The journey of a startup is filled with challenges, from developing a product to scaling the company into a successful organization. For startups in Central and Eastern Europe, these challenges are often compounded by a lack of resources and support. Although the startup landscape has improved, there’s still a lot to be done in order to catch up to their Western counterparts. Bosch Digital is committed to addressing these challenges through its Bosch Startup Harbour accelerator program. This program offers a unique opportunity for startups to collaborate with Bosch teams across the globe, advancing their solutions with engineering, mentorship, and more. QuarkXR and Efemarai, two companies from the region, embarked on this journey last year, marking the program’s first steps towards internationalization with Bulgaria as a representative.
Collaboration on International Level
The Bosch Startup Harbour program is designed to put startups in contact with the people they need to take their ideas to the next level. This year, the program is facilitated by Bosch teams in Germany, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Poland, enabling startups to collaborate and advance their development with engineering, mentorship, and more. The form of collaboration is defined individually between the Business Unit and the startup, ranging from a co-learning journey, where the startup receives mentoring, coaching, and feedback on their business model or technology, to a co-innovation journey, including a Proof of Concept (PoC) with Bosch.
According to the Bosch Chairman, Dr. Stefan Hartung, “an open innovation culture is the key to faster solutions in an increasingly complex world”. That is why the Bosch Startup Harbour is a very important Bosch project.
The Best of Startup and Corporate Worlds
In addition to the accelerator program, Bosch Digital Bulgaria and Founder Institute will co-host a special side event on September 13, 2023, from 07:00 pm to 10:30 pm at the Bosch Digital’s office in Sofia. The event, titled “Corporates & Startups: Disrupting Industries Together,” is designed to encourage dialogue and networking between startups and established corporations.
One of the notable speakers at the event is Nikita Kharchenko, Startup Business Development Manager at AWS. With extensive knowledge of the startup ecosystem in the SEE region and experience as an entrepreneur, Nikita will share valuable insights into how AWS supports startups in their growth journey. He will also discuss the benefits of partnerships between startups and enterprises and how they can be mutually beneficial.
This event is an excellent opportunity for startups not only to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of collaborating with corporations but also to meet the Bosch team and explore potential partnerships. For more details and to register for the event, visit the event page.
Addressing Startups’ Challenges
Startups often navigate a complex landscape filled with challenges ranging from technology development and business model validation to market access and collaboration with established corporations. The Bosch Startup Harbour program is positioned to alleviate these common pain points and is particularly interested in startups working on innovation based on generative AI and synthetic data, taking compliance training to the next level with GenAI, integrating extended reality (XR) in automated driving software development, human interaction in the metaverse supported by connected smart sensors and shaping the sustainable & digital revolution of industries.
Atanas Atanasov, who leads the program on Bosch’s side for Bulgaria and is the connection between startups and corporations, says, “The idea of the program is both to help the development of startups, but also to be applied in specific business cases for which the Group is looking for a solution”.
For startups grappling with technology development, the program serves as a springboard. By facilitating direct collaborations with Bosch teams in Bulgaria, Germany, Serbia, and Poland, startups can access a wealth of engineering expertise and mentorship.
The question of business model validation is another frequent hurdle. The program’s structured mentorship helps startups refine and validate their models, providing both coaching and actionable feedback.
Accessing new markets is an ambitious undertaking that can overwhelm even the most promising startups. Leveraging Bosch’s global footprint can offer startups the market penetration they often struggle to achieve on their own.
If these challenges resonate with you, applying to the Bosch Startup Harbour program could be the solution you’ve been searching for. The application process involves three straightforward steps: sending your application via the program’s website, undergoing evaluations and interviews, and receiving a final decision by November 2023.
How to Get Involved
The journey of an entrepreneur is filled with challenges, but the right support can turn those challenges into stepping stones to success. The Bosch Startup Harbour program offers a unique opportunity for startups in Central and Eastern Europe to collaborate, innovate, and grow across a range of key sectors.
So, take your startup to the next level by applying to the Bosch Startup Harbour program and registering for the side event in Sofia on September 13, 2023. Visit the Startup Harbour’s website for more information on the program, focus areas, and application process.
