Wayra is a global network of startup accelerators by telecommunications giant Telefónica, with 14 Academies scattered around Latin America and Europe. Wayra just released its latest Global Call for startups, and its academy based in Prague focusing on Central and Eastern Europe, Wayra CEE has space for up to 10 digital startups. The deadline for application is February 23. Applications will be evaluated by the end of March and the accelerator programme will begin in April.
Wayra CEE is one of the latest acceleration programs focused on - but not limited to - Central and Eastern Europe. It provides technological resources so that the region’s potential can compete with the best on equal terms, in order to facilitate new emerging startups across Europe. Wayra CEE wants not only to work with entrepreneurs, but to support startup communities in the entire CEE region, and to draw international attention to its great potential.
Wayra CEE is based in Prague, a city home to a rapidly expanding ecosystem, with Berlin only a 4-hour drive and London a 2-hour flight away. The accelerator provides a beautiful, highly professional and representative offices in a brand new building located in the heart of Prague, in Wenceslas Square. Offices are designed to provide an environment conducive to hard work, and to provoke creativity and inspiration - but also to impress potential employees, clients, investors, and partners.
The accelerator strives to be a great working and meeting place not only for our startups but also for the business community as a whole. It offers their event space named Agora (marketplace in Greek) to third parties for various business and technology seminars, workshops but also networking events. There is another large room that shall be used as a co-working space for professionals from the design, programming, PR, tax and legal worlds who can bring additional expertise and assistance to our teams.
Wayra CEE has top-notch mentors with global expertise and connections. It provides €40,000 funding, a cutting edge work space, a well structured acceleration program, and dedicated ground support. Apart from the usual perks, it also provides access to Telefónica's 300 million customers through its global network.
Nearly in its third year of operations, Wayra has a portfolio of 315 companies grouped in 20 digital industries. The total investment is around 43 million euros: 13 million contributed by Telefónica plus another 30 million in outside financing.
