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Startupbootcamp is a three month business startup acceleration program that runs quarterly during the year for startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses across Europe. With offices in London, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Israel and Eindhoven the accelerator focuses on exposing and connecting startups to an expanding community of key mentors and advisors.

Startupbootcamp’s new accelerator program SmartCity & Living 2015 is open for applications.

Over the 3 months program, selected high potential startups will accelerate their companies in Amsterdam. Our interview below is with Marc Wesselink and Carla Hubbard from SmartCity & Living team:

Q: What are the core benefits of the Smart City & Living program?

A: We help startups with the focus on Smart City & Living achieve in 3 months more than they would be able to achieve in 18 months. Startups will have access to an extensive international network of 2000+investors, mentors and partners that will work hand in hand with the startups to maximize their potential.

Q: At what stage of development should companies be when they apply for your program?

A: We accept startups with a minimum of 2 founders (3 is preferred) and a Minimal Viable Product which can be showed to us.

Q: How much capital do you give to entrepreneurs in Smart City & Living program?

We are giving €15K per team seed investment to found the startup during the 3 month stay in Amsterdam. We offer the teams 6 months free office space in Amsterdam and around € 450.000 of in kind products (if used). We have an average funding of €512K in Amsterdam and 38 out of 40 startups in Amsterdam received funding during or after the program.

Q: How do you process your applications?

A: Our Selection Manager Marc (Marc Wesselink), a serial entrepreneur himself, is traveling through Europe and organizing pitch days in Amsterdam (23-jan.-2015), Barcelona (19-jan.-2015), Berlin (21-jan.-2015), Hamburg (17-dec.-2014), Helsinki (10-dec.-2014), London (12-jan.-2014), Munich (15-jan.-2015), Paris (3-dec.-2014) and Rome (8-jan.-2015) to talk to as many startups as possible. Startups can apply to one of the pitch days through our website. During those pitch days the teams receive valuable feedback of industry experts. The teams can decide with Marc whether applying to our accelerator is the best move and discuss other options. Marc has started 12 companies himself and is now helping 40 Amsterdam Alumni with the execution of their company.

Q: What is the next step once they’re accepted to the accelerator?

A: They need to relocate their team to our office in Amsterdam for 3 months because acceleration means total focus. We are going to connect them with all the industry experts to validate their business, build a better version and make them ready to launch their product to the market.

Q: What is your message to entrepreneurs?

A: Never give up and keep listening to your target customers!