Deloitte & Impact Hub Vienna Are Looking For Social Startups With found!

Creating perspectives is crucial for the successful integration of approved refugees. Especially the personal involvement in the working world is an essential step. “For refugees, the access to the Austrian labor market is often very challenging. As a result, a lot of potential remains unutilized”, emphasizes Bernhard Groehs, CEO of Deloitte Austria. “The found! initiative shows how integration can be lived successfully. Social commitment goes hand in hand with entrepreneurial action.“

Supporting Refugees In Entering The Austrian Labor Market

found! supports projects that prepare refugees for the labor market or create jobs for them. The winning teams of the last program show the diversity of business ideas in this context. The Viennese startup CARamel ranked first with their mobile car wash concept. Two teams from Tyrol shared the second place: Café Namsa is offering first employment relationships as well as training opportunities for refugees. The online interpreting platform interprAID is working on overcoming language barriers and cultural differences in an easy and location-independent way.

“With the first found! program we had the opportunity to support exciting projects. The young businesses made significant progress and opened up great possibilities for refugees“, explains Alexis Eremia, Co-founder and Managing Director of Impact Hub Vienna. “We are already looking forward to meeting the entrepreneurs of the next round.“

Incubation Process For Innovative & Susainable Initiatives

found! supports innovative and sustainable initiatives to create jobs for refugees. These initiatives are supported during a five-month-long incubation phase. The goal is to successfully establish these initiatives in the market. Applications can be submitted by individuals, teams, or existing initiatives whereby the focus lies on projects that are using innovative technologies in their business model.

Part of the five-month acceleration program are business coachings, individual expert advice and mentoring. The teams are also able to participate in tailor-made workshops and trainings and can use the facilities of the co-working space of Impact Hub Vienna.

Experts from Deloitte Austria and Impact Hub Vienna will work together with the six most promising submissions in order to plan, implement and further develop their business ideas. Three of the startups will have the opportunity to receive additional financial support (EUR 25.000,-), as well as further pro-bono advice.

Applications are accepted until 1 December 2017.

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