The PortXL 2025 Acceleration Program has officially launched, and the first two weeks have been nothing short of dynamic and transformative. The cohort of nine ambitious startups has arrived in Rotterdam, ready to immerse themselves in the PortXL ecosystem. Their collective mission is clear: to accelerate their growth, refine their strategies, and forge meaningful business collaborations that will result in tangible solutions presented at the Grand Finale. The energy within the program is palpable as these innovative ventures embark on a journey to redefine the future of maritime, logistics, and energy sectors.
Fueling Growth
The initial first week has laid a foundation for the startups, providing them with an intensive program designed to equip them with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary for rapid scaling.
- Kick-off at the Maritime Museum: The program officially commenced at the iconic Maritime Museum, a fitting location that underscored the maritime heritage of Rotterdam and the innovative spirit driving the program.
- Expert-Led Trainings: The program emphasizes practical learning, offering a series of workshops and training sessions.
- Pitch Training by Frank Smallegange: Startups honed their ability to articulate their value proposition, learning to captivate audiences and effectively communicate their vision. This crucial training ensures they can compellingly present their innovations to potential investors and partners.
- Market Development Training (4 Modules) by Azwin Ressang & Sander van Geel from Fuel for Innovation: This in-depth training covered critical aspects of market analysis, strategy, and penetration. The four modules provided a structured approach to understanding market dynamics, identifying opportunities, and developing actionable plans for expansion.
- Mentor introductions and orientation: Our mentors gathered at Restaurant Courzand to meet our startups and evaluate their potential for providing support. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with anticipation as both mentors and startup founders engaged in initial introductions and discussions. This critical meeting served as a foundational step in understanding the unique needs and growth trajectories of each startup, allowing our mentors to gauge where their expertise and resources could be most effectively deployed to foster success.
- Action plan discussion with corporate partners: the partners and startups came together to build the roadmap for the collaborations ahead. These sessions are designed to move beyond introductions and into practical collaboration, and find the most suitable pilot project for both parties.
