Scaleup and Innovation Program for Scaling up Sustainable Companies

The aim of Zebra ScaleUp project is to improve the lives of the inhabitants in the Central Baltic region (CBR) and bring cohesion and development to cross-border regions in the CB area by developing more successful Zebra scaleup companies. This has an impact on developing sustainable actions in economical, environmental and social levels. This project addresses the needs of mission-driven companies sometimes known as ‘Zebra Startups’ aiming to scale up their business. Zebra Startups are often tech-driven companies addressing pressing sustainaiblity challenges (e.g. circular economy) utilizing AI or deep tech solutions (e.g green tech, health tech), but they can also be found in other fields. Unlike Unicorns, Zebras focus on both profits and sustainability. As sustainability and profitability do not always reconcile, mission-driven companies often face tough decisions. While sustainable companies are becoming increasingly important as investment targets, many investors are concerned with quick financial returns. Despite challenges, we have already witnessed success stories of mission-driven scaleups. Public policies (e.g. promotion of SDGs) and grass-root events already support mission-driven companies. The challenge is the lack of and need for structured ways to help prominent companies reach the next level in their journey towards becoming the next success story from CBR. This project provides a tailored program for new companies with growth ambition. The project provides the companies with tailored help, peer-to-peer learning, and engages the companies with ecosystems. The guiding thought is quality over quantity. The project provides help and hands-on support from 3 thematical areas: RDI (e.g. algorithm development, deep tech), Business Design (e.g. attracting talent, growth marketing, sales) and Finance & Funding (e.g., networking with VCs, finding suitable investors). Central Baltic area project - collaboration needed due to different areas of expertise. Project results: 1. ECOSYSTEM EVENT AND KICK-OFF (2x50 participants abt. 40 companies): The project enhances possibilities towards the ecosystems by arranging 2 ecosystem engagement events for mission driven scaleups (raising awareness on scaleup opportunities) and 3 ecosystem engagement events focusing on the thematical areas and scaleup objectives. As ecosystem we refer to the wider stakeholder environments consisting of financing institutions, export businesses, NGO’s and others supporting organizations. The project starts with a kickoff + ecosystem event aiming to raise awareness for scaleup opportunities for companies who are in transition stage and aim to grow and to deepen their mission. The event consists of 3 thematic workshops on 1. RDI, 2. Business Design, 3. Finance and Funding to find out the best opportunity for growth. The companies will fill out an application to continue to the next phase. Best applicants (max 15 companies) will be selected to continue to bootcamps. 2. BOOTCAMPS LINKED TO 6 SCALE-UP OBJECTIVES (2 x at least 24 participants abt 20 companies):At least 15 supported companies proceed to a bootcamp for goal-oriented support track aiming to raise awareness for scaleup opportunities linked to 6 scaleup objectives. ScaleUp objectives/measurements: 1. raise their investments, 2. establish presence outside the homemarket, 3. develop a new product/service, 4. expand the key team, 5. develop business models, 6. company being merged/acquired/implemented in the Initial Public Offering (IPO).For one-on-one training camps the companies need to present their goal linked to the 6 scaleup objectives. Thanks to the funnel method the project benefits at least 15 companies. All companies present their mission tracks to mentor panel, where at least 6 companies with most promising growth missions are hand-picked to proceed into one-on-one training camps. 3. ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING CAMPS(2x12 participants at least 10 companies, sessions 2-4) One-on-one training camps include coaching/mentoring.Training camps allow the companies to use experts and RDI capacities of the universities to release their full growth potential. 4. DEMODAY (company presentations at least 12 participants/abt. 10 companies; at least 3 companies become scaleups) 5. FINAL ECOSYSTEM EVENT (2x50 participants abt. 40 companies) ecosystem event aiming to raise awareness for scaleup opportunities for companies who are in transition stage presenting 7 success stories and focusing on ways to scaleup (3 themes and 6 objectives). 6. AT LEAST 7 NEW SCALEUP COMPANIES: Through these actions project expects to launch 7 new scaleup companies aiming to become success stories by enabling to raise their investments, establish presence outside the home market, develop a new product/service, expanding the key team, developing business models or a company being merged/acquired/implemented IPO. Project budget: In total 932 962 EUR; per partner HHUAS 599 756 EUR and Tehnopol 333 206 EUR.

The objective of this project is to raise the awareness of scaleup opportunities and develop skills to scaleup new Zebras by focusing on thematic areas:RDI,Business development&Finance (ecosystem+kickoff event). After this we will focus further to 6 measurables (Bootcamp events, one-on-one camps, demoday) which measure weather the new SME Zebra company has been able to scaleup (1.raise investments, 2.establish presence outside homemarket, 3.develop new product/service, 4.expand key team, 5.develop business models 6.company merged/acquired/implemented in IPO). The final objective is that 7 new Zebra companies have scaled up (measured this objective by 6 above measurements). We conclude the project with a final event that aims to raise awareness for scaleup opportunities for companies who are in transition stage and aim to grow and to deepen their mission by presenting 7 success stories and focusing on ways to scaleup (3 themes and 6 objectives).