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World’s First Port Accelerator PortXL Navigates European Startups Toward Success

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Looking to scale your startup in a unique accelerator? Then Rotterdam’s PortXL should be your first choice! Here’s all you need to know before applying until January 31st:

Rotterdam, the Netherland’s second biggest city is not only home to Europe’s largest port but also numerous startups aiming to use the city as their gateway into the world. And the plan’s working! Rotterdam is continuously being featured by leading media outlets (like Wall Street Journal & TechCrunch) as an entrepreneurial and innovative city to watch. Some examples of the local organizations for innovation include the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, the Rotterdam Science Tower, Port Innovation Lab and of course PortXL.

Challenging Startups To Discover New Market Opportunities

PortXL is the world’s first accelerator challenging European startups in the port, maritime and offshore industry. What a lot of startups don’t realize, however, is that technologies from other areas like Transport and Logistics, Energy or Chemical & Refinery can also be applied to these industries thus opening new market opportunities.

This is where PortXL comes in: the aim is to help startups realize their potential and seize these opportunities. The unique accelerator offers a whole ecosystem of highly involved corporate partners, investors, and mentors that support and accelerate the entrepreneurial journey to its participants. Within one year of founding PortXL has managed to gather more than 180 partners & mentors including Van Oord, Port of Rotterdam, EY, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, Vopak, Damen, Uniper, First Dutch, Rabobank, Boskalis and Innovation Quarter.

And the effort pays off: Out of the accelerator’s first batch including 12 startups, six signed a customer contract and indicated that they plan to stay in Rotterdam, bringing their technologies to a higher level and securing Rotterdam’s reputation of the world’s smartest and most innovative port. “Rotterdam serves as a springboard for the rest of the world. You’re expected to ‘put your shoulder to the wheel’ here, but if you really want something, you can make it happen”, says Mare Straetmans, Managing Director at PortXL.

100 Days To Bridge The Gap Between Startups & Enterprises

So, what can you expect from the program? It’s a 100-days long, intense program giving startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to 250 port professionals and more than 20 CEO’s within three months, thus bridging the gap between startups and large enterprises.

World’s First Port Accelerator PortXL Navigates European Startups Toward Success

Here’s how the full deal works:

  • Direct access to launching customers
  • Active support by 150+ seasoned mentors
  • Access to a network of 20+ investors
  • Free office space at the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship
  • An extensive alumni program
  • €15.000,- compensation for housing and food
  • Sponsored services by financial, fiscal, intellectual property, marketing, and many more experts
  • In return for participation, PortXL asks for 8% of the shares

PortXL is currently selecting startups that will join their 2017 program. Apply through the website until January 31st & get ready to become the next port multinational!

Ready to conquer the world?

 

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