Level up is an accelerator program based in Central-Eastern Europe that bridges the gap between impact startups and corporate entities to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The deck functions primarily as a sales document for corporate partners, outlining a 6-month program that includes 10 master classes, business mentoring, and technical support. Backed by Nod Makerspace and Babele, the program leverages existing infrastructure like the MATER library of materials and Babele’s accelerator management software. The core value proposition for corporates is the 'adoption' of a startup…
Key takeaways
- The program is structured as a 6-month collaboration between a corporate entity and an 'adopted' impact startup (Slide 3).
- Level up offers 10 specific master classes covering topics from SDG frameworks to financial planning and storytelling (Slide 4).
- Mentorship is provided by 20 experienced mentors through weekly 1-on-1 and group coaching sessions (Slide 5).
- Technical support includes access to a network of makers, designers, and engineers capable of working with materials like wood, cork, textile, and metal (Slide 6).
- The accelerator is a joint effort between Nod Makerspace, which hosts the first Library of Materials in CEE, and Babele, a technology company (Slide 7).
- Babele brings significant scale to the partnership, claiming to have involved 1200+ entrepreneurs from 113 countries in its programs (Slide 7).
- The cost for a corporate to join the program is explicitly stated as 5,000 Euros (Slide 8).
- Corporate benefits include full access for 10 employees, a seat on the startup selection committee, and a presence on the program's key visuals for 7 months (Slide 8).
Executive Summary: The Corporate Innovation Sales Pitch
Level up positions itself as the first SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) accelerator in Central-Eastern Europe. Unlike traditional startup pitch decks that seek venture capital to scale a proprietary technology, this deck is a B2B sales tool designed to recruit corporate partners. The narrative focuses on the synergy between established businesses and impact-driven startups, promising corporate employees a 'boost' in their entrepreneurial mindset through a structured 6-month program.
Slide 1: Title and Positioning
The cover slide is minimalist, featuring the Level up logo and the tagline: "The first SDGs Accelerator in Eastern Europe." The use of a connected node background suggests a networking and ecosystem-focused approach. It establishes the geographic and thematic niche immediately.
Slide 2: The Mission Statement
Slide 2 defines the program's core function: "Level-Up brings business together to tackle the SDGs." It describes itself as an "open-innovation program" that facilitates collaborations between corporate entities and impact startups. The inclusion of photos showing diverse groups in workshop settings serves as social proof that the program is active and physical, rather than just a theoretical concept.
Slide 3: The Program Structure
This slide outlines the 6-month duration and the primary objectives for corporate participants. The deck uses imagery from 'The Incredibles' to illustrate the partnership between the 'Corporate' (the larger hero) and the 'Impact startup' (the smaller hero). The stated goals for employees are to boost entrepreneurial mindsets, support the adopted venture to scale, and develop corporate-startup collaborations. This is a clear appeal to HR and Innovation departments looking for professional development opportunities for their staff.
Slide 4: The Curriculum (Master-classes)
Slide 4 provides a detailed breakdown of the 10 master classes that occur every two weeks. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering:
Phase 1-5: SDG framework, Lean startup, Shared Value development, AARRR Funnel, and Business Modeling. · Phase 6-10: Production Planning, PR & Digital marketing, Financial planning, Scaling Strategy, and Storytelling.
This slide is critical because it demonstrates the academic and practical rigor of the program, showing potential corporate partners exactly what their 10 participating employees will be learning.
Slide 5: Mentoring and Platform
Level up highlights its human capital by citing "20 experienced mentors" who provide weekly coaching. The slide distinguishes between 1-on-1/group coaching and an "Online platform mentoring" component. The latter is powered by Babele's software, allowing for peer-learning and the sharing of best practices. This suggests a hybrid model of physical interaction and digital tracking.
Slide 6: Technical Support and Prototyping
One of the most unique aspects of this accelerator is its focus on physical products. Slide 6 lists technical support for a wide array of materials, including Wood, Cork, Textile, Ceramics, Glass, Composite, Plants, Metal, and Stone. The slide mentions that the network includes professional makers, designers, and engineers. This indicates that Level up is particularly well-suited for hardware or consumer-good startups, rather than just software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies.
Slide 7: The Team and Backing
The "Behind Level-Up" slide introduces the two founding organizations:
Nod Makerspace: Described as a dynamic ecosystem for designers and engineers, featuring the first "Library of Materials" in CEE. · Babele: A technology and consulting company that has involved 1200+ entrepreneurs from 113 countries and worked with clients like the United Nations and Ernst & Young.
This slide provides the necessary credibility (traction and pedigree) to justify the program's existence and the fees charged to corporates.
Slide 8: The Ask (Join the Program)
The final slide in this set is a transparent pricing table. The cost to join is 5.000 Euros. The slide lists 12 specific deliverables, including:
Access for 10 employees. · Adoption of 1 impact startup. · Presence on Key Visuals for 7+ months. · A seat on the jury for Demo Day. · Access to e-learning materials and early access to startup products.
What Works Well in This Deck
Transparency: The most refreshing part of this deck is the final slide. By stating the 5,000 Euro price point and listing exactly what that money buys, Level up eliminates the ambiguity often found in partnership decks. It turns a vague "collaboration" into a concrete product.
Resource Heavy: The emphasis on the "Library of Materials" and the technical experts (makers, engineers) gives the accelerator a tangible value proposition that differentiates it from the thousands of generic software accelerators globally.
Strategic Partnerships: Leveraging Babele’s existing stats (1200+ entrepreneurs, 113 countries) allows a regional accelerator to claim global expertise and proven software infrastructure from day one.
What Is Missing
Startup Success Stories: While the deck mentions "impact startups," it does not name any specific companies that have graduated from the program or show the results of previous collaborations. Case studies would significantly strengthen the sales pitch.
Selection Criteria: There is no information on how the startups are vetted or what the "impact" requirements are. A corporate partner would want to know the quality of the startups they are expected to "adopt."
ROI for Corporates: While the deck mentions "entrepreneurial mindset," it lacks data on how previous corporate partners benefited. Did they launch new products? Did they reduce employee churn? Hard metrics on corporate innovation outcomes are absent.
Advice for Founders Copying This Format
Use the 'Deliverables Grid': If you are running a service-based business or an accelerator, the grid on Slide 8 is a masterclass in clear communication. It breaks down a complex service into digestible icons and bullet points.
Highlight Physical Assets: If you have access to labs, makerspaces, or specialized equipment, make them a central pillar of your deck. In a world of digital-only startups, physical resources are a significant moat.
Define the 'Who': Level up is very clear about who the program is for (10 employees) and what they will do (10 master classes). When selling to corporates, specificity regarding the time commitment and the number of people involved is essential for getting budget approval.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary business model of Level up?
- Based on the final slide, the primary business model is a fee-for-service arrangement where corporate partners pay 5,000 Euros to participate. This fee covers employee training, startup 'adoption,' and branding opportunities. It functions more like a corporate social responsibility (CSR) or innovation-as-a-service product than a traditional equity-based venture accelerator.
- Who are the organizations behind this accelerator?
- The program is a collaboration between Nod Makerspace and Babele. Nod Makerspace provides the physical ecosystem and technical expertise, including a 'Library of Materials.' Babele provides the digital infrastructure, using its accelerator management software which has reportedly served over 40 incubation programs globally.
- What specific technical resources are available to startups?
- Startups have access to specialized technical support for physical product development. This includes expertise in materials such as wood, cork, textile, ceramics, glass, composites, plants, metal, and stone. They also receive assistance with electronics, web design, photography, and video editing through the Nod Makerspace and Babele communities.
- How is the curriculum structured?
- The curriculum consists of 10 master classes delivered every two weeks. The topics follow a standard startup development path: SDG framework, Lean startup, Shared Value, AARRR Funnel, Business Modeling, Production Planning, PR/Marketing, Financial Planning, Scaling Strategy, and Storytelling.
- Is this a pitch for investment or a sales deck?
- This is a sales deck. While it uses the 'pitch deck' format, it does not ask for venture capital or offer equity in the accelerator. Instead, it invites corporate partners to 'Join the Program' for a fixed price of 5,000 Euros, detailing the specific deliverables they will receive in exchange for that payment.
