Frequently Asked Questions

Dare2Scale will run from September to December in 2025. We will start collecting applications in April and will hold selection interviews in May. The new, 7th cohort will be announced in June. The program will start with an Orientation on September 10th and will end with Demo Day on December 10th.

Dare2Scale has a competitive selection process that involves evaluating applications based on several factors, including the founding team, the market opportunity, the product or solution being offered and its level of innovation, and the overall fit with the program.

All candidates are expected to submit an application by April 30th (link in the program’s description page), take part in an 1h interview that is led by Endeavor’s network members, partners and program management.

Our team will notify all shortlisted applicants by telephone and will invite them to an online selection interview.

Dare2Scale does not take any equity from the selected companies.

Yes, as of 2024, the Dare2Scale program is expanding to include late-stage startups from the Western Balkans region. We will welcome the most promising companies from the region once again in 2025. All candidates with a scalable business model and growth potential are eligible to apply.

Dare2Scale has at least 6 workshops as part of the program agenda, lasting on average 3 hours each. All parts of Dare2Scale are optional but it’s highly recommended to take part in all group workshops, individual mentor sessions and networking events. We would expect you to choose how to navigate between your company and the program so that you could maximize the benefits of your participation.

We send you an automatic confirmation email with a copy of your application after your submission. If you don’t see that email, please check your spam folder. If you don’t see it there, make sure you entered your email address correctly on the application.

If you still don’t see the confirmation email, get in touch with us at daretoscale@endeavor.org.

All founders and co-founders of the selected companies are invited and expected to attend the group workshops. However, C-level executives are welcome to participate in relevant specific discussions with the company’s dedicated 1:1 mentor.

Dare2Scale does not limit its admission criteria to late-stage startups from only one industry. Instead, it welcomes companies from a diverse range of industries, including but not limited to software, F&B, energy, real estate, and more. The goal is to provide mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to a variety of companies, regardless of their industry or niche. Our mentors – senior PwC consults and Endeavor’s mentor network, come from different backgrounds, too and have a wealth of experience in various fields, providing valuable insights and perspectives to the participants. As we are not limiting our focus to one industry, we are creating a diverse and dynamic ecosystem for late-stage startups to grow and develop.

We can’t provide detailed individual feedback on all application results due to the volume of applications we have to process.

Yes, in 2022 we introduced a quota for non-profit organizations who can participate together with for-profits in each cohort. The growth-related guidance our mentors and workshop leaders provide at Dare2Scale and much of the schedule during the program is directly applicable to both NGOs and for-profit companies. A list with all NGO’s that took part in the program can be found on Dare2Scale’s website.

Yes, you can apply again if your company was not selected in the past. As we receive a significant number of applications, only a limited number of late-stage startups can be selected for each cohort.

The schedule will be announced in the summer, once the cohort is finalized and we have a better understanding of their specific challenges. Each year, we tailor the program to fit the needs of our participants.

The 1:1 mentor sessions are typically organized as scheduled meetings between your mentor, the participating founders, and if relevant – the company’s C-levels.

The PwC sessions typically have a set duration and are held on a biweekly basis, while the meetings with the mentors from the Endeavor network are on an ad-hoc basis.

The purpose of these meetings is for the mentor to provide the participant with guidance and support on a range of strategic issues, such as business strategy, product development, fundraising, and more. It is highly advisable that the entrepreneurs come prepared with specific questions or topics they would like to discuss, or the mentor may take the lead in guiding the conversation based on their experience and expertise. The ultimate goal is for the mentor to help the company make progress and achieve its ambitious goals.

Dare2Scale’s workshops are led by industry experts, Endeavor mentors and successful entrepreneurs, such as Kalin Radev, Vince Gaydardzhiev, Svetozar Georgiev and Hristo Hristov, amongst others. They cover a wide range of essential business topics – Product-Market Fit, Go-to-Market Strategy, Fundraising, Organization & Culture and are delivered as in-person sessions. All selected entrepreneurs are expected to attend and participate in these founder-only sessions as part of their overall development plan.

The program will include a combination of in-person events in the Western Balkans (Pristina, Skopje, Tirana) and in Sofia, ensuring accessibility for participants from across the region. All Western Balkans participants are invited in the joint Kick-off and Demo Day events, which will give them the opportunity to expand their networks and pitch their businesses in front of a wider ecosystem audience.

It is common for entrepreneurs to continue seeking additional funding, mentorship, or networking opportunities after the program’s completion. All Dare2Scale alumni are welcome to get in touch with our team if they wish to:

• be included in Endeavor’s investor bulletin – distributed on a quarterly basis to 100+ local and international investors, or
• to receive additional resources, such as opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs, and
• access to educational materials and events designed to help them develop their skills and knowledge.

The alumni companies may also proceed to Endeavor’s Alumni+, Regional and Global programs – subject to meeting the selection criteria. For more info – get in touch with Ivo Atanassov, Dare2Scale’s Program Lead.

Endeavor wants participants to experience different regional ecosystems, which is why the program takes place in multiple locations. While we don’t reimburse travel costs, past participants have successfully applied for support through organizations that fund entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans. We’d be happy to connect you with them and share more details on the process.

To maximize networking and learning opportunities, the program includes in-person events and workshops led by key ecosystem players. From September to December, participants can expect to travel at least once a month for these sessions.