Entrepreneurs and children have something in common: they find solutions that change what we define as possible.

Innovators for Children an annual acceleration program dedicated to early-stage technology solutions that have a positive impact on the education, health and well-being of children and adolescents. The program is jointly implemented by Impact Hub Basel and Impact Hub Bucharest with support from Fondation Botnar and the Vodafone Romania Foundation.

Accelerating Impact

Currently in its third edition, Innovators for Children supports early-stage startups in Romania with a working prototype or commercially in the market for less than a year. Aiming to deliver impact at scale, the program focuses in particular on technological innovations, high-leverage products or services, and systemic solutions. By providing training, mentoring, funding and connections into local and international entrepreneurial communities, the program accelerates impactful and innovative solutions that help change the future for children.

Two-phased Incubation Approach

Each edition of the program consists of two incubation phases. The first is an early incubation and validation phase lasting 3 months, consisting of training, mentoring, workshops, feedback sessions and connections into local and international entrepreneurial communities. 10-12 teams take part in phase one, which culminates in an assessment day and public pitching event.  A panel of judges then select 3-5 winning teams to proceed to the second phase – 6 months of in-depth incubation – and prizes ranging from funding to investment readiness support.

Dara Association – a platform digital home care platform for children with cancer and severe chronic diseases.

ProfAidKit Association Autism Voice – innovative tools for teachers and parents of children with atypical behaviors.

FluxyApp Pocket School – a flow-learning education app to address gaps in high school student education.

The Runners Up (phase one)

EduMagic – a microlearning platform to help teachers teach digital natives more effectively.

KidiBot Afterschool – synchronous and asynchronous afterschool programs for children in I-VI grade.

KidKit – preschool activity sheets brought to life through technology, based on interdisciplinary, critical and creative thinking.

Kids Finance – a complete financial education solution for children, carefully designed to develop healthy habits.

MilkApp – an application to efficiently manage breastmilk banks in Romania.

TeensUP – a monitoring and emotional calibration game for teenagers, designed by psychologists.

TULLY – a wearable solution to help children affected by sensory integration disorders (ADHD, ODD, Autism etc.) to manage their emotions.

What participants get

Funding and/or Investment Readiness Support

International connections with Basel

Mentoring and training

Regular advice & feedback rounds by health experts

Access to the Impact Hub community

Development & additional sources of funding opportunities