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Next Commerce Accelerator

Pre-seed startup accelerator and investment fund driven by a strong passion for guiding startups to success
Next Commerce Accelerator
Leadership team

David Chang (CEO)

Roger Chen (COO)

Suneet Chawla (CTO)

Adam Mercer  (CIO)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Established
2018
Social Media
Summary

Next Commerce Accelerator is a comprehensive program designed to help early-stage B2B commerce companies scale their businesses. The program provides a suite of services, including access to a network of industry experts, workshops, mentoring, and resources to help founders develop their companies. It also offers a range of hands-on events and activities, such as pitch competitions, networking, and one-on-one meetings with established companies and investors. 

The program is designed to help founders understand the complexities of B2B commerce, build partnerships, develop strategies, and access capital. Through the program, founders can gain the expertise, resources, and connections needed to succeed in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

History

Next Commerce Accelerator is a program designed to provide early-stage entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise to scale their e-commerce businesses. The program was founded in 2018 by the Amsterdam-based venture capital firm Peak Capital and the e-commerce consultancy firm Upgrade Commerce.

The main goal of NCA is to support and promote innovation in the e-commerce and retail industries by investing in and providing resources to promising startups. To achieve this goal, NCA offers a comprehensive accelerator program that helps startups develop their products, refine their business models, and prepare for investment and growth.

The program offers entrepreneurs access to a range of services, from hands-on mentorship to access to key resources such as data, technologies and analytics. It also provides entrepreneurs with access to a wide network of experts and partners, including investors, corporates and other industry players.

The program has so far supported more than 60 e-commerce startups, with over €12 million in investments. In 2019, the program was extended to include a new office in Berlin, Germany. In 2020, the program was further extended to include a new office in Tel Aviv, Israel. The program has also seen the launch of two funds, the Next Commerce Fund I and Next Commerce Fund II, which provide seed capital to participating startups.

The program also provides entrepreneurs with access to a wide range of educational materials, including workshops, webinars, and online courses. This helps entrepreneurs develop the skills needed to launch and scale their businesses. The accelerator also offers mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, as well as connections to potential customers. Finally, the program provides access to a network of global partners, allowing startups to tap into new markets and customers.

One of the key aspects of NCA's approach is its focus on challenging product ideas and market readiness. NCA believes that startups must have a clear understanding of their target market and a strong product-market fit to succeed. As such, NCA works closely with startups to refine their products and strategies, ensuring that they are well-positioned to succeed in the market.

In addition to its accelerator program, NCA also sources and screens the best startups in the e-commerce and retail industries, and invests in meaningful business models. NCA's investment approach is focused on identifying startups with strong growth potential and supporting them through their early stages of development.

Overall, NCA is committed to promoting innovation and growth in the e-commerce and retail industries by identifying, investing in, and supporting promising startups. The accelerator's comprehensive program, industry expertise, and investment approach have made it a leading player in the European startup ecosystem.

Investment criteria

Next Commerce Accelerator (NCA) focuses on investing in innovative startups in the e-commerce and retail industries. NCA looks for startups that have the potential to disrupt traditional models in these industries, and that are committed to creating value for their customers. NCA's investment criteria include:

  • Innovative business models: NCA invests in startups that have innovative and disruptive business models that have the potential to transform the e-commerce and retail industries.
  • Strong team: NCA looks for startups with strong and experienced teams that have a deep understanding of their target market and the challenges they are trying to solve.
  • Scalable solutions: NCA invests in startups that have solutions that can scale rapidly and have the potential to capture a significant market share.
  • Market potential: NCA looks for startups that are targeting large and growing markets, and that have a clear understanding of their customers' needs.
  • Traction: NCA prefers to invest in startups that have already achieved some level of traction in the market, either through revenue, partnerships, or user adoption.
  • Fundraising potential: NCA invests in startups that have the potential to attract additional funding from other investors, and that has a clear plan for future fundraising.

Overall, NCA is looking for startups that have the potential to transform the e-commerce and retail industries and that are committed to creating value for their customers. By focusing on innovative business models, strong teams, scalable solutions, market potential, traction, and fundraising potential, NCA can identify and invest in the most promising startups in these industries.

Values

Next Commerce Accelerator (NCA) is committed to supporting innovative startups in the e-commerce and retail industries that are dedicated to creating value for their customers. NCA's values include:

  • Innovation: NCA values startups that are committed to innovation and creating new solutions that can transform the e-commerce and retail industries.
  • Customer-centricity: NCA believes that startups that prioritize their customer's needs and deliver value to them are more likely to succeed in the long term.
  • Collaboration: NCA works closely with startups, providing them with mentorship, guidance, and access to a network of industry experts and partners. NCA values collaboration and believes that by working together, startups can achieve greater success.
  • Agility: NCA understands the importance of agility and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. NCA values startups that are nimble and can quickly pivot when necessary.
  • Transparency: NCA is committed to transparency and building trust with its portfolio companies. NCA values startups that are open and transparent in their communication and operations.
Mission

NCA's mission is to help these companies achieve success by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and expertise needed to grow and scale their businesses.

NCA's mission is based on the belief that e-commerce and retail are constantly evolving, and that the companies that succeed are those that can innovate and adapt to changing market conditions. NCA is committed to identifying startups that are creating new solutions and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the e-commerce and retail industries.

NCA's mission is also centred around providing startups with access to a network of industry experts, mentors, and partners. By leveraging this network, startups can gain insights and guidance that can help them overcome challenges and accelerate their growth.

Portfolio

Next Commerce Accelerator (NCA) has a diverse portfolio of startups that are working to transform the e-commerce and retail industries. Here are a few examples:

  • e-bot7: e-bot7 is an AI-powered customer service chatbot that helps companies automate their customer support processes. The chatbot uses natural language processing to understand customer inquiries and provide accurate responses, freeing up customer service agents to handle more complex issues.
  • Moteefe: Moteefe is a platform that enables entrepreneurs and influencers to create and sell custom merchandise, such as t-shirts and hoodies, through social media channels. The platform handles the production, shipping, and customer service for each order, allowing sellers to focus on creating and promoting their designs.
  • ManoMano: ManoMano is a marketplace for home improvement and DIY products. The platform connects buyers with a wide range of sellers, from established retailers to individual sellers, and offers features like price comparison, customer reviews, and expert advice to help buyers make informed decisions.
  • Replex: Replex is a cloud-based infrastructure management platform that helps companies optimize their IT infrastructure and reduce costs. The platform provides real-time visibility into infrastructure performance and usage and uses AI algorithms to identify areas for improvement and cost savings.
  • Spryker: Spryker is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solution for e-commerce businesses. The platform offers a range of tools and features to help businesses manage their online stores, including product catalogue management, order fulfilment, and customer relationship management.

Overall, NCA's portfolio reflects its focus on supporting startups that are creating innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the e-commerce and retail industries. Through its portfolio companies, NCA is helping to drive the evolution of these industries and shape the future of commerce.

References
Next Commerce Accelerator
Leadership team

David Chang (CEO)

Roger Chen (COO)

Suneet Chawla (CTO)

Adam Mercer  (CIO)

Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Established
2018
Social Media