Frequently Asked Questions

Dare2Scale will run from September to December in 2024. We will start collecting applications in April and will hold selection interviews in May. The new, 6th cohort will be announced in June. The program will start with an Orientation in early September and will end with Demo Day – the date will be announced by October.

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 a 60-min 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.

Your participation at Dare2Scale would take on average 3-5 hours per week. 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 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.

Yes, you can apply again if your company was not selected in the past. However, it is advisable to review the reasons why your application was not selected in the previous edition and work on addressing any shortcomings or improving your application before reapplying. As we receive a large number of applications, only a limited number of late-stage startups can be selected for each cohort. Good luck with your future application!

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 weekly or 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 and 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.

Dare2Scale does not take any equity from the selected companies.

Endeavor charges a standard participation fee of EUR 4,000. This fee is in exchange for the support and resources provided to the participating companies during the program, which includes access to group workshops, individual mentorship, multiple networking opportunities and events, including Demo Day (attended by 120+ local ecosystem leaders).

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 Regional and Global programs – subject to meeting the selection criteria. For more info – get in touch with Ivo Atanassov, Dare2Scale’s Program Lead.