Mrieħel edtech accelerator sees 42% increase in applications for second cohort

SuperCharger Ventures Malta, an educational technology (edtech) start-up accelerator based in Mrieħel, has received 217 applications from over 40 countries to join its second cohort, a 42 per cent increase over the first intake.

Patrick Hulsen, managing director of SuperCharger Ventures Malta, tells BusinessNow.mt that the last few weeks have been “super busy” with the team conducting over 40 hours of interviews in a bid to trim the number of applicants down to a more manageable number.

These final few will then be presented to Malta Enterprise, which is partnering SuperCharger Ventures by providing assistance and incentives to the selected applicants, for a final choice.

The selected cohort will then take part in a 12-week accelerator programme starting in May.

SuperCharger Ventures has a contract with Malta Enterprise that will see 150 EdTech companies brought to the islands, having already run successful online accelerator programmes through London and Singapore.

“The scale of the opportunity here in Malta led us to develop our first physical accelerator, a 300sqm space that is welcoming cohorts of start-up founders and giving them the chance to see what the country brings to the table,” says Mr Hulsen. “So far, the results are very promising, with just over a third of the late-2023 cohort already starting the incorporation process.”

Successful ventures are eligible to have their salaries covered, expenses reimbursed, and obtain access to funding and soft loans.

Earlier this month, Leemons, which formed part of the last cohort, managed to raise €1.5 million in capital, with its co-founder describing the Malta-based accelerator as “very enriching”, providing “international experience and learnings.”