from AI Startup
to AI Scale-up
Application deadline: January 5, 2025
Program duration: January 2025 – April 2025
The AI Startup Rising Accelerator is a tailored 3 months accelerator program aiming to support a limited number of startups with an AI-centric business model in their scale-up stage.
RISING runs once a year and offers qualified support in all areas of the growth process, including workshops, coaching, targeted advice, a prize money of 10,000€ per team, support in public relations and recruitment, and networking with hessian.AI partners, mentors, and investors.
Every chosen accelerator startup receives 10,000€ price money to spend freely.
You’ll get access to world class startup and AI mentors from science and industry from the hessian.AI network.
Participate in four exclusive workshops designed for AI scale-ups looking to internationalize with a solid AI foundation. Find more details below.
Receive marketing and recruiting support from experts and members of the hessian.AI network throughout the entire program.
Access to the unique high-performance AI infrastructure optimized for AI workloads at the Darmstadt site.
Kick-off on 4th February 2025
This module helps AI startups formulate a robust sales strategy to scale their growth. It covers topics such as identifying target markets, developing a sales funnel, and effective sales techniques. The module also includes practical exercises and case studies.
Kick-off on 4th February 2025
This module prepares AI startups for investment rounds during their growth phase. It covers topics such as understanding the investment landscape, preparing a compelling pitch, and negotiating with investors. The module also includes mock investment pitches.
Kick-off on 3rd March 2025
This module equips AI founders with the leadership skills to lead a growing startup. It covers team motivation, decision-making strategies, and conflict resolution. The module also includes leadership exercises and role-playing scenarios.
Kick-off on 4th March 2025
This module focuses on the ethical and regulatory landscape of the AI industry. It covers topics such as understanding the AI Act, navigating regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations in AI development. The module includes case studies and discussions.
"As a startup accelerator, AI Startup Rising offered support in a variety of ways. Through various workshop formats, topics such as investor readiness, employee recruitment, decision-making within the company and aspects of the customer journey were addressed. This support has helped to strengthen the respective areas and promote the growth and development of the company."
"AI Startup Rising simply has a great network! The time we spent with the selected coaches helped us massively, especially in the area of investment readiness!"
