Start Up With Us is INOVAGAIA’s ideation programme, designed to turn real challenges within the local community into opportunities for creative problem-solving. It is the first stage of a journey that may continue through Create and Scale Up With Us.

It is for individuals and teams interested in exploring problems and developing ideas with practical potential. Each edition specifies its eligible participants and participation rules.

The programme focuses on ideation, so a fully developed business is not necessarily required. Check the rules for the relevant edition to see whether you can bring your own idea or work on proposed challenges.

Ideation involves understanding problems, learning about users, exploring possible solutions and testing early assumptions. The activities, mentors and format depend on the particular Start Up With Us edition.

Participation conditions may vary between editions. Check the current programme page and rules to confirm any fees, eligibility requirements or support available.

Once a team has identified a meaningful problem and a promising solution, the next step may be to validate the concept further and develop a prototype. Create With Us is the INOVAGAIA programme focused on that stage.