FAQ

What is NextLap – Accelerator?

Nextlap is an Acceleration Program for innovative products/product ideas that use end-of-life tyres or tyre materials. Through the program, Innovators will accelerate the journey of turning their ideas into scalable businesses, through access to industry and technical mentors as well as training.

NextLap is a program on Circular Economy, looking for innovators, startups, and companies that want to create, develop and test new and existing solutions using recycled tyre derived materials such as Rubber, Textile, and Steel. The ultimate purpose is to give a new life to tyres in their end-of-life cycle.

Why apply? What is in it for innovators?

• Access to industry & commercial partners to guide product development, validate your market and connect you to other value chain stakeholders that can accelerate your project – go big faster.
• Techincal Advice and knowledge regarding the ELT industry and process as well as resources (such as raw materials providede by Genan)
• Training & support to turn products and product ideas into viable businesses
• 5.000 Euro prize to the product or product idea voted by the Partners as the highest potential one, at the end of the 2 day Bootcamp;
• Selected projects will have the chance to pitch to the largest tyre recycler worldwide (after acceleration)
• Global visibility: be part of a project that gathered global awareness in the previous edition
• Become part of a movement looking for solutions for a full circular future – network and learn from other innovators and industry stakeholders

Who Can Apply?

Innovators or innovator teams with a scalable product or product idea (that uses ELT materials) and the entrepreneurial ambition to bring it to life.

We accept teams of individuals (still not organized as companies, but with entrepreneurial ambition), startups, and established companies. If you have a product idea or product in development, we can help you validate your assumptions.

How can I apply

Fill out the form in the Application button on this website.

What are the eligible solutions to apply? How mature should my project be for the program to bring value to me?

Any products that find new ways of reusing the tyre: whole, shredded, or components are eligible.

Also, solutions that use end-of-life tyre components: Rubber Granulate and Powder, Textile and Steel. This program is valuable from projects in the idea stage up to minimum viable products with early customers – the direct access to our industry partners can make your projects grow exponentially!

If my project is selected, what are the next steps?

You’ll be invited for an intensive 2 day Bootcamp on the 29 and 30 of June where you will work intensively with Beta-i’s team and the program mentors to fast-track your idea or startup and prepare you for an acceleration program focused on developing your business model and prototype:

• Focus on understanding deeply the problem that you want to address and get familiar with methodologies that will let you build the right narrative for the project you will be working on.
• Validate your idea, by discovering segments of customers who will actually use the product or service.
• Build your prototype and start testing it with users and discovering what has to be improved.

In what language will the program be conducted?

Since NextLap is aiming for worldwide applications, the program will be conducted in English.

What is the cost of participating?

Participating in NextLap is free of charge. We are proud to carefully select our participants, focusing on their innovative solutions and solid teams.

Does the program take equity?

No.

Whose is the IP of the Accelerated projects?

The IP of accelerated projects belongs to innovators.

Will we be meeting face to face throughout the program?

The application, Bootcamp, and Acceleration are fully digital. By the end of the Program, we will hold an in-person Demo Day where innovators will have the opportunity to pitch their developments.