JA StartUp

Implementation Process

For 13 weeks, the participating students form teams (3-5 members) and follow step by step all the necessary points, in order to present at the end of the programme a complete business idea.

Student teams can participate in the JA StartUp programme in the following ways:

1. In the context of a university course and the consent of their responsible professor.
2. As an independent team, having the support of the JA Cyprus Network (Team, Companies – Members, Mentors).

Educational Material

For all the basic topics there is rich educational material on the programme’s online platform, while in selected topics, experts provide additional ideas and knowledge through webinars. In addition, experienced professionals provide ongoing guidance and support, acting as mentors.

Topics that are covered during the programme, include the following:

1. Brainstorming ideas
2. Market Research
3. Formation of the Business Team
4. Development of a Business Model
5. Development of a Prototype
6. Financial Research
7. Development of a Business Plan
8. Branding – Go to Market
9. Intellectual Property
10. Pitch and Presentations

Milestones

Key milestones in the implementation of the programme are the following, that all teams participating are required to submit:

1. Business Idea (description of the idea – one paragraph)
2. Commercial Video (up to 60 seconds) with the description of the business idea for participation in the Online Voting
3. Business Plan (on a specific template)

From the teams participating in the programme, six (6) teams advance to the final phase, i.e. the National Competition, which is taking place on the 14^st of March 2025. Five (5) teams are selected by a Jury Committee based on their commercial video and business plan. One (1) team gets the ticket directly for the final through the Online Voting Challenge.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation is aligned with the evaluation process followed at the European level by JA Europe and includes criteria such as:

• Completeness and clarity of the entrepreneurial idea and strategy
• Social impact of the idea
• Knowledge/understanding of the target market
• Attractiveness of investment
• Analysis of competition, marketing and promotion
• Timeframes for the development of the business
• Degree of innovation and competitive advantage
• Existence of quality and prototype operation
• Complementarity, collaborative spirit and professionalism of the team
• Skills of presentation and support of the idea.

Online Voting Challenge

The Online Voting Challenge is included in the innovative elements of the programme and is the opportunity for the public to choose the team that will go directly to the final phase, participating in the National Competition without going through an evaluation process by the Jury Committee.

The challenge also brings the JA StartUp Programme training as close as possible to the real market conditions. It offers participating teams an opportunity to engage in Marketing & Communication processes that highlight their Branding skills. The purpose of each team is to be able to communicate the value of their business idea through a short video, in order to inform and engage the audience to which it will be displayed.

Implementation Timeline

The programme takes place along with the Spring Semester while the important dates are:

• Deadline for Registrations: 30^th of October 2024
• Programme Commencement: 1^th of November 2024
• Submission of Business Idea: 15^th of November 2024
• Submission of Short Video: 15^th of January 2025
• Start of the Online Voting Challenge: 15^th of January 2025
• End of the Online Voting Challenge: 05^th of February 2025
• Submission of Business Plan: 15^th of February 2025
• National Competition (6 teams): 14^st of March 2025
• European Competition (winner team of the National Competition):  01^th – 03^th of July 2025

Benefits

• Access to the programme’s online platform with rich educational material that covers contemporary topics of entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Ability to attend webinars on specialized topics by experts.
• Continuous support and guidance from experienced professionals acting as mentors.
• Joining the large family of Junior Achievement and accessing a multitude of learning and information opportunities.
• Many networking opportunities with students of similar interests, academics, and various professionals.
• Prizes for the three (3) top teams of the National Competition (worth €3000+ for the 1^st team, €2000 for the 2^nd team, and €1000 for the 3^rd team).
• Participation of the winning team of the National Competition at Europe’s Largest Entrepreneurship Event, Gen-E.