A 4-month long programme, delivered online, the Incubation is the core training of Orange Grove. This is a structured programme of 10 weeks intensive training on startup methodologies and business development skills, followed by +6 weeks of tailored deep-dive workshops. The trainings are complemented by mentorship and 1-1s with a global network of experts, meetups and networking activities with the Orange Grove ecosystem.
The Incubation is a sector-agnostic, horizontal programme, meaning we accept applications from all sectors by individuals or teams working on idea- or early-stage ventures that have innovation at their core. We organize an incubation round once a year. Applications usually open in early summer and the programme launches in early November.
The programme doesn’t really end after the 4 months go by, only the workshops do. For many participants, this is only the beginning. As members of the Orange Grove community, the entrepreneurs continue to enjoy a helping hand from the team and peer support from our extended alumni community.
Orange Grove has designed a two-tier training programme delivered by leading experts from all industries through online workshops on our platform. Participants are initiated to innovative entrepreneurship, first, through an intensive 10-week curriculum of instructional workshops and curated digital materials on startup creation and development fundamentals. During this time, they delve into understanding their market/industry, validate their idea, find the financial model to secure the viability of their business, design the organization they have envisioned, and understand the processes they need to put in place so that they build a go-to-market strategy and business model that can lead them to growth and success.
In the second part of our incubation process, a flexible 6-week curriculum is tailored to the needs, maturity and sectors of the participants, and focuses on specialised elements of entrepreneurship, such as pitch training, fundraising, communication and marketing, IP protection, impact and so on.
Each venture entering Orange Grove’s programme is assigned a mentor who will guide the founders throughout the course. The assigned mentors offer their mentees guidance; share with them their experiences and insights; support them in creating their action plan; in iterating; setting milestones; they ask the tough questions; and assist their networking efforts. The Orange Grove team will, also, connect founders with additional mentors and experts of the extended OG network to hold ad-hoc one-on-ones and receive guidance in particular areas of expertise or on challenges they may need to overcome.
Participants essentially gain access to a powerful network of over 170 mentors and consultants, spanning across 19 time zones and 5 continents. These are international, Greek Diaspora and local professionals who are visionary startup founders, successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives or members of acclaimed organizations and institutions, all experts in their fields.
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Networking lays at the heart of Orange Grove. As members of Orange Grove, participants become part of the OG startups ecosystem where they interact with fellow founders and build lasting relationships based on peer-to-peer learning and synergies creation. Valuable connections made, through Orange Grove or the Netherlands Embassy, will help build and expand their network, at their very first steps when it is most needed. Whilst important opportunities for exposure may arise as the programme’s alumni are frequently showcased on media; invited to present their ideas and stories on a number of events; participate in panel discussions; showcase their ventures to visiting business delegations; connect with corporates; or secure booths at local and international trade shows.
Alexandra Kollia
Founder of Music Speaks
Precious Obediah
Co-Founder of Afrosocially
Alexis Kotsalos
Founder of Naftilus Insurtech
Marios Xenakis
Founder of Leaf Board
Natalia Ralli
Founder of Bumpera