Kickoff for the Founders Academy 2025

Date 2025-03-27

Eleven weeks of coaching, expert feedback & pitching for early-stage startups from AT & IT

On March 4th, the Founders Academy 2025, an interregional initiative to support early-stage startups, was kicked off. Eleven teams from Austria and Italy will receive targeted coaching, practical tools, and expert feedback over the course of eleven weeks to prepare their business ideas for the market.

Developed by a consortium of eight dedicated partners, the program has a clear goal: to equip early-stage startups with the right resources, know-how, and networks to successfully implement their ideas. Through a combination of theory and practice, participants will be gradually prepared for the challenges of entering the market. The program provides a structured guide to turn ideas into marketable business models. Each module includes specific milestones, accompanied by intensive expert feedback and hands-on workshops.

The Founders Academy is aimed at founders who have a clear vision and wish to further develop their startup with scaling potential. Whether in the orientation, planning, or early founding phase, the program offers structured guidance to transform ideas into marketable business models. Each module includes specific milestones, accompanied by intensive expert feedback and hands-on workshops.

A special highlight awaits participants at the end of the program: the final Pitching Competition. Here, the best teams will have the chance to qualify for the exclusive Startup Summer School in Veneto – a perfect opportunity to further develop their business idea and make valuable international connections.

The MCI looks forward to accompanying participants on their journey and wishes all teams much success.

Questions about startups? Visit our website.

The Founders Academy is part of the Interreg MOZART project and is supported under EU funding.

Benjamin Suitner
Benjamin Suitner, BA MA Corporate Investment Management, Startups & Entrepreneurship
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