The 16 start-ups that successfully completed the 12th edition of the Fit 4 Start programme were officially graduated.

After a selection and pitching process that took place in the fall of 2021, 20 start-ups were selected from 214 applications from 42 countries. 

For this 12th edition, an additional category, focused on High Performance Computing (HPC) and data analysis, was added to the three traditional verticals (ICT, HealthTech and Space). Three of the selected startups were chosen in this category and were given a special programme, including  access to the computing and data analysis capabilities of the national supercomputer MeluXina. 

The XX start-ups that finally graduated at the end of this 12th edition received specialised support for six months, as well as €50,000 in funding each from the Ministry of the Economy. The companies that succeed in raising funds will be able to receive up to an additional €100,000 in state aid. 

"This new graduating class of start-ups is in line with the previous ones in terms of quality," says Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation. "The additional contribution of the HPC dimension and the enthusiasm of the candidates also showed how interesting this type of support is for start-ups. More than ever, they are key players in the development of our national ecosystem centered around data."

"The programme was very demanding for the entrepreneurs and many of them set the bar very high," adds Stefan Berend, Head of Start-up Acceleration at Luxinnovation. "The performance has been extraordinary and the passion for  their  products  very contagious. I am very confident  that  some of them will far exceed expectations, their traction will confirm this. This makes us all extremely proud: the entire Luxinnovation team, but also all stakeholders, including the jury, coaches, subject matter experts and partners."

Initiated in 2015 by the Ministry of the Economy, the Fit 4 Start acceleration programme is managed by Luxinnovation in collaboration with Technoport, Luxembourg City Incubator and the Luxembourg Space Agency.