Description
The U.S. Mission to Albania is seeking proposals for the StartUP Lab program, which aims to strengthen U.S.-Albania economic ties by transforming American Corners in Albania into entrepreneurship hubs. The program will provide a 12-month curriculum, direct mentorship from U.S. companies and experts, and a National StartUP Challenge that rewards the most promising ideas with seed funding. The project objectives include positioning American Corners as hubs for U.S. innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening U.S.-Albania economic ties and market access, and launching at least six market-ready National StartUP Challenge finalists.
• The program will serve as a city-based incubator hub for 20-25 entrepreneurs ages 18-40 who have concrete startup ideas ready for development.
• The program will provide one in-person workshop per month per Corner and one hybrid cross-Corner session per month to reinforce workshop learning.
• The program will connect participants with at least 10 U.S. business leaders, experts, and exchange alumni through structured mentorship and hybrid cross-Corner sessions.
• The program will launch at least six market-ready National StartUP Challenge finalists, with at least three receiving seed funding to launch businesses that prioritize U.S. technology and partnerships within one year of program completion.