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Startup Pathfinder

Understand your customers, test your solution and work towards your first or more consistent sales.

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Is Startup Pathfinder right for you?

Startup Pathfinder is for founders and startup teams in Albania with a defined idea, prototype or early product who are still testing customer demand. Solo founders and teams without a registered company are welcome.

What you will work on

  • Understand your customers and the problem you want to solve.
  • Test your solution with potential customers and learn from their feedback.
  • Refine your value proposition and business model.
  • Plan practical steps towards your first or more consistent sales.
How the programme works

  • Self-paced learning with practical tasks applied to your venture.
  • Monthly group coaching and peer sessions.
  • About 3–4 hours of participation each week.
  • Programme runs from December to May.
  • Free participation. No equity taken.

Main application window: 1 October–15 November 2026. 

Later applications may be considered if places and coaching capacity remain and you can complete the programme by May 2027

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Your Pathfinder learning journey

Work through self-paced materials and practical tasks to understand your customers, test your solution and strengthen your business model. Apply what you learn to your venture and review your progress through monthly group coaching and peer sessions.

1. Clarify your priorities
Identify key assumptions and agree your learning priorities.
2. Understand your customers
Gather evidence about customer needs through conversations.
3. Test your solution
Test your idea or prototype and review customer feedback.
4. Refine your business model
Review your value proposition, pricing, costs and routes to customers.
5. Work towards sales
Test your offer and take practical steps towards first or more consistent sales.
6. Review and plan ahead
Review the evidence gathered and prepare your next-stage action plan.
Month 1
Month 2
Month 3
Month 4
Month 5
Month 6

This suggested schedule provides a monthly focus for your self-paced work. Activities may overlap, and you can revisit earlier steps as you learn. Use monthly group coaching and peer sessions to review your progress and decide what to work on next. Selected best-performing teams may pitch at Demo Day in June 2027,

Support for your progress

Practical learning, group coaching and shared experience to help you move your venture forward.

Self-paced learning

Work through course materials and practical tasks at your own pace. Apply what you learn directly to your venture.

Monthly group coaching

Discuss your challenges, review your progress and identify practical next steps during group coaching sessions.

Peer learning

Exchange feedback, share experiences and learn from other founders as you work on your ventures.

Who should apply?

We welcome founders and startup teams from any sector. Solo founders and teams without a registered company can apply.

1. Preferably in Albania

Your venture or startup team is based preferably in Albania.

2. A defined starting point

You have a defined idea, prototype or early product and are still testing customer demand.

3. Decision-making role

Participation is led by a founder or authorised team member who can implement business decisions.

4. Time to participate

You can commit about 3–4 hours a week to learning, practical tasks, group coaching and peer sessions.

5. Ready to learn and test

You are willing to speak with customers, test your assumptions and use feedback to improve your venture.

6. Comfortable in english:

You can follow course materials and participate in group discussions in English.