Startup Exellence Club

Startup Excellence Club (SEC) is an exclusive club and a platform to explore the European startup market at an early stage of development. SEC operates as a closed initiative only for carefully selected Startuppers. We want to evaluate and support the most promising projects and match them with private capital and experience of the entrepreneurs involved.

SEC is targeted at technology start-ups selected on the basis of investors’ expectations and a detailed business, technological and personal verification of start-ups carried out by the programme organisers.

SEC is carried out under the guidance of recognized experts in acceleration and validation of startups (with years of experience in the organization of leading acceleration programs in CEE), experienced business angels, representatives of leading venture capital funds and trusted legal advisors, who take care of the formal side of the project and legal evaluation of startups.

Acceleration program aims to ensure that a young company and its employees are well organized and on the best path to success, and are equipped with the necessary knowledge and instruments. For startups SEC is not only a source of necessary knowledge, but also a new space for valuable contacts.The program is a chance to acquire the so-called smart capital. 

The selected start-ups underwent a two-month acceleration programme that involved experts from SHP, DZP, venture capital fund representatives, and external mentors. Workshop sessions were organised in the form of video conferences and meetings at DZP’s headquarters to allow investors to thoroughly familiarise themselves with the startups’ technology, product, and, most importantly, the team behind it.

The scope of the sessions was outlined in advance; however, based on the needs and identified challenges, individual acceleration „paths” were created for participants. For startups, SEC was not only a source of essential knowledge but also a new space for valuable networking and drawing on the experience of colleagues who had already succeeded. The programme provided a chance to make a significant leap in development and acquire so-called smart capital. Additionally, in the event of an actual investment, legal advisors offered representation and support on very preferential terms for startups securing financing.

DZP, Poland’s largest independent law firm, has a team of over 170 experts across nine practices and 40 specialisations. Regularly recognised in industry rankings, DZP values its close relationships with private clients. Through its project, DZP Future, the firm actively supports the Polish start-up market by advising both capital providers and founders, and connecting technology with investment. DZP engages in start-up development through acceleration programmes and hackathons. With SEC, DZP aims to offer clients access to reliable ventures, minimising risks in investments in young, fast-growing companies.