Submit your start-up idea for iStart support - Call now open!

The iMinds' iStart Business Incubation Program is specifically designed to help starting entrepreneurs set up their tech business. During a period of 6 up to maximum 18 months, iMinds provides financial means (max. 50k EUR as convertible loan) as well as coaching and training, depending on your specific needs (expert coaches, in-depth training on certain themes, entrepreneur-in-residence …).

Our program focuses on start-up projects with a certain technological inventiveness (though broadly interpreted) and with the potential and ambition to become a 'born global' company. Specifically for start-up ideas in the eHealth domain iStart welcomes proposals for its special 'BlueHealth Antwerp' track.

Eligible projects are not necessarily limited to subjects related to the iMinds research domains. But, in order to be eligible, some form of proof-of-concept or prototype of the core product/technology is a necessity. At the time of submission, your start-up does not need to be established yet. However, if you are selected, we expect you to establish a kind of legal entity.

iStart secured the 2nd place in the European 'Top University Business Accelerators' ranking by UBI Global, in 2015, and the 4th place in its global ranking, after a screening of more than 500 incubation programs from all over the world. Discover all about iStart

Important dates

If you meet the above criteria, you are welcome to submit your project proposal. 
Also mark the following dates: 

• 4 January 2016: Call opens
• 1 February 2016: Call deadline (23u59)
• 17 February 2016: Announcement of pre-selected projects
• 22-24 February 2016: Intake meetings with external experts - Save these dates!
• 25 February 2016: Announcement of selected projects
• End of February 2016: Start of the selected iStart projects

Interested?

• Submit your proposal for iStart
• Submit your proposal for BlueHealth Antwerp

Need more info?

• Download the complete iStart Manual, including all details on the program and evaluation criteria
• Get in touch with Sven De Cleyn (iMinds incubation programs)
• www.iminds.be