IN-HABIT Lucca 2024

Lucca, Pisa, and Surroundings: Where Animals and Humans Thrive Together.

Is facilitating the bond between animals and humans at the heart of your business? We seek to support 15 entrepreneurs with mentorship, educational tools and connections to transform Lucca, Pisa and surroundings into areas where every resident, two-legged or four-legged, can flourish.

If you believe in the transformative power of fostering better relationships with other living beings and improving the wellbeing of local communities, this program is for you.

As part of the EU Horizon 2020 project, this is our second year supporting initiatives that seek to boost the creation of public spaces and activities that enhance the wellbeing of all living communities: both human and animal.

We are eager to support a wide range of initiatives. These include businesses in the following sectors: Human-animal smart cities, Animal lines, Recreational spaces, Cultural activities and pet-friendly tourism, Human-animal tourism, Wellness, Health, Nature conservation, Behavioral medicine, Animal welfare, Sustainable cities.

Whether you’re an animal or sustainability advocate eager to start a business in this area… We have a space for you in our community!

Respecting and enjoying the company of other living beings can create a lasting impact on our city's harmony, wellbeing, and sustainability. That’s why we’re launching a second cohort to keep supporting entrepreneurs that make this a reality!

Last year, 13 Entrepreneurs with 13 different business ideas completed our entrepreneurship program. They received mentorship from our team and expert mentors, attended incredible community events and had the opportunity to expand their connections.

of the mentors would like to repeat this experience

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of entrepreneurs would like to keep in touch with their mentors after the program

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of participants will continue their journey as entrepreneurs after the program

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Meet some of the ventures we’ve supported already:

We believe you can succeed.

We know your idea has the power to shift the way we engage and enjoy biodiversity and have a meaningful impact on local communities.

We’re looking to support 15 business ideas in Lucca, Pisa and surrounding areas to bring this vision to life and yours can be one of them. Are you ready to dedicate 4 months to improve and set the foundations to grow your business with the latest entrepreneurship tools and mentorship support? Here’s what we have to offer:

Build friendships and a professional network with entrepreneurs in Lucca, Riga and Nitra to expand your business opportunities and community support.

Receive personalized mentorship that will help you guide your business decisions with leading experts.

After completion, you could be selected to travel to the IN-HABIT Consortium to present your business and the impact you make.

Connect to a network of organizations focused on business development, investment funds and many more opportunities!

Take it from those who've been there. This is what the entrepreneurs and mentors from the first cohort have to say about our program:

“Many things have already changed for me: mainly my self-esteem and consequently my way of communicating my work. New contacts have already entered and new possibilities have already opened up, thanks to my new vision! THANK YOU.”

“B4B is a high-value training course that all entrepreneurs of tomorrow should follow to develop greater awareness of doing business in a conscious manner. Being a mentor is a great opportunity for personal and professional growth, because in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs you end up getting back more than you donated. Sharing is caring!”

“The program was very complete and useful, designed above all for those who are at their first experience and have an idea in embryonic form. Networking has made it possible to get to know other realities in the area and the possibility of creating partnerships.”

“The program was fun and challenging. The approach with the In HABIT platform, challenging and full of surprises. This is an excellent experience for mentors who need to consolidate their skills thanks to the support of the B4B platform and team”

What makes us so successful?

Step-by-step learning and development

Our program is designed to guide you through each stage of your business journey. You will learn by doing practical exercises that can be applied to your business from the first day.

FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING

Work from anywhere and at anytime using our online platform. All you need is an internet connection. Focus on your entrepreneurial journey without compromising your other responsibilities!

A MENTOR JUST FOR YOU!

We'll pair you with a mentor who will guide you personally, through weekly video calls. They'll provide an external perspective to help you with your business and its potential.

EXPERT SESSIONS

Join our industry-led webinars with experienced professionals. Get actionable advice and wonderful tips to grow your business from the best experts!

BE PART OF A COMMUNITY

Join a friendly community of entrepreneurs and business mentors. Share resources, make business alliances, and work through challenges together.

BUILD YOUR BUsiness PLan

After finishing all the modules on our platform, the system will automatically create your executive summary. Just download it and share with banks, investors or other stakeholders. A necessary tool to take your business to the next level!

FINAL EVENT

By the end of the program, we'll host a closing event where top finalists will get to present their business ideas to relevant stakeholders locally. All participants will be able to share their projects and network with the program partners.

What can I expect to gain from the program?

As an entrepreneur

As a mentor

Proven methodology

You will learn by doing with an approach inspired by MIT's Disciplined Entrepreneurship. More than 2900 entrepreneurs from 120+ countries have already gone through our methodology!

Mentorship guidance

You will work closely with a mentor who will guide you throughout the length of the program. Have weekly video sessions where you will review their work, get feedback, and resolve any questions.

Global Network

You will connect with the rest of the program participants, a community of peer entrepreneurs working in your city towards the same goals as you. Connect with them throughout the different program sessions to share resources and tackle challenges together.

Your own executive summary

Founders will work on their business step by step while generating a validated business plan and executive summary. You will be able to download a PDF version to later present it in front of investors, other co-founders, etc.

Anytime, Anywhere

Collaborate from anywhere at any time through our online platform; no barriers, limits, or excuses; just an internet connection!

Exclusive perks

Access to expert masterclasses + more than 30K in discounts on HubSpot, Amazon WS, Google Suite, MailJet, IBM…

Pitch your business

At the end of the program, you will join our pitch competition during the final Demo Day with relevant stakeholders from the ecosystem.

Requirements for entrepreneurs

Have idea/project/start-up under development/ recently launched/ early stage
Implementation Lucca & Pisa and surroundings
Motivation to have social impact on communities
Project in line with IN-HABIT project theme/themes
Devote approximately 8 hours per week for 4 months (individual work on platform, mentoring sessions, extra meetings)
Access to a computer or tablet and a reliable and stable internet connection (basic digital knowledge)
Possibility to collaborate with partner during the 4 months (one-to-one application – one contact person for the project)
Speak Italian correctly

Requirements for mentors

Voluntary commitment of approximately 1h/30 per week for 4 months (mentoring sessions and entrepreneur work review) + extra meetings
Minimum 3–5 years professional experience in business mentoring, start-up, project management, tutoring
No presence required in Lucca, Pisa, and surroundings
Motivation to have social impact on communities
Access to a computer or tablet and a reliable and stable internet connection (basic digital knowledge)
Ability to follow several entrepreneurial projects (more commitment required)
Interest in IN-HABIT project topics/themes and knowledge of local context (not compulsory)
Speak Italian correctly

What will I learn during this program?

Learn how to manage finances, develop a marketing strategy and create a solid business plan.

Value proposition

Define how your product or service is different and valuable to your customers.

Competition Map

Make your product or service stand out from your competition when selling to the same customers.

Stakeholder map

Confidently identify the individuals or groups that have a strong interest or involvement in your project.

Business model & marketing

Promote your products effectively and sell more at the right price.

Pricing & Business Availability

Ensure that your business stays profitable over time.

Financial Projections

Plan the financial stability and money management for the next 3 years of your business.

Impact Plan

Design how your business will contribute to your sector and region and set how you'll measure it.

Growth Plan

Set growth goals and priorities and monitor your advancements in achieving these as time passes.

Apply before the date!

Days

Hours

Minutes

November 24th, 2023

Want to know more about the incubation program?

Sign up for one of our info sessions on zoom on the following dates:

Timeline

Apply to the program

Until November 24th, 2023

Tell us more about you and your business idea (for entrepreneurs) or your professional experience (for mentors) by applying below. Our team will assess all applications and select the profiles of entrepreneurs and mentors that have the best fit with the program.

Apply now >

Announcement of selected candidates

By December 1st, 2023

We will review all the applications and we will select the entrepreneurs and mentors to participate in the IN-HABIT Lucca Incubation Program.

Attend to the onboarding session

Beginning of December

If selected, we will invite you to participate in an informative session to welcome you to the incubation program. In this session, we will cover the role of program participants, what the relationship between mentors and projects will be like, the use of the Bridge for Billions incubation platform, and much more!

Mentors and Entrepreneurs Matching

From December 4th to 22nd, 2023

Take part in our matching process! Entrepreneurs and mentors will have the possibility to meet in different virtual sessions of their choice. Once you have been able to meet different profiles, both will send their preferences to let us know who they want to work with and make the best teams.

Online Incubation Program

From January to May

Start the online incubation experience with mentoring sessions, work tools, and structured development.

Entrepreneurs and mentors will have 4 months to complete the incubation cycle and develop their validated business plan.
Entrepreneurs will cover the most important parts of their business (from refining the value proposition to generating a clear growth plan).
Mentors will meet weekly with their entrepreneurs in one-on-one sessions to go through the 8 business modules.
Ventures will finish the program by developing a business plan and executive summary ready to present to investors, for example.
After completing the program, finalist ventures will be invited to an in-person pitch session so they can present their projects on our final Demo Day (more details will be shared throughout the program).

Demo Day

Beginning of June

Learn how you can be part of our program to support entrepreneurs in Lucca and join our online info session. Leave us your details and our Program manager will contact you.

What is IN-HABIT?

IN-HABIT is an EU Horizon 2020 project that aims to foster inclusive health and well-being (IHW) in four peripheral small and medium-sized cities (SMSCs): Córdoba (Spain), Riga (Latvia), Lucca (Italy), and Nitra (Slovakia).

In each city, the project will mobilize existing undervalued resources (culture, food, human-animal bonds, and environment) to increase IHW, with a focus on gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The integrated approach will combine technological, digital, nature-based, cultural, and social innovations in selected urban public spaces. These solutions will be co-designed, co-deployed, and co-managed with and by local stakeholders.

Project Coordinator

Partners

The best methodology

Our 4-month entrepreneurship program is divided into 8 business modules which allow entrepreneurs to go step-by-step from business idea to market in a short period of time, at the same time allow mentors to follow up on any advancement they make.

Far from theory, our pedagogy pushes participants to formulate their ideas and answer the tough questions. It invites them to “get out there”, talk to people, research, and validate their ideas. Mentor will be there for the participants every week, supporting, challenging assumptions, and offering a fresh perspective.

At the end of the program, you will not only have a business plan to present to potential investors or new co-founders and team, but you will have total peace of mind that you are building a business validated by your potential clients.

Questions about the programme?

For entrepreneurs

How long it takes to participate in the program?

The more time you are able to dedicate, the better the results. We have structured the program so that you can complete all the activities in 6-8 hours a week, including a one-hour video call with your mentor and participation in the different sessions, this is your program.

Also, remember that you will have to commit to dedicating at least 6 hours a week for the duration of the program (4 months) and that there will also be online sessions where you will meet with the other program participants to share challenges and learning.

How much does it cost to participate in the program?

Any! This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 869227.

What do I need for the program?

We recommend you have a laptop or desktop computer and preferably one of these browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. Even so, our platform also adapts to cell phones.

Also, we hope that you have a stable and reliable internet connection both for your weekly review on the platform and to participate in calls with your mentor by video call.

What will be the role of my mentor?

Your mentor will act as your guide throughout the program. Week after week, it will help you validate your strategy and design your growth plan. Mentors support you within the platform and meet with you once a week (usually via video calls) to validate your progress.

Can my partner or teammate work with me on the project?

Of course! Our program is made to collaborate with your entire team. You can easily invite your teammates to join your project and seamlessly collaborate on its development.

You can work at the same time as a teammate, but please note, however, that our platform does not allow live collaboration like with Google Docs (you will only see a teammate’s edits after you refresh the page and you must have to be careful not to “override” the others’ entries.)

I am concerned about my intellectual property if I apply. Should I worry about this?

We hope our reputation speaks for itself on this topic! We treat your application and program data as confidential information. They are protected by our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and your mentor will also sign a Mentor Agreement that includes a confidentiality clause.

For mentors

How much time is needed to participate in the program?

During the duration of the program, you will have to meet once a week with your entrepreneur to hold mentoring meetings for 1 hour. On top of that, we recommend always spending at least an extra 30 minutes reviewing and validating progress on the platform, and coming to meetings prepared.

What technology do I need for the program?

You must be able to use a laptop or desktop computer (not a tablet or mobile phone) and preferably one of these browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. We hope that you have a powerful and reliable Internet connection both for your weekly review on the platform and to participate in calls with your entrepreneur via videoconference.

What would mentoring this program bring me?

As a mentor, you will have a positive impact on someone’s life. You will meet and connect with students with innovative ideas and develop your mentoring skills, exposing yourself to the latest innovation and entrepreneurship methodologies while helping a start-up company grow.

Can I mentor more than one project?

Yes. However, we ask that you be realistic with your time commitment. We don’t want anyone to overcommit or set expectations that they won’t be able to meet due to lack of time.

How will I find a good project to mentor?

To facilitate the process of matching between mentors and mentees, or as we call it “matching”, we have created the process of “organic matching”.

In this way, you will have the opportunity to meet the different participating projects, invite them to a «Virtual Coffee» to learn about the ideas in detail, and then both parties can decide if they want to work together or not. In this way, we ensure that we create solid and lasting mentoring relationships.

Will I receive any compensation?

No, all mentors in this program are volunteers.

What is my role as a mentor?

Your role as a mentor will be to guide your entrepreneurs throughout the process. Using the online tools as a guide, you will help your entrepreneurs validate their strategies throughout the program and support them throughout the meeting online once a week.

Will I receive a certificate of participation?

At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of participation.

Can’t find your question here?

Contact Bianca Breveglieri, Incubation Manager of the IN-HABIT Incubation Program, if you have any questions.

This program has been built by

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 869227

For more information, please visit our website