This Startup Accelerator Just Opened Doors to $43K and Silicon Valley Know-How

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-04

After five successful programs, AceON Accelerator has already supported more than 100 startups from over 20 countries, helping founders turn early-stage ideas into companies ready for real growth. That's not just a number—it's a track record of founders who've gone from "what now?" to "we're ready." As a private, sector-agnostic accelerator founded by international advisory and BPO corporation Accace, along with venture capital fund ZAKA VC—which invests mainly in startups across the US and European markets—AceON combines business expertise, investor perspective, and global startup experience into one program. ### What Founders Actually Learn Having a great product idea is only the beginning. The biggest challenge is figuring out what comes next. How do you validate your business model? Which metrics really matter? When's the right time to approach investors? And how do you convince them your startup is worth funding? AceON is built around answering those exact questions. The program brings in experienced speakers and mentors, including its co-founders. One of the standout sessions, focused on building a pre-seed pitch deck that actually raises money, is led by Ján Kasper, co-founder and Managing Partner at ZAKA VC. Kasper's fund has invested in nearly 100 startups, mainly across the US and Europe, with offices in Silicon Valley, London, Prague, and Bratislava. Beyond investing, he's a serial entrepreneur who's built and scaled more than 50 companies with combined annual revenue exceeding $760 million. That's the kind of experience you can't fake. His co-founder, Peter Pašek, Managing Director and Partner at Accace Slovakia and Head of FinTech at Accace Group, brings a different lens. He's spent years advising companies across industries, and he believes the accelerator gives participants knowledge and connections they'll use long after the program ends to build stronger companies. ### Real-World Expertise, Not Just Theory AceON gets that founders need practical insights from people who've faced real business challenges themselves—not just textbook advice. That's why the accelerator works with partners who bring hands-on expertise straight into the program. Strategic partners like Labyrinth Labs, PERSONALITY Group, and MERCURTEC cover everything from scalable infrastructure to leadership, talent development, and business growth. Adam Hamšík, Co-founder & CEO of Labyrinth Labs, puts it simply: > "Focus on your product, your customers, and your growing team. Don't let infrastructure become a distraction from what you're actually trying to build. At Labyrinth Labs, we help startups and scaleups set the right foundations early on, from cloud-native architecture to making the most of AWS funding, so they can grow into platforms that scale with them." That mix of investor perspective, entrepreneurial experience, and industry know-how gives AceON participants a real edge: learning from people who've already built and scaled. ### What's In It for You The sixth edition of AceON Accelerator is designed for idea and pre-seed stage startups led by founders who want to build scalable companies and get ready for fundraising. The program is fully online and free, tailored for startups across Europe, offering practical knowledge, expert mentoring, and direct insights into the venture capital ecosystem. Here's what selected startups get: - Investor-led lectures that break down how funding actually works - Mentoring sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and investors - Guidance on the metrics that matter for growth - A shot at $43,000 in investment at the finale At the end of the program, AceON will invest $43,000 into one selected startup, announced during the Demo Day finale event. That's not just a check—it's validation that your idea has legs. ### How to Apply If you're an early-stage founder ready to take your startup to the next level, this could be your chance. Applications are open until September 3, 2026. Head over to the AceON website to apply and see if your startup is the next success story. The program has already helped over 100 startups from more than 20 countries. The question is: will yours be next?