Birdhouse Accelerator

The program

• What can you expect? Over the next sixteen weeks, you’ll make bold but well thought-out leaps to reach your goals. Our mentors, coaches and experts will guide you through the program with their intensive support. Ready for explosive growth?
• A small selection of start-ups: At Birdhouse, we choose to admit only a very limited number of start-ups. That way, you are guaranteed intensive personal guidance, every step of the way. The program will be perfectly suited to the ambitions of your start-up.
• Dedicated mentoring: During the program, more than 35 renowned mentors will be available to you. Two of them will join your team as advisors and confidants. They’ll share their expertise, make their network available and challenge you to go further than you ever thought was possible. There’ll also be topic mentors to advise you on specific domains.
• Coworking: We’ll grant you access to our Meetdistrict coworking spaces in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. Here you’ll work alongside other participating start-ups in the fun atmosphere of our coworking spaces. Don’t miss out on the afterworks!
• Events: You are cordially invited to our events! We regularly host the Birdhouse networking dinner. We also organize events for a broad audience around a specific start-up theme, with keynote speakers from the top of the start-up scene!
• Valuable network: You’ll have access to our network of professionals who’ll be important to your start-up. We’ll put you in touch with investors, partners, alumni and other driven entrepreneurs, who in turn will provide essential connections.
• Time for growth: Throughout the program, we will review your progress during the legendary KPI & Pizza nights and a mid-term evaluation, which is a perfect opportunity to receive constructive feedback from our mentors. This will allow you to continue to grow in the right direction. After four months, it’s time to graduate. It’ll be a graduation you won’t quickly forget! During the ceremony, you’ll give an impressive final pitch to investors and other important guests. We will provide a demo stand where you can grow your network even further!
• Terms and conditions: The program fee is EUR 35,000 (excl. VAT) and is offered through a convertible loan with a 25% discount. Belfius pays the fee directly to Birdhouse on behalf of your start-up. Belfius and Birdhouse each have a right to invest in your next funding rounds of 10%.
• 50K Financing: Have you made it through the decision process? Then you’ll receive financing of €50,000 by means of a bullet loan, from us in collaboration with Belfius (applicable for Belgium based start-ups). You don’t have to personally vouch for this. You’ll have to repay this financing within a period of 3 years.
• Financial support: Our network includes the right people to raise the necessary capital. We’ll put you in touch with investors, draw up a financing plan together and guide you in the negotiation of your terms. Together we’ll develop a strong, detailed pitch to convince potential investors of your start-up.
• Advisory Board: Your advisors will consist of a mix of personalities with their own network, to which you’ll have access. Combined with their years of experience, we’ll help you in achieving the short-term goals of your start-up.
• A world of expertise: At Birdhouse, we offer you unlimited knowledge and expertise in the fields of legislation, funding, marketing, sales and more. Our mentors and partners are ready to help you, while our start-up coach is ready to connect the right experts to your start-up.
• Work hard, play hard: Next to all that hard work, there is also room to relax and for teambuilding! Christmas parties, summer BBQs, laser games, escape rooms, visits to Bocadero in Antwerp and Gentse Feesten… Or simply a cold beer and a slice of pizza in our kitchen!
• Focus days with keynote speakers: We could all use a little inspiration now and then. During the program, the most accomplished speakers from the start-up world will discuss the best ways to tackle specific topics within marketing, sales and finance. Knowledge, here we come!

MeetDistrict: coworking as it should be

During our accelerator program, we’ll welcome you in our offices in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels. Here you’ll form a close group with other participating start-ups. Next to that you’ll have access to the different facilities MeetDistrict has to offer.

• Birdhouse Antwerp
  Around the corner you’ll find Antwerp-Berchem Station. This ensures that this coworking space is easily accessible by public transport. Do you prefer driving? We are located next to an exit of the R1 (Antwerpse Ring). Apart from the practical aspects, this coworking space is also perfect for working and networking. Being the icing on the cake, it also features a lunch spot and a bar to end the work week on a positive note. Posthofbrug 6/8, 2600 Antwerpen
• Birdhouse Ghent
  Working with a view on the “Buffalo’s” football field? This is possible in MeetDistrict. We’ve settled in the middle of a vibrant and modern co-working environment, where you can bump into lots of other entrepreneurial minds. Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 808 b300, 9000 Ghent
• Birdhouse Brussels
  This coworking space has everything you’ll need to work in a productive and flexible way. You’ll have access to all facilities this advanced complex has to offer. It’s located in a vibrant district in the heart of Brussels, with plenty of places to eat. Just like our coworking spaces in Antwerp and Ghent, the one in Brussels is very easy to reach by public transport or by car. Avenue de Bischoffsheim 15, Brussels

Selection procedure

1. Registration: Leave your details by filling in the form on the registration page. We’ll send you a second form to provide us with more information about your start-up and its founders. Your registration isn’t complete until we’ve received both forms.
2. Jury: After an extensive screening we’ll let you know whether you’ll be invited to pitch or not. You’ll do this in front of our jury, made up of experienced mentors and members of the Birdhouse team. Your pitch will last 15 minutes and will be followed by a Q&A of another 15 minutes.
3. Due Diligence: Did you convince us? Then you’ll be invited for a final check-up. We’ll dive a little deeper into your start-up to get a better picture. This way we’ll quickly find the ideal composition of your course during our program!
4. Announcement: The moment of truth! You’ll hear from us if you’ve been selected for our accelerator. We welcome a total of 15 brand new start-ups.
5. Start of the programme: The start of your growth from start-up to scale-up. Are you ready to roll? We are!