Good Startup School Shkodra 2022 Spark
“TheGoodStartupSchool Shkodra (GSS Shkodra)” took place from August to November 2022 in the Shkodër region, covering five municipalities. The program was designed to empower young people to become successful entrepreneurs, ultimately preparing them to be the next generation of startup founders and contributing to the creation of new businesses with a positive impact on local economies.
Key Elements of the Program:
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Duration: The program lasted 4 months, with key activities occurring from September to October 2022.
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Participants: The program targeted young individuals from the Shkodër region, involving up to 50 participants in its early stages. Selected participants, grouped into 7 teams of 3-4 members each, progressed to the intensive phases of the program.
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Activities:
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Hackathon Startup Weekend by Techstars: A 3-day intensive academy held from September 16-18, 2022, aimed at enhancing participants’ technical skills and startup knowledge, focusing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
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GoodStartup School (GSS) Program: A 3-week accelerator program in October 2022 provided selected teams with comprehensive support to develop their business ideas into concrete models. The program featured live workshops, mentoring sessions, and a Demo Day, where participating teams presented their ideas to a jury of national and international experts.
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Study Visit to Vienna: The top three teams, as judged by the jury, were awarded a 3-day study visit to Vienna in October 2022. During this visit, they explored five business incubators and attended workshops by leading Austrian lecturers, gaining insights into successful European startup ecosystems.
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Participating Teams:
The teams that advanced through the program were:
- Shkodra Online: Focused on enhancing online presence and digital tools for local businesses.
- Diabeti.gram: Developed a platform to support diabetic patients with real-time monitoring and resources.
- Coospace Shkodra: Created co-working spaces designed to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs.
- Handmade ‘Ta marrsha’: Promoted local craftsmanship through an online marketplace for handmade products.
- Vertikal Farming: Worked on vertical farming solutions to optimize agricultural output in urban areas.
- Smart Trash: Innovated smart waste management solutions to improve urban cleanliness.
- Clay Play: Focused on creating products made from eco-friendly clay.
Outcomes:
The program successfully equipped these young entrepreneurs with practical tools and methodologies, including the Lean Startup approach, to refine and execute their business ideas. Participants were introduced to advanced techniques in business model design and customer discovery. The top three teams, recognized for their outstanding ideas, were given opportunities for international exposure, fostering potential long-term collaborations and contributing to the local startup ecosystem.