Lean Startup is an innovative approach to maximizing learning and works by validating hypotheses in the shortest possible time horizon. Creating new products or changing an existing business model, often in conditions of high uncertainty, requires an approach that lets turn assumptions into data that can validate (or refute) those assumptions. In this module, beneficiaries will learn how to state their assumptions as hypotheses and how to design experiments to validate those hypotheses.

Date to be announced!

The SMEs will receive support in design their proposals and assessing the sustainability with qualitative approaches. It consists of a first course in the physical event on the systemic thinking approach and Systemic Design principles (technical materials requirements: computer + projector). This course defines the cultural background and prepare the following work with the SMEs, providing terminologies and methodological details. After the SMEs will receive a one-hour workshop as an in-class physical event adopting the ‘learning by doing’ approach, where the POLITO team will explain and support them directly in developing the project proposal, mapping the context where the proposal fit and defining the system that they want to create (fluxes of energy and matter, processes, actors involved – the holistic diagnosis) thanks to graphic visualization tools (technical materials requirements: white A2 sheets of papers, colour pencil and pens, post-it).

Date to be announced!

A business plan is a very important strategic tool for entrepreneurs. A good business plan not only helps entrepreneurs to focus on the specific steps necessary to make their business ideas succeed, but it also helps them to achieve both their short-term and long-term objectives. Every SME applying for DigiCirc open calls will submit an initial business plan. The selected SMEs, during phase 1, will be supported by OFI business experts to consolidate their plans by sharing with them business model templates, analysing each plan section, explaining most used indicators, and providing best practices.

Date to be announced!

Highly complementary with business model consolidation module, during this course the SME beneficiaries will be supported in conducting a professional market and customer analysis, paying special focus on identifying the target customers, analysing the industry and identifying market trends, and developing a competitive analysis. This module is strengthened by DigiCirc InfoPortal: market trend watch and regulation compliance watch.

Date to be announced!

During the entire duration of the accelerator program, DRX supported by CLMS, will establish a help desk to guide the program participants through all the services offered by DigiCirc LSDs, maximizing platforms’ potential, usability and value.

Date to be announced!

As building cross-sector and/or cross-border SMEs consortia is mandatory to access phase 2 of the accelerator, during the first part of the program, F6S in collaboration with SMEs’ business coaches and POLITO, will support the funded SMEs to highlight the weak points of their teams, to develop profiles of need cross-sector/crossborder partners and to set up partnering reach strategies. This will largely be a workshop, but will also include “best- practice” lectures and an overview of strategy. Once the required partner profile is established, the Matchmaking Tool will facilitate the process of consortia creation.

Date to be announced!

A minimum viable product (MVP) is a development technique in which a new product or service is developed with sufficient features to satisfy early adopters. The final, complete set of features is only designed and developed after considering feedback from the product’s initial users. OFI, based on the lengthy experience with a large network of international SMEs, will provide knowledge, best practices and workshops on how to make best use of this development technique.

Date to be announced!

OFI will deliver a comprehensive overview of the launch process: from discovery/development up to maturity, and a structured roadmap with detailed steps to plan consortia full cross-functional launch process. As well, they will provide SMEs with insights about the different type of launch strategies, enabling them to select the most suitable one for their innovation.

Date to be announced!

Intellectual Property is a basket of different rights, ranging from areas of trademarks, patents, copyright, database rights, designs and confidential information. Intellectual Property Rights are important to businesses as they are intangible assets that can be financially exploited because like physical property, they can be sold or licensed. Every business possesses such assets whether they are aware of it or not. ARL team’s expertise on IPR management will greatly benefit DigiCirc SMEs, supporting them in the understanding of all the different legal implications and in the selection of the best IPR management strategy for their solutions.

Date to be announced!

During this module FST will translate all their knowledge and expertise as successful VC firm into guidelines for the accelerator participants on how to attract further private investments. The module complements the investment landscape mapping service, using the results of the latter to develop individual strategies for each SME consortia.

Date to be announced!

At the end of the accelerator program each SME consortia will have to pitch in front of three experts. It is of utmost importance to be able to summarize all the most important information about an innovation in 10 minutes and to create a flowless speech that highlights the large market potential of the solution. FST will provide DigiCirc SME consortia with concrete steps on how to improve their pitches skills and with video material of the most successful high-tech start-up pitches. As well, in collaboration with business coaches, FST will instruct the SMEs consortia on how to develop well designed presentations that can catch the attention of the investors, focusing on data and numbers, rather than extensive text.

Date to be announced!

Resource management is the process of pre-planning, scheduling, and allocating companies’ resources to maximize efficiency, therefore minimizing waste streams. CLMS will provide insights about resource allocation and resource flows, supported by the tools implemented in LSD-enabling tool 2: industrial symbiosis.

Date to be announced!

Financial planning is the process of allocating funds to and determining how a business will achieve it different goals and objectives outlined by the business. Financial planning is almost as important as setting up a business. This is a necessity for any business belonging to any industry, particularly in emerging ones. OFI will support DigiCirc SME consortia to distinguish between technical and fundamental analysis, to understand and analyse financial indicators, tools, and different type of investment approaches (top-down, bottom up). The outcome of this module is a realistic financial plan for each SME consortia.

Date to be announced!

The System Dynamics approach assesses stocks, flows and feedbacks loops that affect the system behaviour and develop a quantitative model that can be used for analysis and case scenario policy simulations. Each team will be assisted to develop the System Dynamics stock and flow diagram model, elicit equations that represent the relationships between the various variables affecting the problem, write the model into a System Dynamics software package (such as Vensim or Stella) and run various simulations to enable case scenario analysis.

Date to be announced!

Business leaders and organizations can examine how their decisions relate to social responsibility, which is a general concept that can include social as well as cultural, economic and environmental issues. By integrating business ethics and principles of social responsibility, organizations and start-ups can make a difference in the world and enhance their reputation. BLC will support SME consortia to develop ad-hoc CSR and business ethic strategies, tailored to their needs, to maximize both their environmental and social impact, as well as their marketing appeal.

Date to be announced!

In today’s economy, communication and marketing are the backbone of any start-up success story. An innovative communication and marketing strategy often differentiate successful businesses from unsuccessful ones. Therefore, it is crucial to provide DigiCirc funded SMEs with up to date knowledge about communication channels, with greater focus on social media. As well, throughout the course, F6S will discuss the most successful marketing strategies for high tech products and services.

Date to be announced!

The globalized economy obliges even small businesses to look at the international market to survive and to become more competitive. The internationalization module will discuss the opportunities, challenges and critical needs of European SMEs, to expand their business outside the EU. The module will provide information about regulatory needs and issues carried by international expansions, available initiatives in support of internationalization, best practices. During the module, consortia will be tutored to develop internationalization scenarios for their solutions.

Date to be announced!