Are you ready to accelerate?
Our 4 months programme is designed to help impact ventures grow by overcoming the unique challenges they face and equipping them with the resources they need to attract investment, scale their solutions and maximise their impact.
Programme structure
The four-month programme follows a customized approach supported by a sprint work methodology to back each startup in the specific growth challenges they face. It is structured as follows:
• 1 week | Discovery week in Lisbon (in person)
• 15 weeks | Acceleration work (remote)
In the months after the end of the acceleration, the startups will participate in the International Roadshow and will enter the ongoing support provided to the alumni.
Cost for the startups: zero. equity-free. for free. no catch.
Maze X is powered by our partners, who believe in their collective role to support early-stage impact entrepreneurs.
When does it start?
Applications
Applications open
Applications close
Cohort Announcement
Maze X Programme
Discover Week in Lisbon
Acceleration work
International Roadshow & Alumni world
What's in it for you?
Access to Corporate Pilot Opportunities
focus on go-to-market by working directly with large corporates to assess product/market-fit with the possibility of commercial outcomes.
Undivided support
we work with only 10 startups a year to ensure maximum and hands-on support throughout the 4 months of the programme.
Pro bono legal support
over 9 months you will have a dedicated team of PLMJ lawyers providing you free legal advisory. to help you overcome any legal constraints you might be facing.
Discover Week in Lisbon
spend one week in Lisbon bonding with your fellow founders and support team, and networking with the local scene. We promise you memorable spots and moments.
Talented team
experts in product, tech, sales, entrepreneurs-in-residence, investors-in-residence and a managing team fully dedicated to accelerating your business and the rate at which we address some of the world’s most pressing issues.
International and diverse network of advisors
experienced and well-connected professionals ready to advise founders on their business strategy towards more impactful outcomes.
Alumni Network
once a Maze X founder, forever one. After the end of the 4 months, the entire support structure will still be here to support you along your journey. Besides, you will join a wider group of likeminded founders with whom you’ll connect and learn from.
Coworking space
[optional] in a time of social distance, you may consider following the sun and work remotely from Lisbon. If this is your case, we offer you the chance to work for 9 months in Casa do Impacto, one of Lisbon's coolest hubs where the most promising impact start-ups in the ecosystem are based. But, bear in mind, the programme will mainly happen remotely and this offer is entirely optional.
International roadshow
pitch your business across Europe to various investors and corporate networks.
GAN membership
access +$1M in perks, direct connection to its corporate partners, receive founder wellness support, core suite of HR services, mentor calls and much more.
Corporate Pilot Opportunities
In each cohort of 10 startups, Maze X's corporate partners will select 2 to design and implement a corporate pilot within their organisations.
Our team will work alongside your startups to help you learn about the challenges of a big corporate and to design the best pilot approach. During the four months of acceleration, we will work together on defining the best metrics to measure the progress of the pilot ensuring that both startups and the corporate extract the most out of this experience and put you on the road for a prosperous relationship in the future.
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PLMJ
Transformative Legal Experts
PLMJ is one of the leading law firms in Portugal and is looking for startups to help them with challenges such as the democratization of access to legal services, creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces or management of the social and environmental footprint of the firm.
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BNP Paribas
The bank for a changing world
BNP Paribas is Europe's leading provider of banking and financial services. As part of its CSR strategy, BNP Paribas is actively contributing to Portugal's carbon neutrality. This year they want to find the best startups focused on circular economy, and test a solution internally with their workforce of over 7.000 employees.
What are we looking for?
We are on the hunt for 10 tech-based early-stage impact startups focused on solving social and environmental challenges while generating attractive financial results. As an impact startup accelerator, we look at metrics that corroborate how revenue and impact are mutually reinforcing. This is what we call the lock-step model.
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Strong and clear business and impact models with some market validation that suggest product-market-fit.
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A talented and motivated fulltime team.
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A unique and innovative approach with a preference for tech-enabled solutions.
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A business based or focused on the European market.
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The grit and intention to grow a business that makes the world a better place.
You have the option to join us and work in Casa do Impacto where the most promising impact startups in Lisbon are based.
Casa do Impacto was built to support the new generation of entrepreneurs who are building innovative and sustainable businesses with a positive impact in society. It is located in the heart of downtown Lisbon, in a renewed convent, right next to the river. It was founded by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa who has been promoting the well-being of people, mainly those who needed it the most for over 500 years.
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