FAQ - NextEdu 2023

APPLICATION PROCESS

How do I apply for xEdu Accelerator Program?

When the application period is announced we share a link to the application form on our website, newsletter and social media. To apply to the program, go through the link, register your company and team and answer the application questions during the application period.

Note: You can fill part of the application and get back to it and edit as much as you want before you choose “finalised” status for your application. Make sure you have your application status as “finalised” before the application period is over.

After the application period ends, xEdu chooses 20-25 startups to proceed to the second stage with interviews. We will let you know within a week after the end of the application period whether you are chosen for the interview. Please note that if your application is rejected it does not necessarily mean that your product or service is not good in our eyes. It may be that we feel that we cannot support you well enough.

Note: We announce the interview dates on the application page latest at the end of the application period. The interview lasts for 20 min per company. Teams near Turin are advised to be physically present in for the interview. Otherwise the teams can participate online (we use Zoom).

After all the interviews are over, we strive to let you know within days whether you are chosen to participate in the program. After the decision, we deliver a contract to you and after the signing, you are officially in. In the end, we choose from 8 to 12 startups in the program.

On what stage does the company need to be to be accepted in?

You need to have the company registered and at least a prototype ready. In the latest programs most of the accepted companies have had at least first first pilot customers, and they are thinking of product development based on the feedback and the internationalisation options.

How much time will it take?

Participation in the program requires commitment of 1 to 5 working days per week depending on the week (approximately 2-3 times of physical participation per week + working on business development, co-creation activities and others).

Generally speaking, you get the most out of the program if you truly focus on it and give back as well. Read more about it here.

I have an awesome idea and want to develop it at xEdu. Can I do it?

At the moment, we focus on acceleration of the startups that already have a product or a working service, an a team (two people is a team, one is not). However, we sometimes organise hackathons or boot camps for idea-stage startups. We recommend to follow us not to miss these opportunities.

Does xEdu take equity? Do we need to pay anything?

Yes, we take 3 % of equity for the acceleration program. Additional equity may apply in case of investment. No, you don’t need to pay for any other services within the scope of the program. We have also negotiated special prices for certain additional services you may want to use (e.g. preparing a shareholder agreement).

Does xEdu fund companies?

xEdu does not fund the companies directly, but we work closely with our investor partners focused on education startups and social impact.

Does my startup have to be technology-based to be accepted?

We look at education in a broad sense, so your product/service doesn’t have to be technology-based. However, we do prefer startups with a possibility to scale and go to international markets. So if your startup doesn’t use any technology at all, it has to be quite unique for us to accept it and for you to make the most out of the program.

Do you look at the pedagogical side of my product/service?

Yes. Pedagogy and learning principles are important to us. It is also important that it correlates with the 21st-century skills.

We applied before but didn’t get chosen. Can we apply again?

Yes! You can apply as many times as you want. It happened before that the startups were not ready yet for the program but had potential and got accepted after applying for the second/third time.

OUR STARTUP IS BASED OUTSIDE OF ITALY

Can foreign companies apply to xEdu?

Yes, any company from any country can apply and take part in the program (if accepted, of course).

We got accepted to the program. Do we have to establish a company in Italy?

No, you can have your company registered in your own country. You don’t need to have any relations to Italy except for travelling over during the program.

Do we need to move to Turin for the duration of the program?

We have had 3 ways of participating for foreign teams:

- Moving to Turin for duration of the program.

- Teams living close by, may have chosen to travel to Turin during accelerator days.

- If a team comes from far away and has good reasons (e.g. family situation) that do not allow a permanent stay in Turin, a team can decide to travel to Italy at the beginning of the program, in the middle and a few weeks at the end and do the rest online.

Note: The more actively you participate — the better value you get out of the program. Online participation is possible only in some sessions since our workshops are highly interactive. Also, the watercooler effect (or in Finland and Italy the coffee break effect) helps create and foster social bonds and drives innovation.

Do I need to speak Italian?

No, the language of the program is English. However, your level of English should be quite high as you’ll be developing the business and pitching in English.

Note: There might be some activities in the program organised by our partners in Italian or some communication done in Italian. We will always try to organise ways of translating the information to you.

What about travel and accommodation expenses?

We will be helping with finding accommodation for out of country (in special cases also for out of town) teams.

We do not provide travel allowance to accepted participants. Many countries have local support systems for startups’ travelling, please check if you have access to those.

PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM

How many programs do you run?

In 2023 we will run one one incubator program (online) and one accelerator program (in Torino, Italy).

When will NextEdu take place?

NextEdu 2023 will take place in Turin, from September to December 2023. The dates for the programme will be announced via social media and newsletter.

What happens during the program?

Check our previous Acceleration Journey here.

Do I need to be present at the program activities?

Yes, we require physical participation during the most program activities. We do that for the sake of community building and better learning. Since we take only education startups, it makes peer support and peer sharing a lot more efficient compared to a general accelerator. Please read more about this here.

What happens after the program?

After the graduation from the program, you become a part of our alumni network. We continue helping you grow. As an xEdu alumni, you get among others:

- Access to GAN networks and all the perks coming with it.

- xEdu community support, trainings and events. Especially meeting at Slush and XcitED.

- Possibilities to go to international markets through our partnerships.

- Negotiated discounts to some EdTech events.

- Connections to investors.

Thanks for stopping by. Ask us anything.

Please write to us at info@xedu.co