ABOUT THE
BLUE LAKE ACCELERATOR
Blue Lake Accelerator is the UK based startup Accelerator focused on exploring the emerging markets opportunities with a particular focus on Eastern Europe and Ukraine in particular. We are a product-focused, go-to-market accelerator supporting early-stage startups with global ambitions.
Why Ukraine?
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The Ukrainian start-up scene abounds with technological innovation and excellence. For historic reasons however these startups rarely have the support required or enjoyed by the peers in the more developed economies. We see this as a rather unique situation where utilising the UK experience Blue Lake Accelerator can invest and support early-stage Ukrainian startups, helping and build companies with world-class products and services.
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Ok so this all sounds great, but how does it work? Simple.
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We select up to 7 early-stage, preseed level startups to apply to take part in the 12-week accelerator programme. These will then receive an investment of between £10K - £35K, a place in Blue Lake London, and most importantly, access to mentors and our network.
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During the acceleration period, startups receive knowledge, contacts and individual support helping to take their products or services to the international markets, find the first clients and build a sustainable business model. We are particularly focused on the client traction development, and joining Blue Lake you have to be prepared to spend a lot of time in front of your future (hopefully) clients!
Once the three months programme completed the graduation will take place in London where startups will have the opportunity to pitch to the Series A investors.
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Blue Lake Accelerator is fundraising if you would like to find out more please see the investor section of the site.
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How to join
We consider startups from all segments as long as you can answer yes to all of the following questions.
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Is your startup internationally oriented?
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Is there an opportunity for explosive growth?
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Do you have an MVP?
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Are ready to fully commit?
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Can you move to London for the 12 weeks that the programme takes (don't worry we will help with logistics, visas etc)
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If you can answer yes to all of these questions we would love to hear from you!
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If you do not feel that you are quite ready for the acceleration just yet or have some specific issues that need to be addressed right now, check out the Blue Lake startup services section.
Funding
Blue Lake Accelerator will make individual investment proposals to the startups invited to join the programme.
Funds will be offered in tranches with mutually agreed milestones that will be set before the start.
Typical funds usage may include: R&D, Legal, Recruitment, Marketing, Sales and other activities that are directly related to the startup development.
Not included: Founders salaries, equipment (laptops, mobiles etc).
The funds can be used for living expenses during the acceleration period in London, conditions apply.
The exact details will be agreed on an individual basis to ensure the most efficient fund's usage.
Blue Lake Demo Day, December 2019
Blue Lake Accelerator's first demo day was special bringing together Blue Lake's own and guest startups, early-stage investors, corporates looking for the next big thing and high profile keynote speakers
OUR PARTNERS
We are very grateful to all of the partners supporting the Blue Lake Accelerator.
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv is one of the leading Ukrainian universities and a leading contemporary academic and educational hub of Ukraine.
VimesVC is a London based venture capital and investment advisory firm with the focus on early stage startups and emerging markets.
COSA is a professional corporate intelligence firm providing intelligence solutions for international businesses that care about security, compliance, integrity and business continuity.
"Opportunities don't happen. You create them."
The Ukrainian Embassy to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
A niche UK consultancy helping startups, SME's and larger organisations win market share through bespoke strategy design and comprehensive digital solutions.
MiniBarLabs runs London’s oldest and biggest tech start up community with over 9000 members and provides start up education and corporate innovation services for clients and partners ranging from PayPal, Microsoft Ventures, BBC to Publicis and P&G.
A leading consulting firm, operating in Ukraine since 1998. It was created as a one-stop consulting center, specifically designed to hold the hand of new comers to the market, assist in the development and solving everyday challenges met by Ukrainian companies and international investors.
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F6S covers over 90% of the global early-stage tech startup ecosystem. We make deal-flow acquisition easy for you by leveraging our 3M+ network of global startups, VCs, accelerators, etc. and ensure you manage your leads in record time through our deal-flow CRM
L Marks is a leading advisor in innovation and experienced investor in early-stage technologies.They have created the UK’s largest network of corporate accelerators and launched over fifty innovation programs globally. Their unique approach and methodology is building bridges between large organisations seeking to innovate and young companies looking to scale.
Tech London Advocates is a network of more than 7,500 tech leaders, entrepreneurs and experts in London, across the UK and in over 50 countries worldwide.
Proudly independent, private sector-led and not backed by government, Tech London Advocates fundamentally believes that London is one of the world’s leading tech hubs.
Tech London Advocates is part of Global Tech Advocates.
iHUB - hub for startups and technology companies.
iHUB is a modern affordable work space in restored historical buildings, insightful events on trending topics and vibrant entrepreneurial community.
Vestbee is the leading regional deal flow platform that connects global VC funds, corporates, accelerators and business angels with startups and scaleups from Central & Eastern Europe + DACH. We make the fundraising process easy and effortless for startups, and for investors and corporates provide a high-quality, relevant dealflow that improves their scouting.
Finance PM is a team on-demand with over 15 years of professional experience in the corporate, venture, and startup industry. Finance PM provides startups and businesses with the benefits of a CFO or CBDO at a fraction of the cost of hiring one full time.
MUSTARD PR is an established and motivated team of international PR communications consultants based out of Pinewood Studios, London, England.
Startup or global powerhouse, B2C or B2B audience – MUSTARD PR delivers campaigns that stand out from the noise and deliver on objectives.
We are open to partnership opportunities. Please contact us for more information.