, made by an expert jury, will be announced in October.