Scale it Agro

We believe that the best programs focus not just on content, but also on the strengths of networks and the sharing of first hand experiences. Furthermore, your challenges are not always as predictable. The personalised part of the program aims to take that into account, so that also your ad hoc concerns get the attention they need. Together in the trenches and putting the network to work. 

We aim to generate a value of well above >€25k per participating member. We cannot guarantee that, but our experience and track record tells us that this is a feasible goal. Yet we do not charge this amount. You are lucky to have partners like Start it X, Boerenbond, KBC Bank, Arvesta, CERA and Agri Investment Fund to cover this. We do take a €1800 fee as a token of commitment. Part of the value for every member is in the other members showing up and being actively involved. With a commitment fee, we ensure ourselves to filter out those that are only interested in a free ride.

We are largely a remote program, but with 3 physical touch points. We and our partners are based in Belgium and deeply immersed into the industry. For those that wish to expand into the Benelux market, we have office space in Brussels, Antwerp and other Belgian cities that you can use throughout the program.

No. We prefer English as this is the common language within our accelerator program. Meetings with your business coach or mentor can be in the language of your choice but overall program communication as well as academy sessions will be in English.

Innovative for us means that there is something that will give you a cutting edge. This something can be a design, business model, technology, or another business asset that is not used in Belgium for that specific market, audience, problem, or solution.
Examples:

- It can be an innovation in the context of product, technology, business model
- A development of products, services, (production) processes, new to your market;
- A new technology or methodology first applied in your market.
- A new business model as the first to be applied in your market.
It has to be new enough to have the potential to kill competition if played right, or at least conquer a chunk of the market. The startup may have to apply an iterative process of validation, building, and testing.

• We bring together a group of talented founders that have been able to generate revenue with their company and who want to run to their next milestones together over a stretch of 9 months. The goal is that you get to know each other and feel comfortable to share problems, advice and network.
• Every month there will be a Masterclass (like Commercial growth, Fund raising prep, setting up a Pilot in a new market, etc..), a cohort meeting and a 1-on-1 meeting with your Program Director. This way you will advance as a group, covering key topics while getting 1-on-1 advice and introductions to bring you closer to your next milestones.
• We will meet in person 3 times throughout the full period. 
  

The deadline for applications is March 5th 2025 at midnight. Starting from the 6th of March, a review team will start reading all the files and scoring them on 'our' criteria (completeness of file, innovation, scalability, "program fit", team,...). The review team will select a maximum of 24 people to be invited for Pitchday. Around the 7th of March, you can expect an invitation or a feedback mail from us.

Pitchday will take place on March 12th 2025 and will be organised live in our partner’s office. You get 3 minutes for your presentation, followed by a 12-minute question round from the jury. After these 15 minutes, you leave the room and the jury gets another 5 minutes for discussion and feedback.

You do not have to block an entire day, we will assign you a time slot (but it is wise to block the day already in your calendar now because we can’t be sure we will be able to switch you to another slot if necessary)

No, you can't. We want to get to know your company, but we also want to get to know the person behind the company, to feel your energy, enthusiasm, and drive,... We can't get that from slides. Show us that you're not an ideation startup, but that you know what you are doing and why.

We look at your sector, your company and yourself (the founder team).

• On a sector level, we are curious about the urgency of the problems in your subdomain, the size of the problems, the degree with which they can scale and the potential to generate and own considerable business value for stakeholders.
• On a company level, we are interested if your solution is truly sustainable.
• On a founder level, we expect the humility to share, the commitment to help and the openness to receive all kinds of feedback throughout the journey. 
  

The Start it @KBC team, our partners, our mentors and everybody present in a jury or board room, has signed an NDA. Your secrets are safe with us!

It is possible, but it does not help to convince. We want you to be committed to your company 200% and we want to put people together on similar journeys. Up to you to convince us otherwise.

Being the only no-strings-attached startup accelerator on the Belgian market also means that we don't invest in 'our' startups ourselves. We will however show you how to get funding and how to get the right fin mix for your specific needs.

We have a lot of partners that we can refer you to for all your questions (accounting, legal, financial,...). Check out the partner page on our website for more info. Important: it is not obligatory to become a client/customer of one of our partners.