Kolba supports activists, entrepreneurs and change-makers within government in Armenia who have a good understanding of societal problems and feel passionate about solving them.

We evaluate not only the idea but also the people behind it.  The simple reason for this is that Kolba Lab is about a community of people.

We work with troublemakers through several incubation cycles each year.  Take a look at our challenges page for details.

 

Is that you?

If you fit the bill, we will help you create a venture that is financially viable and connected to a network of freethinkers in Armenia and beyond.

You will join one of ten teams of highly energized individuals and enter our upcoming social startup incubation programme.  We will help develop your ideas into services or projects and launch them into society.

Teams that make it into our incubation programme will receive:

  • Access to our design workshops;
  • Support from mentors and specialists;
  • Fundraising to help your venture reach scale and sustainability.

The incubation programme will give you the necessary tools, guidance and support to test your ideas and create an efficient social venture.

Teams will also be expected to give back.  As you develop your venture we expect you to share data, designs, code, products, services, knowledge and infrastructure for the benefit of the wider community.

How to apply and what happens next?

  • You can respond to one of our challenges, share your idea on our social media pages or attend one of our outreach workshops;
  • We pick the best ideas and try to build teams from the different applicants;
  • Your team then joins us for a two-day intense design workshop where you build a prototype of your idea;
  • If your prototype works during testing you get access to our network of mentors and advisors to help you further develop your venture;
  • We then make a grant investment and help you with additional fundraising;
  • You share news of your venture online and connect with experts across the world.

Criteria for selection?

  • Clear understanding of the problem you plan to solve;
  • Strong proposal for how you will achieve your goal;
  • Ability to mobilise resources from within your community;
  • Willingness to operate under a creative commons license and contribute to the Kolba network.

How do you benefit?

  • Knowledge, skills and experience of leadership;
  • Access to a network of mentors, coaches and other change-makers;
  • Access to social investment finance.

Still interested? Get involved!