Lab2Market

The programme is divided into three phases.

Phase 1 – Ideation: From research & ideas to start-up concepts

• Educate participants on the principles of start-ups and introduce them to tools and methodologies for start-up concepts.
• Develop ideas for pressing industry challenges across the value chain: from exploration, responsible mining and mineral processing to recycling, substitution and a transition to a circular economy.
• Form a ‘dream team’ of like-minded peers and identify clear roles and responsibilities. 

Phase 2 – Start-up Development: Accelerate the start-up concept

• Validate customer needs, market size and go-to-market strategy; identify regulations and other specific technical and market entry criteria.
• Validate the value proposition and complete the Business Model Canvas.
• Create a solid technical concept and a product roadmap.
• Complete a business plan and a team to support the next phase.

Phase 3 – Incubation: Launching a start-up

• Establish a start-up and register as a legal entity at the Chamber of Commerce and the Tax Authorities.
• Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
• Build a five-year financial forecast supporting/financing needs and strategy.
• Achieve first sales of products/services (could also be a pre-sale like a market test).

Key dates

• Deadline for applications Phase 1: 31 January 2024, 17:00 CET
• Selection of participants of Phase 1 and notification of decision:  by 15 February 2024
• Phase 1 – Ideation: February-May 2024
• Deadline for applications Phase 2: 16 April 2024, 17:00 CET
• Selection of participants of Phase 2 and notification of decision: late April 2024
• Phase 2 – Start-up Development: May-June 2024
• Pitching Competition: late June 2024
• Phase 3 – Incubation: July – December 2024

Who can apply?

Phase 1: Candidates for the EIT RawMaterials Lab2Market programme Phase 1 are only teams or individuals that belong to one of the following groups:

• Enrolled students from EIT RawMaterials Master’s programmes.
• Recent graduates from an EIT RawMaterials Master’s programme from 2021 or later.
• PhD students in engineering or/and science fields of raw materials from within Europe.
• Teams comprised at least one member from the student categories mentioned above.
• Individuals from the Business, Finance, Marketing, Technology, and Engineering academic sectors studying or completing their studies in a European university to form a team with at least one member from the categories above.

Phase 2: The call is eligible for candidates that meet the following criteria:

• Teams that finished and graduated from the EIT RawMaterials Lab2Market Phase 1.
• New teams with an innovative idea/solution and start-up concept, consisting of a minimum of two members. At least one member must be an enrolled, a recent graduate of the EIT RawMaterials Master’s programme, or a PhD student. At least one member must act as Entrepreneurial and Tech Lead:
  • The Entrepreneurial Lead is expected to work on the project full-time over the duration of the Lab2Market programme and must represent the team in Bootcamps and all core training sessions.
  • The Technical Lead is the principal investigator of the research project. This team member is expected to participate in select training sessions and assist the Entrepreneurial Lead throughout the programme.

Phase 3: Teams that have graduated from Phase 2 of the EIT RawMaterials Lab2Market programme are eligible to apply and participate in Phase 3.