The document discusses a symposium focused on seven principles to help technology startups scale from 200k to 2 million, highlighting common reasons for startup failure including lack of knowledge and network support. It defines an accelerator as a for-profit incubator providing funding, mentoring, and training to selected startups in exchange for equity. The Rockstart accelerator is presented as a model with specific principles designed to foster startup success through community engagement and accountability.

1. 22th February, DIA symposium
Maastricht
“7 principles to accelerate technology
startups from 200k to 2 million”

2. LOVE

3. 80% of
startups
fail
3

4. Main reasons for failure
Lack of Lack of Lack of
knowledge & Network Support
experience
True
innovators
that
to
find
customers The
path
to
success
is
have
big
ideas
are
o9en
to
find
investors long,
chao>c
and
risky
young
people for
press
and
exposure
Lack
effec>ve
execu>on
for
ge4ng
connected
skills
to
the
right
people
4

5. What is an
Accelerator?

6. What is an accelerator
•a modern, for-profit startup incubator,
•an open application process (competitive - 3%
accepted)
•taking in classes of startups consisting of small teams
•supporting them with funding, mentoring, training an
events for a definite period (usually three months)
•in exchange for equity
6

7. What is
Rockstart
Accelerator?

8. Rockstart Accelerator - what is it
10 teams
99+ mentors
1 year in 100 days
Amsterdam
8

9. Investment per startup
Value per team
Financial Investment
€15.000
In kind investment through partners
€46.000
€15.000
€3.800
€4.600
€10.000
€2.500
Total €100.700
2
9

10. 2
10

11. Summary of Rockstart Accelerator model
Se
le
ct
io
n
tion
ec
Sel
11

12. “7 principles to
accelerate technology
startups from 200k to 2
million”
12

13. #1 Have the best curriculum
Focus on a specific stage
and know your startup
better than they know
themselves....
13

14. #2 Build a community of engaged mentors
They will make the
difference between
success and failure...
14

15. 99+ mentors that deliver support for free
15

16. How can you repay them...?
Provide inspiration
and great energy....
16

17. #3. Be open
Select only the best &
fully committed
startups,
from anywhere...
17

18. 400 applicants from 60+ countries....
Before After 1Y

19. If you had invested...

20. #4 Carefully design pressure and deadlines
Focus on a specific stage
and know your startup
better than they know
themselves....
20

21. Two Phase approach
Spring
Program
Summer
Program
21

22. #5 Cheap = cool
Create a culture of doing
the most with the very
least...
22

23. BUDGET
we are a startup...
EUR 750k
23

24. #6 Become a hub in your community
Sponsor meetups with
location and involve local
thought leaders...
24

25. #7 CEO of incubator has to be accountable
The CEO should have an
upside.....
.....and there should be
private stakeholders...
25

26. Thanks for your
attention!
@donritzen
don@rockstart.com
slideshare.com/
donritzen