The Faculty of Geology and Mining/ Polytechnic University of Tirana is one of the 11 partners in the ABCD - The Alliance of Boundary Crossing for Deep Tech project. The consortium consists of 11 partners and 2 Associated Partners as follows: Leader - Metropolitan University Hungary (METU); partners - University of Sarajevo; Business Accelerator UKIM (BAU); Polytechnic University of Tirana/ Faculty of Geology and Mining; Belgrade Metropolitan University (BMU); University American College Skopje; EPICENTAR - Center for education, entrepreneurship, and innovation; University of Crne Gora; DisruptiveHub; BothOfUs; Associated Partners are Innovation Center Kosovo and Verlab Institute (Bosnia & Herzegovina).

This project aims to be a leading platform for innovation and entrepreneurship in deep tech in the Western Balkans. It will foster an entrepreneurial mindset and support deep tech start-ups to grow globally through collaboration with all interested parties and enable connections with the local innovation ecosystem.

The project has defined five specific objectives to achieve this vision, in line with the third call of the HEI-Innitiative for Higher Education Institutions regarding internationalization and modernization of higher education through interdisciplinary collaboration and intercultural exchange.

As part of Work Package 3 (WP3), the ABCD Project has launched the Founders ABCD Program. It is a two-month program that aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans. The program focuses on researching, training, and preparing deep tech start-up businesses, gaining access to funding, and the pan-European innovation networks of EIT-KIC. The goal is to enhance the maturity level of start-up businesses, prepare them for pre-investment, and open doors to Europe through the EIT KIC Accelerator programs. The program is seeking new, innovative, and unique solutions from deep tech areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Materials, Blockchain, Biotechnology, Robotics, Drones, Photonics, Quantum Computing, Sustainable Energy, etc.

Only start-ups from the Western Balkans (Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo) can apply for this program. These start-ups must be registered businesses with a tax identification number (NIPT) and founded after 2015.

The applicant must be a micro or small private sector company with at least two co-founders who are at least 18 years old.

Applicants must submit their application documents only through the link: Apply_form | ABCD Project DeepTech (abcd-project-deeptech.org) or through www.abcd-project-deeptech.org.

Applications made through other means (via email or in person) will not be accepted.

The application deadline is September 13, 2023, at 23:59 CET. The Program Selection Committee will select up to 10 applicants, who will be notified by September 18, 2023, to participate in the online program.

The online program starts on September 23, 2023, and will run until November 30, 2023. The program will be conducted over a period of 10 weeks, covering 20 topics within 8 modules spread over 9 weeks, delivered by lecturers, industry experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and other mentors from the ecosystem. The program offers available financing opportunities for deep tech at the European level and 1:1 mentoring with the best mentors in the field.

The last week (the 10th week) is dedicated to the Final Pitching event for partners and investors of ABCD, where program participants will have the opportunity to present their progress and the overall business opportunity potential.

Below are the topics that will be covered:

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