Developed to support some of the most innovative and promising startups in Albania, the Mentorship Acceleration Program organized the very first meeting on November 17, 2023, bringing together start-ups, mentors, partners and key ecosystem stakeholders in Albania.
Implemented by ICTSlab multifunctional laboratory with the support of the Star Venture program of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for Western Balkans, co-financed by Luxemburg through Small Business Impact Fund and European Union with Western Balkans Enterprise and Innovation Facility (EDIF).
12 selected startups joined the first meeting held during Global Entrepreneurship Week at Europe House with the aim to present program objectives, timeline and the work done so far with startups.
Moderated by the co-founder of ICTSlab Mr. Kushtrim Shala and Program Coordinator Ms. Arjola Pazaj, this meeting was endorsed by Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate Ms. Delina Ibrahimaj, Head of EBRD Albania Ms. Ekaterina Solovova and Manager Small Business Advice at EBRD, Ms. Ardiola Hristic.
Ms. Hristic introduced the Star Venture within which this mentoring program is organized.
By joining Mentorship Acceleration Program, selected startups will address their specific needs through tailored mentoring and consultancy from mentors and professionals with different expertise backgrounds such as Eneid Lika, Reita Haçkaj, Genti Selenica, Igor Madzov, Mirela Kolli, Admir Berbiu, Mei Mahila, Kushtrim Shala, Henrik Lezi, Eli Zhabevska, Denajda Dosti, Marvi Hoxha, Sabina Lalaj, Luka Lamaj, Kushtrim Xhakli, Igli Gjelishti and Gerti Boshanjaku.
Dialogo AI, T-Blocks, Skaitech, 3DSkai, Fortes, Hermex, Marigo, Albbuy, Via Event Creative, RentX, Kungul, Pronar.al and Niv.al will be supported by the Mentorship Acceleration Program to achieve their full potential and to guide them towards a path of sustainable growth.
Customized Mentoring, networking opportunities, the opportunity to join the Star Venture program and mentors with broad experience from the region and Central Europe are some of the benefits of this program for startups.
The Mentorship Acceleration Program welcomed applications until September 30. More than 78 mentoring, training and consulting sessions with main mentors will take place and 52 other sessions with supporting mentors.
Program implementation began in October with a detailed assessment of the specific needs of each start-up followed by matchmaking between start-ups and mentors.
The phased implementation of the mentoring program will continue throughout the months of November 2023 – February 2024.
Each start-up with have 3 mentors who will take care of program implementation. One of them will be the main mentor and conduct at least 6 mentoring sessions while the other 2 are supporting mentors with whom startups will conduct at least 4 mentoring sessions.
This program represents a golden opportunity for start-ups in Albania, an initiative which aims to provide concrete tailored support for 12 teams from the start-up ecosystem in Albania.
