Seed Camp

FAQs

How can I get funding?

There is a section on the site called Apply. You can click there and learn about the application criteria and how teams will be selected to receive funding. The application form is also available for download.

What happens after the Seedcamp week?

At the end of the Seedcamp week, we will select 5 teams out of the 20 to receive an investment of €50K per team. The winning teams will be invited to stay in London for a further 3-month period to work on building their business idea and product further. We will communicate this decision during the weekend following Seedcamp week.

What is the selection process?

A team of experienced VCs will review the initial on-line applications. Through the work of this team we will select 20 teams that we would like to invite to London for Seedcamp. As we are short-listing towards the 20 teams, we may request a phone or in-person interview with the teams.

What do you mean by network of mentors?

We believe that beyond funding, critical to a company’s success is an active and vibrant market in which a company operates. There are many indirect and direct players in the market that companies work with and through to build successful businesses. We call this the network of mentors, ranging from serial entrepreneurs and technology experts to lawyers, VCs, and marketing experts.

How much funding do companies receive and for what stake?

The winning companies will receive up to €50K per team to support living and operational expenses in London for three months, in exchange for a small minority stake in the company. This is a straightforward common equity stake and we will not require any additional preferential terms or rights. We strongly believe that companies must be nurtured at the early stages and not burdened with onerous rights and terms.

Who is behind this?

Seedcamp is founded by a group of experienced angel and VC investors across Europe, particularly active in the UK. Unlike similar individual projects in other countries, this group of people has come together across Europe to seed fund the greatest next generation of start-up teams.

Who are these mentors?

When we refer to mentors, we are talking about experts across various areas of technology and business that are integral for the development of a start-up technology company. These mentors believe in the vision of working together to improve entrepreneurship in Europe. These founders, lawyers, product experts, accountants, recruiters will bring such immensely valuable experience to Seedcamp that we know all the invited teams will be excited to partake.

Do I have to stay in London for the 3 months?

We strongly encourage teams to stay in London and are providing the investment sum of up to €50K towards this. We will emulate the environment you will experience during Seedcamp week for the course of the 3 months. As such, the best way to take advantage of interacting with the various experts and having the benefit of 4 other young start-ups will best be realized by staying on in London.

Where will we live in London?

Seedcamp will support the investees with an introduction into various parties that can provide temporary housing/office space for the 3-month period. In many instances teams find it easier to work and live in the same place. We believe teams should make the decisions on where they live as per their own interests and circumstances.

What happens after 3 months?

During the 3 months you will work and function as an independent company. This is your baby and we expect you run ahead full force with it. We will organize additional networking events for you during the 3 months. At Week 6 there will be a demo day where you will have a chance to demo your progress to the other groups and some select Seedcamp Founder investors. At Week 10 we will organize an investor day where you can pitch your company for the next stage of funding and development. We expect that by this time you will have built a strong network for yourself and your company and will be healthy and happy Seedcamp graduates.

What else does Seedcamp provide?

Additional support that Seedcamp provides includes relationships with preferred partners. We are working closely with specific vendors across website development and hosting, legal company set-up.

I am very excited. How do I apply?

We are glad you are so excited. Please go into the Application section and you will find out all the details on how to apply. Also, have a look at the Application Criteria for more information. We have built an online application process to facilitate a better and faster application experience.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline for this year's round is Sunday August 10th, 2008, at 23:59! Applications received after this will not be reviewed.

Where is Seedcamp located?

Seedcamp is being held in London. We wanted to hold this event in a vibrant and thriving technology community.

Are you looking for investors or mentors?

We appreciate the support of both potential investors and mentors. If you are interested in either, please reach out to us at info@seedcamp.com

Is this only open to European people?

This event is open to entrepreneurial teams within and outside Europe. The key criteria is that the teams are committed to building their business in Europe as a starting point.

If I already have funding or am incorporated, can I apply?

We recommend that you do not incorporate if you have not already done so. That said, please do apply even if you have already formed a company

Do I need a prototype?

We believe it is important that ideas have been through a whetting process by entrepreneurs. As such, we strongly advise you to apply if you have a prototype that you have started to build or already built. We are definitely interested in big ideas and we want to see some of how you put idea into practice

Do I have to be full time?

We understand that you may be working on other things right now. We do expect that if you are selected as part of the 5 teams to receive investment, then you will work on your business full time. We value commitment and drive and believe that you will want to work full time building your next great business

How are you different from Y Combinator and TechStars?

Y Combinator and TechStars have provided a great example to Seedcamp in their progress to date. Seedcamp though is different in some important ways 1) it is a collective rather than an individual initiative by members of the VC community, serial entrepreneurs, mentors, and angel investors and 2) it incorporates the challenges specific to European entrepreneurs in starting up businesses

When will the next Seedcamp happen?

The next Seedcamp will take place in September 2008. More information will be available in the summer.