GUIDE

The BioSense AgTech FoodTech Accelerator will select only 10 companies (startups) for business acceleration. This means a memorable, white glove experience. We focus all of our time, energy and network on you.

This year BioSense Accelerator opens its doors for regional applicants. This means that startups from Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina are eligible for applications to 2023 program.

BioSense Accelerator is an intensive 3-month program that targets AgTech startups and acts as a bridge between science and business. It is an excellent opportunity for startups to bring their bold AgTech ideas to life, grow, fast track their journey, and solve key challenges in the agrifood sector. The accelerator is the first and the only one in the country that provides support to domestic and regional IT entrepreneurs focused on creating innovative and groundbreaking digital solutions for agriculture.

BioSense Accelerator focuses on speeding up development and growth of startups in the field of technology in agriculture, by providing training, mentoring, support and community. BioSense Accelerator takes in AgTech startups and turns them into market ready ventures with early proof of concept. In doing so, BioSense Accelerator contributes to development of AgTech ecosystem in Serbia.

KEY DATES

Application deadline: February 1 st 2023

Pitching Session: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a pitching session, to be held on February 20th 2023.

Team selection and results: End of February 2023

Programme start date: March 1 st 2023

Programme duration: 12 weeks, until the middle of June 2023.

OUR PARTNERS

H2020 ANTARES aims to evolve BioSense Institute into a European Centre of Excellence (CoE) for advanced technologies in sustainable agriculture. We strive to deliver disruptive digital solutions to the European farming sector, boost research excellence, stimulate entrepreneurship and employment at regional level, and secure enough safe food for growing global population.

For more information, visit us at https://antaresproject.eu/

2023 Edition of BioSense Accelerator is supported by Serbia Innovates, a four-year project aimed at strengthening the innovation driven Serbian economy in the economy segments with the biggest potential for growth. Launched by ICT Hub with the support of USAID, the overall goal of the project is to strengthen the Serbia’s economy through innovation development. The central point of the project is a Supercluster – a globally proven business model that will help us achieve the desired results in the local environment.

Find out more information at https://srbijainovira.rs/

• How can I join the program if I am not based in Novi Sad?

  This year we are adapting the program to enable both in-person and online remote participation depending on the needs of applicants and program structure. We will do our best to find ways for all selected participants to have an inspiring and educational experience during the program. Startups from Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina are eligible for applications to 2023 program.

• What are the DEAL TERMS & PERKS?

  With the assistance of top-notch local and international mentors and trainers, the startups will test their models to achieve traction within 3 months of intensive acceleration program. With years of experience in the sector, BioSense equips early-stage and growth-stage AgTech with the necessary tools and resources for success. The workshops will be conducted in English.
  What we offer:
  

  • Acceleration Program & Tailored Support - Training workshops, mentoring support, peer to peer mentoring, bootcamp, pitching events, testing. International and local expert and mentor support.
  • Network & Community - Sectoral connections across Europe in the fields of R&D, business development, financing, sales, etc. Access to corporations, farms, university and research institutions, other startups, experts, consultants and other stakeholders. Access to dedicated AgTech communication channel (workspace). Access to BioSense Accelerator Alumni.
  • Niche Expertise - Access to mentors, experts, researchers, data and resources from AgTech sector.
  • Access to Resources - Biosense research facilities, co-working space, data sets, big data analytics, competent employees, testing grounds (demo farms), equipment (low-cost miniature sensors, satellite imaging, robotics, etc.). Visibility;*
  • Access to Funding - Support in grant funding, access to private investors, VC Funds, corporations.
  *Subject to availability throughout the duration of the program

• What happens during the ACCELERATION PROGRAM?

  Upskill yourself and excel in the Agrifood sector! BioSense Accelerator provides a 3-month-long immersive tailor-made training program for AgTech startups, where they gain exclusive access to in-house tech support, access to community and networking, coaching by international and local mentors and trainers, AgTech niche expertise, access to Biosense resources, support in access to funding, and a chance to achieve market readiness with early traction/proof of concept. Our syllabus covers all aspects of technology from beginning to end providing you with the foundation for success in the Agrifood sector.
  Individual tailor-made support will be developed for each startup, focusing on (but not limited to) techniques and skills related to:

  • CUSTOMER DEVELOPMENT, which plays a crucial role in the startup setup and an essential skill to obtain when entering today’s hectic markets. The startups will be prepared for the next phase of the acceleration program by testing their initial hypothesis about their businesses/ideas and realizing the direction they want to take. The main outcome will be a clear problem-solution fit. The teams will discover who are the customers, what they want, what channels to use to reach them, how to get/keep/grow customers, strategic activities needed to deliver the product, internal resources needed, partners needed and costs. This will set the strong foundations for the startups at the very beginning of the program.
  • VALUE PROPOSITION AND MVP/PROTOTYPING, the startups will develop their own models based on the support they receive in this module, which will set the route for their further development. This module will help the startups understand better what is the product or service they are providing. Through this process they will learn what value does the product or service provide and how is it different from their competitors. These benefits will help the business grow and succeed in the market.
  • MARKETING AND SALES, Ultimate outcome of the third model, as well as the full Biosense acceleration program, will be the proof of product/market fit for the attending startups. They will reach their first customers through different marketing channels and make their first sales. Hopefully this will lead some of them to achieving an early traction for their products/businesses.

• Who can apply for the BIOSENSE AGTECH ACCELERATOR?

  • A formed startup team.
  • With a clear business idea which is either: a disruptive solution applicable in agriculture, improvement of existing solutions, or the digitalization of previously analogue solutions.
  • And a prepared pitch-deck (maximum 10 pages/slides)

• HOW IS THE SELECTION DONE?

  After you apply, BioSense team will screen your applications and decide who will be invited for the initial interviews and pitching sessions. Selected teams will be the part of the third BioSense accelerator batch of startups.

  The selection procedure will take into account the relevance of the business idea on both global and local markets. In case of strong competition, maturity of the startup will be an important deciding factor and more mature startups will be given advantage. It is expected that startups will participate actively in the program, so the startups which can’t commit their time will be excluded. Also, broader compatibility with BioSense strategic research agenda will be considered when assessing the startups.

• WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROGRAM?

  Even after the acceleration programme finished, we will continue to give advice and make introductions as long we can provide relevant support. Also, the connections with our mentors and fellow startups remain and in the future you will become a member of the BioSense alumni group which will provide further support to its members.

• HOW IS THE SELECTION DONE?

  After you apply, BioSense team will screen your applications and decide who will be invited for the initial interviews.Selected teams will be the part of the second BioSense accelerator batch of startups.

  The selection procedure will take into account the relevance of the business idea on both global and local markets. In case of strong competition, maturity of the startup will be an important deciding factor and more mature startups will be given advantage. It is expected that startups will participate actively in the program, so the startups which can’t commit their time will be excluded. Also, broader compatibility with BioSense strategic research agenda will be considered when assessing the startups.

• WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROGRAM?

  Even after the acceleration programme finished, we will continue to give advice and make introductions as long we can provide relevant support. Also, the connections with our mentors and fellow startups remain and in the future you will become a member of the BioSense alumni group which will provide further support to its members.