StartSmart CEE

Meet the incredible projects in our #ReThink Cohort! 🌟 We’ve selected startups using cutting-edge technology to tackle big challenges in health, quality of life and education: 🍼 neenCare helping parents monitor infant health to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome with a tool for early risk detection. 💻 Calmsie is an innovative startup supporting children's mental health with Mission Amygdala, a digital platform designed to prevent and treat depression and anxiety in kids aged 8–12. 🌸 MY OVU is an intravaginal sensor connected to a mobile app, designed to track the female fertility cycle and monitor gynecological health, supporting a conscious approach to well-being. 💊 Walletmed is developing an innovative metabolite monitoring system, including glucose, that eliminates the need for daily finger pricks or frequent replacement of adhesive sensors for people with diabetes. 🧠 RiskSense is a solution that helps individuals take control and minimize harm associated with substance misuse and addictive behaviors. 🦶Diabetic Foot Care is a startup supporting the healing of diabetic foot ulcers with an intelligent insole that adapts to the foot’s shape, relieves pressure on wounds, monitors pressure, supports wound healing, and enhances patient comfort. 🗣 Uhura Bionics is a solution facilitating natural communication by providing real-time voice conversion supported by AI to assist individuals with speech difficulties. 🛍 CodeSense is a mobile application that supports visually impaired individuals by enabling product scanning and identification, eliminating barriers to accessing product information. 🤖 Chatheroes Academy is revolutionizing education with an AI-powered platform that provides personalized, engaging learning through natural conversation. These startups show how technology can make a real difference, improving health, education, and quality of life. Best of luck to all the teams - we’re rooting for you! 🚀 #EuropeanFunds

A unique opportunity to meet in person – not just virtually – to share positive energy and exchange cards filled with warm wishes was provided by our Xmas Party yesterday! 🎄 ✨ We hope everyone left not only with a smile but also with an extra dose of motivation for the upcoming New Year. A heartfelt thank you to PKO Bank Polski for the wonderful hosting and to all of you for celebrating with us! 🎁 🎉

A huge thank you to Olga Sobieraj and Małgorzata Sztejter for sharing their expertise with our newest cohort of startups and their mentors during the StartSmart CEE mentoring kickoff! 🙌 Some of the key insights they shared included: 🔑 From Olga Sobieraj, who has been one of our dedicated and long-standing mentors. "Slow down to speed up": The real value of mentoring lies in each meeting, in one single insight, thought, discovery the startup will have. The one insight that will let them speed up their action and lead to meaningful results. Progress through action: Success comes from fast actions, but without focus and direction it's useless. Know your ideal client, really. Refine your value proposition, accordingly. And then make as much meetings, to get the Client, as possible. 🔎 From Małgorzata Sztejter Kingmakers: Clear expectations matter: Define roles and goals to ensure productive mentoring relationships. Challenge and grow: Mentors are there to ask thought-provoking questions and encourage startups to develop their own solutions. Prepare for the future: Focus not only on your product and business model but also on building your team and readiness for international markets. Thank you, Olga and Małgorzata, for inspiring our community!  Thank you, Filiberto Amati, 🚀 Efi Ben Artzy, Mazin Gadir PhD MSc BEng PMP Prosci LSSGB EBAS Agile, Agata Baryzewska, PhD, Agata Bona, Jonathan Castletine-Jackson, Dermot Corr, Arkadiusz Dobosz, Alina East, Kasia Kazior, Aneta Lee, Damian Grabowski, Agata de Ru, MBA, ✅ Patrick G. Kedziora, Piotr Klepczarek, Adam Kruszewski, Agata Pękalska, Robert Plesko, Pawel Poltorak, Piotr Serwin, Shaishav Amitbhai Shah, Anna Szymczak, Maciej Zawadzinski, Marcin Kolczyński, Joanna M. Pydo- Sustainable Finance, IPO, Investor Relations, Alfredo Jollon, CFA, Michal Glowacki, Krzysztof Kuwalek, Vassilios Vlahakis, for your engagement in this edition. 👏 🚀 #EuropeanFunds

ESA BIC Poland Demo Day is behind us, and we had the pleasure of supporting this exceptional initiative as partners of the ESA BIC program! 🎉 This event was a celebration of collaboration and joint commitment to the growth of the ESA BIC ecosystem. During the gala, awards were presented in three categories: 🏆 Best Technology Partner: Narodowe Centrum Badań Jądrowych 🏆 Best Business Partner: ABGi Poland 🏆 Best Legal Partner: Osborne Clarke - Poland A heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees! We cannot forget to mention the Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A., whose pivotal role has been key to the success of the ESA BIC program. A big thank you for your dedication! 🙌 We are proud to have been part of this exceptional event. 

Despite the fact that winter outside the window, with us still a whiff of spring because the results are in for the Spring 2024 Acceleration Program! 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that 21 startups have passed the selection stage and now their exciting projects are across our two development tracks 🚀. 💼 Pilot Ready Booster This track is for startups ready to partner with corporations and run proof-of-concept projects. Here are the innovative teams in this edition: 💻 AdsLinkers, 🚜 AgriSafe, 🔐 MobileTrust,  💼 muffintech,  🛒 MARTECH SOLUTIONS,  🏊♂️ Swimassist,  👨⚕️ Syntro,  ❤️ UES Ultra Echo Scan. 🔄 reTHINK Academy Our five-month track for early-stage startups helps refine products and get them market-ready. This edition’s 13 amazing teams are: 🤖 Chatheroes Academy, 🛍 CodeSense,  💻 Calmsie,  🦶 Diabetic Foot Care,  🌸 MY OVU,  🗣 Uhura Bionics,  ♻️ Rebench | Circular Furniture Platform,  🌱 Enjoy the Choice, 🍼 neenCare,  🏢 Outline AI,  🧠 RiskSense,  🍄 RongoDesign, 💊 Walletmed. and this group, in reTHINK Academy, was joined by Astrolayers team (being part of ESA BIC Poland program) We’re beyond excited to support these brilliant teams as they innovate and grow. Welcome aboard, StartSmart CEE! We’re rooting for all of you! 🤞🌟 #EuropeanFunds

What technological trends will shape the future? 🤖 How are startups dealing with global challenges like climate change, automation, and shifting business models? 🌍 What lessons can be learned from recent trends, including the rapidly developing AI technology? 🚀 These questions, along with the latest data on the Polish startup ecosystem, are addressed in the Polskie Startupy 2024 Report! 📊 Check the link to the report in the comments below.

From studying at the prestigious MIT, through her experiences in corporations, founding her own company, to working as an investment banker, our Co-Founder, Boguslawa (Bogy) Cimoszko Skowronski, shared her extraordinary professional journey in a conversation with Tomek Plata. ✨ Watch the latest episode of "Biznes bez Lukru". We haven't seen such energy between the host and the guest in a long time! Check out the video link in the comments! 🎥

We’ve wrapped up the application stage, and the energy around groundbreaking ideas has been incredible! Here’s a snapshot of the industries that drew the most innovation and creativity: 💻 Software & Services – 94 applications 📊 Data & Analytics – 52 applications 🏥 Healthcare – 34 applications 🚀 Deep Tech – 30 applications 💡 Digital Health – 30 applications 💰 Fintech – 26 applications Also standing out: 🛍️ E-commerce – 22 applications 🌱 Cleantech – 21 applications 🧘 Wellness – 21 applications 📢 Marketing – 21 applications These trends show how rapidly industries are evolving and how many sectors are undergoing significant transformations. Innovations in health, technology, data, finance, and sustainability are the responses to today’s global challenges. We’re excited to support the startups shaping the future! 🚀🌍 #EuropeanFunds

We have concluded the application stage for our acceleration program, and the results highlight the diverse startup community we’ve attracted this season. Applications came in from 36 countries, with some regions standing out in particular. The highest number of applications came from: 🇵🇱 Poland – a remarkable 115 applications, showcasing the dynamic growth of our local startup ecosystem! 🇺🇦 Ukraine – 23 applications 🇪🇪 Estonia – 19 applications 🇱🇹 Lithuania – 14 applications 🇱🇻 Latvia – 12 applications 🇭🇺 Hungary – 11 applications 🇬🇧 United Kingdom – 10 applications Other notable contributors include: 🇷🇴 Romania (9 applications), 🇭🇷 Croatia (8 applications), 🇨🇿 Czech Republic (7 applications), 🇩🇪 Germany (6 applications), 🇺🇸 United States (5 applications), and 🇫🇷 France (4 applications). We extend our gratitude to everyone who took the time to share their ideas. The next step involves making some tough choices, but we’re excited to see the best projects move forward with us on this journey. 🚀 #EuropeanFunds

We have completed 6 weeks of recruitment for our Autumn 2024 Acceleration Program! 💼🚀 We received 275 applications, a result that is higher than last year's fall acceleration, which had 194 applications. Thank you all for your interest in our program and for participating in the recruitment process! 🙏 Now, it's time for the selection stage, where we will choose the best ideas for our program. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for all participants! 🤞 We’ll be sharing more data soon, so be sure to follow our profile! 👀 #EuropeanFunds