Organized by  Caucasus University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, within the framework of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program, startup pre-acceleration program CUnicorn+ has officially launched. A total of 11 technology startups selected from across the country are participating in the program, which will guide them through a 10-week stage of intensive learning and practical experience.

The sessions of the program’s first two weeks were led by Bob Smith, Executive Director of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at George Washington University. Over the course of four days, the participating teams had the opportunity to engage in interactive lectures and workshops covering key issues relevant to the modern startup ecosystem.

During the first day’s session, Bob Smith spoke about the five essential factors in building a successful startup and strategies for effectively attracting investment. The teams also presented their pitches and received detailed feedback for improvement.

The following sessions covered topics such as:

• Business Model: Startups learned how to define the core components of their business, value proposition, and revenue structure.
  
• Go-to-Market Strategy: Various approaches to reaching customers, selecting the right target segments, and effectively positioning in the market were discussed.
  
• Pitching: Participants acquired practical skills on how to present their initial ideas to investors and potential partners.
  
  

Throughout the intensive sessions, startups were able to openly share their challenges and receive individual guidance from Bob Smith, who, with his years of international experience, helps early-stage entrepreneurs advance their businesses and create innovative solutions.

Pre-acceleration program CUnicorn+  aims to foster innovative ideas, accelerate startup growth, and strengthen collaboration with international partners. The program creates a practical environment where young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to develop their vision, gain knowledge from international experts, and prepare for investor presentations.

“This project was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State”