TINC - Accelerator Program
are you ready to validate your business for global scale?
TINC - Accelerator for Nordic Tech Startups
”It’s a truly mindblowing experience to be part of the TINC big way of life in Silicon Valley. We recommend every startup with ambitions to apply for the program.”
Are you a Nordic technology company looking to scale globally?
TINC is an intensive 5-week hybrid accelerator program run by Innovation Norway Silicon Valley in partnership with Vinnova, Business Finland and KLAK Icelandic Startups. The program is focused on validating your product/market and business model fit and global scale potential in the most competitive startup environment in the world.
We bring the Silicon Valley mindset to you!
We have an established track record of success, having run 26 TINC accelerator programs with 245 Nordic technology companies to date. We bring together the best of the best with promising Nordic start-ups and world class mentors from Silicon Valley from the likes of venture capital, marketing and sales experts and thought leaders who will challenge you, open your mind and empower you to take our company to the next level. You will also meet like-minded Nordic founders sharing their Silicon Valley experience.
Hear what our companies are saying about TINC Silicon Valley
”Adopting the Silicon Valley Mindset was a game changer for how to build a startup” - Convier
“It has been a perfect program for understanding the US market both in terms of customer, sales, and potential investors. Great mentors and people around and in the program have resulted in a great learning experience and what I think is a better mindset for our scaling plan.” - OmniMod
“The TINC program was tremendously valuable for Merkely. During the workshops and mentor sessions we quickly learned the skills and approaches needed to take our company to the next level internationally. I would highly recommend the TINC program to aspiring Nordic startups!”, Mike Long, CEO, Kosli (formerly Merkely)
Read the article about TINC and companies from the TINC Fall 2023 cohort here (in Norwegian)
Contact: Ase Pettersen Bailey, Program Director TINC, Innovation Norway Silicon Valley
Partners
application for tinc SPRING 2025 is now OPEN!
Dates for the TINC Spring 2025 program:
Applications open from December 5, 2024 to February 15, 2025
Interviews from February 15
In-person kick-off in Oslo - April 2 and 3
Virtual program – April 22 - May 16
In-Person Week in Silicon Valley – May 19 - 23
Demo Day - May 21
Optional week in Silicon Valley – May 26- 30
What does the TINC program offer?
Workshops and pitch training - Get the chance to work through the challenges your start-up is facing with others. Learn how to rig your business for long-term rapid growth. You will receive help in validating your technology and business model in this highly competitive market. Practice your skills in pitching your business-ideas to peers and venture capitalists alike.
Mentoring - You will meet weekly with our top mentors, and advisors from Silicon Valley. During both group and individual sessions our advisors and mentors share their knowledge to help your start-up accelerate and grow.
Build your networks in Silicon Valley - Our team will assist you in making connections in the business ecosystem of Silicon Valley. This is the most innovative tech region in the world, and the center of the global tech industry, world class universities and the greatest concentration of venture capital in the world.
See the outline of the 5-week TINC program based on previous programs here.
“TINC was a catalyst for us making the right choices regarding market, users and what needed to be created to make this something that could really take off.”
- Johan Brand, Co-Founder, Kahoot!
TINC FAQ
Who is TINC for?
Your start-up is a good fit for TINC if most of these descriptions fit you:
Nordic technology startups with global potential and ambitions
Strong entrepreneur team with the skills to succeed. Driven, open to learn, humble and able to execute
High potential and scalable business
Desire to engage the Silicon Valley mindset, to learn and to build valuable relationships
Founding and/or C-level teams. We recommend two people from each company
What is the right timing for TINC?
Your start-up is ready for TINC if most of these descriptions fit you:
You have momentum and traction in your local market
You have a product to work with. (Min. MVP or prototype)
Your company has the basic financing in place and is in a sound situation where you are able to validate and follow up from the program
You have the possibility to focus on the program for supercharging your business and preparing yourself and your company for long-term sustainable growth.
What should you expect?
Validate your product market fit, business model and global scale potential
Accelerate your growth while reducing risk, time and cost to market
Focus on storytelling and pitching your value proposition
Mentoring from world-class mentors
Expand your perspective by being challenged on everything
Learn how to attract customers, partners and investors
Strengthen your network and build valuable relationships
Main takeaways from our alumni
“It has been 5 rewarding weeks of hard work on evenings and weekends with refining our business model and learning about the venture capital scene in San Francisco.”
“It's been an amazing experience on all counts, and we've received excellent coaching, tons of new ideas, and very valuable feedback on our product, business model, and go-to-market.”
“We have met so many cool startups, knowledgeable mentors, and exciting potential partners, customers, and investors.”
“Fantastic mentors and valuable sessions with the opportunity to dig into individual challenges/opportunities.”
“Efficient way to evaluate our business and decide the best way to scale inclusive GTM and fundraising.”
“Really good focus on execution, actionable and tangible suggestions for how to scale your business.”
“Great team behind TINC”
“MBA on speed”
“Silicon Valley is a great place where mentors and friends of TINC will engage you as an early company and try to help and give ideas and even advice. It's your job, as founders, to figure out what advice to implement. Only you know your team, your customers, your business.”
- Scott Barclay, Managing Director Healthcare, Insight Partners, TINC mentor since 2013
“We got a complete work-through of all parts of our company: Strategy, product-market-fit, go-to-market, funding. We're a fundamentally better company after these very intense 6 weeks!" - Truid
“This is a crash course on how to build a business, where you touch upon many important topics and learn from the best in Silicon Valley. Highly recommend everyone to apply to TINC” - Bsure
“We are really happy that we got the chance to join the program, its been a great time with a lot of new perspective and great people” - Duoo