Learn how to grow and scale
a successful tech business to hit your stride

StartUp
Academy 4.0

Registration for this batch is closed, but feel free to apply
for the Startup Academy 5.0 and be the first to know the updates.

The program is

  • Free
  • Online
  • 3 months long

For

  • Pre-seed – Seed stage
  • Software startups, both B2C and B2B, in different domains like FinTech, EdTech, Mobility, etc.

During StartUp Academy, founders can

  • Commit to only what their business needs
  • Navigate their startup with a trusted mentor
  • Involve the first people on their team in program activities
  • Pitch and connect with investors
  • Choose advisors for specific challenges
  • Receive 24/7 access to the content library

Program

Market
& strategy

  • Global GTM strategy
  • Market research toolset
  • Pivot strategies
  • Key startup survival metrics
  • Seed stage founder’s focuses

Financial benchmarks

  • Unit economy frameworks
  • Due diligence & company valuation
  • Fundraising round formation

Marketing tools & sales hacks

  • Paid user acquisition
  • Virality, influencers, integrations
  • Startup CMO operations & budgeting
  • B2B sales management
  • Corporate negotiations

People & numbers management

  • Revenue formula driven operations
  • Co-founder engagement in a target market
  • Hiring model to find the right first people in your team

Data-driven product

  • Engagement hacks for retention growth
  • Custdev in seed+ stages
  • Growth model frameworks
  • Product analytics with the relevant metrics

Tech lifecycle

  • Generative AI business opportunities
  • CTO operations in seed+ stages
  • Non-tech founder ways to build a solution
  • Development resource optimization

Pitch hard knocks

  • Pitch every two weeks and receive feedback on your deck from different stakeholders
  • Join Pitch Day as a final step of the program and meet investors from all over the world

Market
& strategy

  • Global GTM strategy
  • Market research toolset
  • Pivot strategies
  • Key startup survival metrics
  • Seed stages founder’s focuses

Financial benchmarks

  • Unit economy frameworks
  • Due diligence & company valuation
  • Fundraising round formation

Marketing tools & sales hacks

  • Paid user acquisition
  • Virality, influencers, integrations
  • Startup CMO operations & budgeting
  • B2B sales management
  • Corporate negotiations

People & numbers management

  • Revenue formula driven operations
  • Сo-founder engagement in a target market
  • Hiring model to find the right first people in your team

Data-driven product

  • Engagement hacks for retention growth
  • Custdev in seed+ stages
  • Growth model frameworks
  • Product analytics with the relevant metrics

Tech lifecycle

  • Generative AI business opportunities
  • CTO operations in seed+ stages
  • Non-tech founder ways to build a solution
  • Development resource optimization

Pitch hard knocks

  • Pitch every two weeks and receive feedback on your deck from different stakeholders
  • Join Pitch Day as a final step of the program and meet investors from all over the world

Mentor checkpoints

Advisory sessions

Deep-dive workshops

Case studies

Panel discussions

Knowledge library

Pitch practices

Mentor checkpoints

Advisory sessions

Deep-dive workshops

Case studies

Panel discussions

Knowledge library

Pitch practices

Our experts

Timeline

Mar 4th – Apr 28th
Application process
Apr 22nd - Apr 30th
Online testing
May 2nd - May 9th
Pitch deck review
May 11th - May 23rd
Personal interview
June 3rd
Program start day

Pitch day

Hybrid event. Warsaw, Poland & Livestream

Pitch Day is the program finale. We prepare startups over a period of three months and select those ready to meet investors for Pitch Day.

However, we cannot guarantee funding – it's all up to you!

Friendly Deals

Get perks from 20+ companies in the TRMNL4 network. Check out the special offers from our valued partners

investment partners

What we’ve achieved

5800

applications from over 60 countries

135

startups participated in the program

45

VC funds attended StartUp Academy 3.0 Pitch Day

$7M

invested in our founders during and after the program

14

companies are providing friendly deals for T4.Community

Alumni stargazing

Emil Chichioi

Founder and CEO at Bloomcoding, Participant of StartUp Academy 2.0

"An insane amount of value add through the meetings that I had with the C-levels suite of Genesis portfolio companies. This contributed by generating exposure for us in front of VCs. Winning [StartUp Academy Pitch Day] was another proof point which helped us speed the conversation and win the trust of uventures and raised $1 million totally in this round."

Moldovan EdTech Bloomcoding raises €1M from three European VC funds

Moldovan EdTech Bloomcoding raises €1M from three European VC funds

Emil Chichioi

Founder & CEO at Bloomcoding
Participant of StartUp Academy 2.0

"An insane amount of value add through the meetings that I had with the C-levels suite of Genesis portfolio companies. This contributed by generating exposure for us in front of VCs. Winning [StartUp Academy Pitch Day] was another proof point which helped us speed the conversation and win the trust of uventures and raised $1 million totally in this round."

Irina Zamfir

Chief Revenue Officer at easySales, Participant of StartUp Academy 2.0

"Startup Academy provided me the structure. It's like putting gold information in one big picture and then start applying it."

Easy Sales (Romania)
close the round of €1.1M.

memoryOS became the most-funded app in Kickstarter history, and raised $600K.

Alex Ruzh

CEO at memoryOS
Participant of StartUp Academy 3.0

"Throughout StartUp Academy 2023, we've gained valuable practical insights that have helped elevate our startup game across all business areas: management, hiring, analytics, product development, unit economics, performance marketing, negotiations, fundraising, and more. We're happy to keep in touch with experts and all members of the TRMNL4 network."

Alex Ruzh

CEO at memoryOS, Participant of StartUp Academy 3.0

"Throughout StartUp Academy 2023, we've gained valuable practical insights that have helped elevate our startup game across all business areas: management, hiring, analytics, product development, unit economics, performance marketing, negotiations, fundraising, and more. We're happy to keep in touch with experts and all members of the TRMNL4 network."

memoryOS became the most-funded app in Kickstarter history, and raised $600K.

Easy Sales (Romania)close the round of €1.1M.

Irina Zamfir

Chief Revenue Officer at easySales
Participant of StartUp Academy 2.0

"Startup Academy provided me the structure. It's like putting gold information in one big picture and then start applying it."

Veronica Covali

Co-Founder, CMO at Stilio, Participant of StartUp Academy 3.0

"TRMNL4 connects an amazing founders. Maria booked a mentorship slot and this is how i learned about Maramio and got really enthusiastic about the team and product! Happy to explore opportunities as a founder and investor."

StartUp Academy alumni invest in each other: Veronica Covali announces investment in Maramio.

StartUp Academy alumni invest in each other: Veronica Covali announces investment in Maramio.

Veronica Covali

Co-Founder, CMO at Stilio
Participant of StartUp Academy 3.0

"TRMNL4 connects an amazing founders. Maria booked a mentorship slot and this is how i learned about Maramio and got really enthusiastic about the team and product! Happy to explore opportunities as a founder and investor."

Levan Kiladze

Co-Founder of QuickShipper, Participant of StartUp Academy 2.0

"QuickShipper’s journey began at Startup Academy in 2022, offering us essential resources, valuable connections, and unique startup perks. This experience was instrumental in accelerating our growth. We highly recommend Startup Academy to new startups looking for a strong launchpad."

New Nordic Ventures invested in QuickShipper, Georgia-based startup.

New Nordic Ventures invested in QuickShipper, Georgia-based startup.

Levan Kiladze

Co-Founder of QuickShipper, Participant of StartUp Academy 2.0

"QuickShipper’s journey began at Startup Academy in 2022, offering us essential resources, valuable connections, and unique startup perks. This experience was instrumental in accelerating our growth. We highly recommend Startup Academy to new startups looking for a strong launchpad."

DISCOVER MORE FROM TRMNL4.

a connector [for] startups, investors, and global tech players.

Trmnl4.Community

unites one-of-a-kind founders from the CEE region.

Trmnl4.Programs

teach startups how to grow and scale successful tech businesses.

FAQ

1. Who are the organizers?

  • Genesis, together with Meta, launches StartUp Academy — a free international program for founders of startups on how to build, operate, and scale profitable tech businesses. 
The program is a part of TRMNL4 powered by Genesis.
  • Learn more on the Organizers page.

2. How to join the StartUp Academy?

  • Fill out the application form. After submitting, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk folder. The selection stages include an online test, a pitch deck review, and an interview. We inform applicants about the results of each preliminary stage by email and our social media.

3. How is the learning process organized?

  • Meet with an assigned mentor, who guides you for 3 months, determine your goals, develop a startup development plan, and track success.
  • Select and join deep-dive online workshops, case studies, and panel discussions for practical content your startup needs.
  • Explore the Advisors’ network and receive one-on-one support for specific requests.
  • Discover the Knowledge library to power up your expertise and prepare for a meeting with experts.
  • Practice your pitch every 2 weeks and prepare for our final Pitch Day, participation in which is determined by the startup's level of preparation and its progress in the initial program.
    *For convenient communication, we use Slack. All online events take place in Zoom, and interaction with experts and the content library is organized on our T4.Platform.

4. What will be the working language?

  • English is our working language.

5. As a founder, can I involve my startup team in the program?

  • Sure! For complex growth, your C-level can attend deep-dive workshops, access specialized case studies, meet with advisors, and get help on their field from mentor and other experts, so the entire team can learn and move faster.

6. How many startups are going to take part in the program?

  • The idea of TRMNL4 and StartUp Academy itself is to provide the most efficient learning experience, enable a personalized connection between founders, and help them to connect with experts and investors. That is why we have to form a cohort with a limited number of 50 participants.

7. What are the entry requirements?

  • The program is designed mainly for tech-driven software startups from Pre-Seed to Seed stages, both B2C and B2B in different domains like FinTech, EdTech, SaaS, Mobility, AdTech, etc.

8. Is participation free?

StartUp Academy is free. Genesis, Meta, and partners support startups without exchanging equity or fees.
Although we inspire founders giving back to the community maintaining the following points:

  • To actively engage with assigned mentors and advisors, seeking guidance and feedback to enhance the business’s growth and development. To participate in program-related events, workshops, and meetings.
  • To maintain transparent communication regarding any challenges, progress, or changes in business direction.
  • To leverage the resources and opportunities to maximize the potential for growth and success.
  • To actively contribute to the TRMNL4.Community by sharing knowledge, experiences, and insights with fellow members and stakeholders.
  • If your startup raises investment or performs a significant progress with the assistance of the TRMNL4 team, you agree to acknowledge TRMNL4 and StartUp Academy in any media or press releases for at least one year.

9. Can I raise investment for my startup at Pitch Day?

  • At the end of the program, the participants who pass the selection will have the opportunity to pitch their startups to TRMNL4’s investment network. However, we cannot guarantee that your startup will receive funding.

10. What do I need to do to become a part of TRMNL4?

  • Participants of Startup Academy will become a part of our network and join more than 100 founders from CEE for ongoing activities. But even if you don’t make it into the program, feel free to apply to T4.Community for more opportunities. Check it out here.

11. I want to partner up with you. Who do I need to contact?

  • If you want to join as a partner and share your service or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].
  • If you’re an investor, check out more info on the TRMNL4 website and fill out the form to join the network.
  • For media and other friends, we recommend visiting the Contact page for more details.
  • If you wish to share your expertise with our founders, please contact [email protected]. Describe your background and how you would like to cooperate. Please note that we are community-oriented and not-for-profit, so we do not involve external expertise commercially.