
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME


We’re launching the second edition of HabiSmart!
Building on its success, with great benefits for all participants, HabiSmart is back with a 2023-24 edition.
- A unique accelerator for the growth of startups that develop innovative solutions or services for the real estate sector
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The selected startups in the pre-seed and seed phase will receive an initial investment of €115K
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4-month acceleration programme, with constant support throughout all stages of the journey from the accelerator’s partners, in a process that will help them identify and consolidate their business models
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The best startups will have access to additional investments, potential collaborations and projects with the program promoters and corporate partners.
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10 startups selected every year for 3 years
HOW YOU FIT
We are looking for early-stage startups with solutions and technologies that enable breakthroughs in the PropTech Sector.
YOUR SOLUTIONS ARE FROM
PropTech & Sustainable Buildings

Property/ Facility Management

PropFintech

Logistics

Smart City

CleanTech

Energy Management

Digital Twin / 3D&AR
YOUR BENEFITS
We are here to grow together.
HabiSmart provides the selected startups with 6 pillars.

First Investment
€115K combination of cash and services

Follow On
Up to €300K cash for selected graduates of the Program

Market Access
Strategic deep dive round table with Program Partners (e.g., POC, Project Milestones)

Guidance
E2E support on product, business, investment, mentors, and more

Perks
10+ Additional services sponsored by Program Partners

Facilities
20+ workstations in the heart of Milan
TIMELINE 2023-24
Open Call - May 2023
Briefing
Collecting the key business/innovation challenges from the vertical Promoters and Corporate Partners
Bootcamp - September 2023
Scouting & Selection
- Seeking out +200 /year Italian & international startups
- Inviting the best 30-40 startups to the Bootcamps, our 4 live events in Milan with the opportunity to meet our team and our Partners
- Choosing the best 13-15 startups based on potential & investment fit, to enter the Discovery phase
Acceleration
Discovery
Product/Market definition / fit, Testing, Business Model, MVP First Traction, Pricing / ~8 weeksSelection Day - 15.11.2023
Investing €115k /startup in 8-10 startups
Acceleration
Validation
Validation metrics KPI, Team & Business Model. Complete Business Plan and Final Pitch Preparation Demo Day/ ~10 weeksDemo Day - 15.02.2024
Fundraising
Investment booster
Supporting the growth of the best ~3 startups with pre-committed investments of (at least) € 150k /startup and deal structuring /strategic advisoryFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This Programme is powered by CDP, Digital Magics, and MassChallenge Switzerland.
Our programme is designed for early-stage innovative startups and we broadly define as those who have received less than €2M equity investments and have less than €2M of revenues. If your startup has financials which are over this general scope, please let us know on your application form and we will consider this in a case by case basis.
MassChallenge is managing the application process for HabiSmart.
- You should click on this link and create an account;
- Go to My Companies on the left tab;
- Create a new startup;
- Click Apply Now to the HabiSmart programme;
- Proceed with the application form.
All early-stage startups who have developed at least an MVP and have some initial market traction in one of the key sectors of interest of PropTech and Sustainable Buildings. (sectors and early stage definitions can be found in this landing page ) You can apply even if you have not yet established your company, provided that you commit to establish a company in Italy within 2 months of joining the programme.
All startups must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1. At least one Italian founder 2. The company is registered in Italy 3. You are willing to incorporate an Italian subsidiary.
Yes, we will invest in the 10 startups that enter the programme’s final phase. A first investment will be made immediately after the selection that opens the Validation phase, including the provision of acceleration services during the programme and a cash investment of €115K. As a consideration for the investment, the programme will acquire up to 10% of the share capital of the start-ups.
Furthermore, HabiSmart is a unique programme where investment accelerates as you accelerate: the programme can make an additional cash investment of no more than €300K in the programme's startups following Investor Day, selected by the programme's team, bringing the total potential investment to up to €415K. Acceleration, based on the KPIs / tractions achieved by the individual startups during the programme.
At least 5 experts will read your application after June 07 closing date. In July, MassChallenge will contact you with the judges’ feedback and round 1 outcome. Successful startups will then be invited to a 1-day boot camp in Milan between September 05 and 26. The final startups are invited to participate in a Demo Day selection event on November 15 in Milan. Selected startups will then be invited to the accelerator starting November 20.
Contact MassChallenge Switzerland per email: switzerland@masschallenge.org
The programme’s activities are organised to engage the founders a little more than one day a week, with a more intense phase in the first half and extended after that. The teams will also have access to co-working stations in Milan at the partners’ offices for the duration of the programme.
Absolutely. Our involvement can be even more critical at this stage, accelerating the business development of your startup. During the programme, you will have the opportunity to get in touch and explore commercial or industrial opportunities with the programme's corporate partners.
Yes, the startups invited to attend the Selection Day will receive the contractual terms (term sheet and, subsequently, investment agreement) which govern the terms and conditions of their participation in the Programme, the subscription of which is a prerequisite for accessing the acceleration programme and be qualified as a participating startup. Before the Selection Day, signing the contracts or the essential elements of the same is a requirement to participate in the event.
We will be assessing the following: the innovation and originality of the idea or approach proposed, the skills (heterogeneous and complementary) of the team, the potential and size of the target market, the presentation and the presentation skills of the product/service as well as the business model.
The programme includes meetings (both one-to-one and one-to-many) between the selected startups and the programme's partners to create an opportunity to discuss the innovation needs and the solutions proposed by the startups.
No. However, we believe it is essential to actively participate in the development of the startup for approximately six months after Demo Day. Therefore, we ask for the presence of an observer on the board of directors. If and when HabiSmart completes a further investment, the possibility of appointing a board member is reserved as a right.
Yes. In addition to investing €115K in the programme’s top performers, HabiSmart reserved the right to invest additional resources in all participating startups.