SHAPE:
The Pre Incubation Program

With our SHAPE program, we support you in the further development and elaboration of your business idea, check its feasibility and provide assistance in the implementation of your marketable business model. During the intensive support, we work methodically with a “Collaborative Learning & Doing” approach. The aim is for you to take your elaborated basic concept to a proof of concept in order to create the basis for a promising and scalable business model.

Apply now! (online form available in German only)

Short Facts

• 7 Workshops | 7 Peer Sessions | 1 Open Studios | 1 Pitch Event (per semester)
  
• Program duration: 6 months (extension up to 12 months possible)
• Entry is possible twice a year (March and September)
  
• Next application phases: June 10 to August 10, 2026 (Start in September)
• Face-to-face and online evening sessions
• Participation free of charge

How is SHAPE structured?

SHAPE consists of an open studio, workshops, peer sessions and a pitch event.

The program starts with an open studio lasting around two hours (in March and September). These meetings are used for onboarding and getting to know the new teams on the one hand and for networking, exchanging information and discussing open questions on the other.

You then start working on the content of your project. The focus is placed on seven topics per semester:

• From Idea to Business
  From developing the business idea to developing the value proposition and working out the unique selling proposition (USP).
• Market analysis & market research
  Carrying out a market analysis, surveying market potential and analyzing competitors.
• Design Thinking & Prototyping
  Identify the wishes and needs of users and design products/services based on these.
• Business system & organization
  Consideration of the required resources, key tasks and important partnerships of your business, including the organization and the team.
• Quantitative financial planning
  From the business model to financial planning, ensuring liquidity, reviewing profitability and determining capital requirements.
• Financing: Public & private Funding
  Overview of public funding opportunities and presentation of private financing instruments for start-ups.
• Pitching
  Development of a startup pitch that contains all relevant information and conveys it concisely.

There will be a two-hour workshop on five of the seven main topics and a two-hour peer session on each topic. In each workshop, experts will provide you with selected and necessary basic knowledge on the respective topic. These workshops take place online in the form of webinars. In the peer session, which takes place in person, this knowledge is incorporated into your product or service and/or your business concept. In addition, these face-to-face sessions promote the exchange of experiences among the participants, discuss current problems and share learnings. You will receive support from other experts and the Startup Salzburg coaches.

As a major highlight, a pitch event takes place in a closed setting every six months (in February and August). At this event, you have the opportunity to present your idea to a jury and receive feedback from startup founders from our Startup Salzburg network.

SHAPE is designed so that you can complete the program in six months. However, if you need more time to develop your startup, you can participate in SHAPE for up to twelve months.

What added value do you get from the SHAPE program?

As part of the SHAPE program, we offer you

• Workshops on relevant startup know-how
• Support in the concrete further development of your business idea
• Regular feedback from experts
• Access to the Startup Salzburg network
• Exchange with peers
• free access to our fully equipped prototype workshop (Pioniergarage Salzburg)

Who is SHAPE suitable for?

• The program is aimed at individuals and teams who are working on an innovative and scalable business idea. Initial measures (e.g. target group analysis, business model canvas, market research, etc.) should already have been implemented and a basic plan for the coming months should have been formulated.
• SHAPE is suitable for anyone who shows commitment and is willing to consistently develop their idea over the course of the program.
• The program is also feasible for working people. All events take place in the late afternoon/evening. There is a compulsory event approximately twice a month, half of which takes place online and half on site. You can organize the rest of the time as you wish and work individually on your start-up project.

What goals are being worked on in the Pre Incubation Program?

• Development of an MVP (Minimum Viable Product = simplest product variant with necessary core benefits) for the potential customer segment
• Achievement of the proof of concept (proof that the business model works in terms of feasibility and profitability)
• Preparation of a basic go-to-market strategy
• Get startups ready to apply for our FACTORY program

How can I apply for SHAPE?

To be accepted into the SHAPE program, you must apply online and meet defined criteria. These include the degree of innovation, the scalability of the business idea and the current progress of implementation. Applications can be submitted via the online application form until 10 August.

Before you apply, we would like to get to know you in an ideaCHECK and find out more about you and your business idea. This is a prerequisite for your application. If you have not yet completed an ideaCHECK appointment, you can do so at any time. You can find the dates in our appointment calendar.

FAQs

Do you still have questions? Take a look at the FAQs, maybe you will find the answer to your questions there.

Your contact person

Nataša Deutinger
Startup Salzburg / Innovation Salzburg
natasa.deutinger@innovation-salzburg.at
+43 7599 722 81