Caucasus University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center launched the startup pre-acceleration program "CUnicorn", which aims to promote the development of tech startups at the university and presented its first batch of participants.

In the Spring of 2023, 6 startup teams were selected based on preliminary applications from Caucasus University’s School of Media, Business, Technology and administration. They presented diverse technological ideas informed the university President, Vice President for Internationalization, representatives of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, and future mentors about their expectations regarding the program.

Participation in the program is free of charge. It is open to teams of Caucasus University students, graduates, and administrative, and academic staff (at least one team member) with early-stage startups/ideas that create or are based on tech and have Minimum Viable Product MVP or an established action plan for its implementation. Preference was given to innovative startups demonstrating the potential to enter the global market.

The pre-acceleration program "CUnicorn" will be administered in a hybrid format (online and physical meetings), will cover 11 working weeks (April 2023 - July 2023), and consist of 5 main components: thematic working sessions; individual meetings with mentors; networking – P2P meetings, experience-sharing, guest speakers, and weekly stand-ups; use of common working space of Caucasus University; demo day – participating startups will pitch in front of a jury, where they will have the opportunity to win financial prizes/and other resources for growth and development.

The startups participating in the program will deepen their knowledge in several areas: product development and validation, team creation, development, and management, user segmentation, value proposition, marketing, branding, advertising, and sales, growth marketing, MVP, technical product creation, business model and financial model, pitch deck and fundraising.

After completing the pre-acceleration program, the startups will have ready: business plan/business model, financial plan, communication strategy, product prototype or technical plan for its implementation, pitch deck, and investment proposal to seek funding.