What BL.INC can do for your start-up

In the corridors on campus, the new start-up program BL.INC is much discussed. Yet not everyone knows exactly what to expect. Time for an interview with Elle Janssen of Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo: - project leader startup program BL.INC, who explains what it's all about with 5 simple questions.

Who?

Elle Janssen: "BL.INC is for entrepreneurs who want to innovate in the field of healthy and safe food, agriculture or horticulture (future farming) or biocircular economy. For those of them who want to start or grow their start-up or spin-off at an accelerated pace. This does not mean that only entrepreneurs from the agrifood sector can participate, because we also often meet people in manufacturing and logistics who are working on these themes. In addition, they must recognize themselves in our mission: sharing knowledge and wanting to work together to achieve innovation."

What

"Participants go through a fixed program of planned activities and meetings in 3 months. This allows them to further shape or hone their business plan to achieve an accelerated start or accelerated growth. At the campus, participants have direct access to the network of experts of many knowledge partners, to facilities for research and development, and they receive advice on financing and are coached by experienced professionals - their mentors. All this makes the Venlo campus an inspiring meeting and working place."

Would you like to share your knowledge and experience with these start-up entrepreneurs? Sign up to be a mentor.

Why?

"As an entrepreneur, there is a lot that comes upon you. Many things have to be arranged, such as drawing up a business plan, market validation or applying for funding, for example. Access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs and experts is essential. At Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, participants find themselves right in the middle of the ecosystem of knowledge institutions, businesses and scientists; potential partners or customers. There is no comparable initiative in the region for the agrifood entrepreneur with an innovative business idea. However, the concept of acceleration programs has existed for longer and is widely supported at the national level.

In North Limburg there was no structured program available for startups and spin-offs yet. This meant that starting entrepreneurs themselves had to rely on various parties to get their startup or spin-off off the ground. This is not efficient for the entrepreneurs, but also not for the parties that are eager to support them. This shortcoming has led LIOF, Rabobank, the North Limburg region and Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo to develop a joint program of planned meetings around key themes. In this way, we can jointly increase the success rate of innovative entrepreneurs and thus stimulate sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation in the region."

When?

"The first round of the startup accelerator BL.INC will start on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 and has a fixed program for 3 months. Two more rounds will follow in 2020.

In fact, the first meeting coincides with a festive launch of the program. It is public and everyone is invited to witness and meet the entrepreneurs. Sign up or come by the campus on March 3!"

How to

"Entrepreneurs register via the website where they give a short pitch of their idea. Project leader Elle Janssen will then invite you for a meeting on campus or a telephone appointment. After a personal conversation with her, you decide whether or not to participate and send in your elevator pitch and pitch deck. The BL.INC committee will look at your application and let you know if you are selected. The program will festively kick off on March 3 at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo."

Source: Brightlands