Question 1

1. How can I apply to the program?​

Accepted Answer

On the ZERO website you will find the “APPLY” button that takes you directly to the application form. The application takes place on the F6S portal, the largest community of startups and founders.

Question 2

2. What is the language of the application form?​

Accepted Answer

Italian or English.

Question 3

3. Is there a minimum number of team members required?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the team must comprise at least 2 individuals.​

Question 4

4. Must the entire team commit full-time to the startup during the Acceleration Programme?

Accepted Answer

a) Yes, the founders and team members essential for the development of the startup must be fully committed and attend in-person meetings at ENI Joule's headquarters at the Gazometro in Rome.​
b) Any other founders, employees, or support staff may work part-time and/or remotely.

Question 5

5. Do I need to provide the startup's business plan?

Accepted Answer

No, an overall presentation with the startup's key business metrics is all that is required.

Question 6

6. Does my startup already have to be established?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily, however, it must be established during the program to receive the investment.

Question 7

7. I submitted the application, what are the next steps?​

Accepted Answer

The selection process takes up to 8 weeks and consists of 2 steps:​
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1. First phase: some startups will be reached for an in-depth analysis with the acceleration team. During this call, startup metrics will be discussed and the general terms of the deal will be introduced;​
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2. Phase Two: Selected teams will receive our Term Sheet, and upon acceptance, the startups that best meet the requirements will be shortlisted to participate in the Selection Day. Following the Selection Day, the Investment Committee will make the final decision on which startups will join the Acceleration Programme.​
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You will be notified of the selection results once the selection process has been completed.​

Question 8

8. What happens to the 10 startups selected at the Selection Meeting?​

Accepted Answer

The 10 startups chosen will embark on an initial 2-month phase of the Programme. During this time, they will collaborate closely with the accelerator team in what is known as Business Acceleration Phase 1, focusing on refining their product and market strategies. Additionally, they will work with corporate mentors (Solution Integration Phase 1) to develop an integration use case. ​
The participation in this initial phase does NOT involve any investment for the startups.

Question 9

9. What happens to the 10 startups after this initial phase?

Accepted Answer

At the end of this phase, the startups will present their progress during a Pitch Day in front of investor partners (CDP, Zest Group, ELIS). The investors will select 5 startups to receive funding. Corporate Partners will also choose which startups they wish to continue experimenting with (feasibility study). Those not selected for investment but chosen by a Corporate Partner will receive financial support of €15K.​
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After this, the second phase of the Programme will begin, lasting 3 months. The startups will continue working closely with the accelerator team in Business Acceleration Phase 2, preparing for the Demo Day. They will also collaborate with corporate mentors in Solution Integration Phase 2 to test their solution against the identified use case."​

Question 10

10. How much investment will the 5 startups selected by the investor partners receive?​

Accepted Answer

The 5 startups chosen by the investor partners will receive a pre-seed investment from Cleantech Srl amounting to €120K, comprising €100K in cash and €20K in services.

Question 11

11. Do you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)?​

Accepted Answer

No, we are investors, not entrepreneurs. Our role is to help you grow your idea, not to steal it. Rest assured, we will be the only ones to review your data, and we will not use it.

Question 12

12. My startup already has a product and customers. Does the Acceleration Programme still make sense for me?​

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. This programme enables us to assist any startup that has not yet secured funding from venture capitalists

Question 13

13. I have a great idea for a startup, but I’m not technical. Will you still fund me?

Accepted Answer

The founding team must possess the necessary skills to build the product independently rather than outsourcing it to others. For most startups, this means having a technical co-founder.