The Program

Why this program?

We believe that impact ventures play a vital part in accelerating the worldwide adoption of sustainable and inclusive technologies, policies, and behaviours. Our goal is to make impact ventures ready for investment, growth and international impact. 

We aim to catalyse investment into social enterprises by building the impact investment ecosystem in Central and Eastern Europe. We work with local investor communities and show them the opportunities and potential of impact investment, linking them to internationally operating investor networks.

We have been enabling ventures from the CEE region to reach their investment potential since 2011.

The program in a nutshell

During 4 months a cohort of 15 selected entrepreneurs engage in a systematic review of their business model, strategy and team, before crafting a validated growth and investment plan. Participants get access to high level mentors, experts and our network of impact investors.

Your benefits

  1. Build your growth strategy and investment case in a structured way
  2. 20+ hours customised support from high-level mentors and experts
  3. Access to 100+ impact investor network & the CEE Impact Day
  4. 12 months Impact Hub Vienna community membership

Program dates

Download the IRP Factsheet for an overview of the program

  • Deadline for application: 11th of  March (23.59 CET)
  • Module 1: 17-20 April
  • Local cohort meetup: May 17
  • Module 2: 20-22 June
  • CEE Impact Day: October 2018 (date tbd)

Application for the spring edition 2018 will open on the 24th of January 2018.

Program details

Module 1: 17-20 April

  • Review of your business model, strategy and plan
  • Introduction to impact investing
  • Investment case part I: type of investment, valuation
  • Financial planning
  • Impact measurement
  • Pitch to peers, partners and investors (in informal setting)
  • Mentor matching
  • Setting milestones for the program

Local meetup & working session: May 17

  • Peer to peer support
  • Working session based on the needs of the group
  • Pitch training

Module 2: 20-22 June

  • Build your investment case – part 2: review shareholder structure, create term sheet
  • Working session with mentors and experts
  • Negotiations
  • Team and organisational growth
  • Sales
  • Pitch to investor panel (feedback)

Personalised support (20 hours):

Throughout the 4-month program you get access to our network of mentors, experts and resources such as webinars, business tools and templates. We match you to the right people and resources with help of a personalised development plan.

CEE Impact Day: October 2018 (exact date tbd)

All participants get a ticket to the CEE Impact Day. The CEE Impact Day is the largest regional Impact Investment Conference conducted by Impact Hub Vienna in cooperation with OeKB and ERSTE Bank. Only the best ventures will be selection pitch for investors at the CEE Impact Day.

Eligibility & Application

You can apply for the program if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are a purpose-driven entrepreneur, working on a scalable solution to a societal challenge.
  • You have a proof-of-concept (you are revenue generating, revenue testing)
  • You are seeking investment (€25k-€1MIO).
  • Your venture is legally incorporated in a country in the CEE Region.

>>APPLY directly through https://investment-ready.org/apply

Deadline for application 11 March 2018 23.59 (CET)

 

Program value & Fee

The value of the program is €15.000 per venture.
Your contribution for participation is €995 (per team) + up to 5% success fee after investment (decided upon individual negotiation).

For ventures from the Western-Balkans the contribution is covered by the Austrian Development Agency.

For more information, download the IRP Term sheet and Venture Agreement

 

What happens after the program?

During a period of 2 years (after the start of the program) we monitor your impact and will keep matchmaking where possible and relevant. It is important to us that our alumni find the investment they need. It is also important that we measure the impact of our program and keep learning and improving it.

Optionally, we can offer support in organizing the due diligence phase and the negotiations with your investors until your deal is closed.

And we hope it doesn’t end there. Over the last five years we gathered the experience to supporting impact ventures in your scaling phase (through the Scaling Program) and we hope you will stay a part of our community!

The Warm-Ups

Learn more about this series of concise one-day workshops loaded with content.

The CEE Impact Day

Learn more about getting involved with all the players in the impact investment scene. Make it your stage.