Question 1

How does the ASA Traction Program differ from the Pre-Acceleration Program?

Accepted Answer

Our Pre-Acceleration Program works with prototype and MVP stage companies, guiding them through idea validation, customer development, go-to-market strategy development, and pitching. We designed the Traction Program for companies that have already launched products with notable traction. The goal is to increase said traction with intensive mentorship focused on elevating growth hacking, sales, and fundraising.

Question 2

Is the Traction Program open to ASA Pre-Acceleration Program alumni?

Accepted Answer

As the Pre-Acceleration Program is the predecessor of the ASA Pre-Acceleration Program, graduates of the former are more than welcome to apply given they fit the program criteria.

Question 3

What resources and opportunities will be provided during the program?

Accepted Answer

Selected teams will have access to the wide network of experienced domain professionals from Armenia Startup Academy community located in Armenia and abroad. The teams will be able to take advantage of our cloud infrastructure and service partnerships benefits.

Question 4

Who are the mentors involved in the Traction Program?

Accepted Answer

ASA Traction Program mentors are carefully selected, high-profile professionals and industry experts passionate about improving startups. We look for specialists experienced in B2B sales to Fortune 500 companies, growth hacking for scaled companies, strategic email marketing and sales, etc.

Question 5

What is the duration of the program?

Accepted Answer

The ASA Traction Program comprises 10 mentorship weeks followed by a Demo Day.

Question 6

Is the Traction Program held in-house or remotely?

Accepted Answer

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the Traction Program has adopted a hybrid format. 1:1 mentor meetings occur online, while meetups take place in-person with a fully remote option.

Question 7

Where is the Armenia Startup Academy located?

Accepted Answer

The Armenia Startup Academy is based out of Hero House, a tech and entrepreneurship hub in the center of Yerevan.

Question 8

Does the Traction Program accept international startups?

Accepted Answer

The Armenia Startup Academy highly encourages participation from international startups.

Question 9

What is the tuition fee for startups enrolled in the Traction Program?

Accepted Answer

Participation in the Traction Program is free of charge. It is our goal to provide promising ideas backed by competent and dedicated teams with the resources for success!

Question 10

Do you request compensation from startups in the form of equity?

Accepted Answer

We currently do not ask equity of Traction Program participants; this is subject to change for upcoming batches.

Question 11

Do you invest in the participating companies following Traction Program completion?

Accepted Answer

While we don’t personally invest, the ASA strives to connect participants with investors and funding opportunities.

Armenia Startup Academy

A Catalyst Foundation Project

Armenia Startup Academy Traction Program Batch 2

About the Program

Support in growth hacking strategy development Implementation of growth hacks in initial expansion stages Access to international expertise

Sales Enablement

Support in sales strategy development

Sales plan for target markets

Access to industry-specific sales practices

Fundraising

Need assessment and milestone planning

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Support in fundraising strategy development

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Involvement of well-connected experts and mentors

Program Components

Each company will have an individual development program tailored to its needs, including weekly meetings with experts to work on the following components:

Growth Hacking

Who can apply?

We are looking for startups that:

– Managed to gain early traction (revenue/user base/launched product) – Have raised a minimum of $20k funding in the form of grants, angel, VC financing, or bootstrapping* – Previously graduated from an incubation/pre-acceleration program*

*not mandatory, but preferable

Selection Criteria

Team members’ track records

Scalability potential

Traction of the startup

30%

20%

30%

Complementarity of the team composition

20%

Timeline

Sep 18 Application deadline

Aug 26 Application opening

Sep 9 Info session

Sep 20 - 30 Interviews

Oct 4 - Dec 26 Program

Oct 1 Selection results deadline

Jan 25 Demo Day

EU Seed Stage Grant

up to

50K

For up to 4 top-performing startups Selection to be made on weeks 5-6

Batch 1 Overview

170+

9 startups

€3M+

100+

Tanya Kandralyan

Dork Alahydoian

Shahan Khoshafian

Alec Beglarian

Narine Kotikyan

Batch 1 Mentors

Paul Nadjarian

Hamlet Azarian

Zaré Baghdasarian

Armenia Startup Academy Traction Program
Batch 2

About
the Program

Support in growth hacking strategy development

Implementation of growth hacks in initial expansion stages

Access to international expertise

Need assessment and
milestone planning

Support in fundraising
strategy development

– Managed to gain early traction (revenue/user base/launched product)

– Have raised a minimum of $20k funding in the form of grants,
angel, VC financing, or bootstrapping*

– Previously graduated from an incubation/pre-acceleration program*

Sep 18
Application deadline

Aug 26
Application opening

Sep 9
Info session

Sep 20 - 30
Interviews

Oct 4 - Dec 26
Program

Oct 1
Selection results deadline

Jan 25
Demo Day

For up to 4 top-performing startups
Selection to be made on weeks 5-6