Traction

Builder

A performance bootcamp for consumer
startups to expand their audience

Deadline: September 22nd

Program for Founders & CMOs to leverage
marketing opportunities on Snapchat
and get business guidance for your startup

Program for Founders & CMOs to leverage marketing opportunities on Snapchat and get business guidance for your startup

The program is...
  • Free
  • Online
  • 4-week long
Created for…
  • Seed - Series A startups
  • Consumer tech in the domains of Health & Wellness, Utilities, EdTech, Social Discovery, etc.
  • Those looking to scale their audience with a new traffic source.
The Traction Builder program will help you…
  • Elevate your traction with Snapchat
  • Save up to $30k of your marketing budget
  • Navigate expansion with a trusted mentor, who’s been there, done that
  • Launch a new traffic source in 4 weeks
  • Pitch at a side event during Slush 2024 and connect with 40+ VC and angels from the TRMNL4 network.

Program

1st Week
  • Meet your mentors from Snap & TRMNL4
  • Set up your first campaign
2nd Week
  • Get around Snapchat cabinet & prepare creatives
  • Receive $10k in credits and guidance on how to spend them
3rd Week
  • Analyze your new source of traction
  • Tips & case studies from Snap
4th Week
  • Pitch practice with VCs
  • Pre-Demo Day. Selection for the final event
November 20 in Helsinki

Pitch at Slush
side-event

  • November 20, Helsinki, Finland
  • Closed side-event during Slush for startups & VC
  • Pitch in front of 40+ investors from TRMNL4 network
  • Win $20K on Snapchat during the Traction Builder program finale
*However, we cannot guarantee funding – it's all up to you!

Selection

Closed

Open Call

Sep 23 – Sep 29

Pitch deck review

Oct 2 – Oct 8

Personal interview

Oct 14

Program start day

Take what
you really
need

deep-dive workshops
knowledge library
case studies
founder-to-founder networking
pitch competition
mentorship sessions

Our experts

Organizers

TRMNL4 [terminal] — a connector [for] startups, investors, and global tech players.

We create educational, networking, and investment opportunities for tech businesses.

Snap Inc. is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world and have fun together.

VC on the Slush side-event

Friendly deals

Access T4.Community after successful completion of the program

TRMNL4.
in numbers

8000+

Programs
& community applicants

188

Startup Academy
by Genesis
& Meta alumni

40+

Ecosystem partners,
mostly in CEE

40+

Countries
in our pipeline

45+

VC funds
in our network

$11M

Invested
in our startups

150+

TRMNL4. Community members

DISCOVER MORE FROM TRMNL4.

a connector [for] startups, investors, and global tech players.

T4.Community

unites one-of-a-kind founders
from the CEE region.

T4.Programs

teach startups how to grow and scale successful tech businesses.

FAQ

1. Who are the organizers?

  • TRMNL4 [terminal] — a connector [for] startups, investors, and global tech players.
  • Snap Inc. is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world and have fun together.
  • The program is a part of TRMNL4 powered by Genesis.

2. How to join the Traction Builder?

  • Fill out the application form. After submitting, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk folder. The selection stages include an application on the website, screening, pitch deck review, and an interview. We inform applicants about the results of each preliminary stage by email and our social media.

3. How is the learning process organized?

  • You meet your mentor from Snap, who will be there with you during the program for 4 weeks. Together you will work through your goals for the expansion of your audience and will develop a roadmap for your growth on Snapchat.
  • Each week we will host deep-dive online workshops and case studies for practical content.
  • Connect with mentors and receive one-on-one support for specific requests.
  • Check out the Knowledge Library for insightful content on marketing and startup building.
  • In the 4th week, we will practice pitching and will prepare you for the closed side event as part of Slush, participation in which is determined by the startup's level of preparation and its traction during the bootcamp.
    *For convenient communication, we use Slack. All online events take place in Zoom, and interaction with experts and the content library is organized on our T4.Platform.

4. What will be the working language?

  • English is our working language.

5. As a founder, can I involve my startup team in the program?

  • Sure! The program is designed for founders & CMOs or marketing leads. You can learn from deep-dive workshops, access specialized case studies, meet with advisors, and get help in your field from mentors and other experts. This way, the entire team can learn valuable skills to help propel the startup further.

6. How many startups are going to take part in the program?

  • The Traction Builder by TRMNL4 & Snapchat will have 8 startups who will work hand in hand with Snap team & industry experts.

7. What are the entry requirements?

  • The program is designed mainly for tech-driven software startups from Seed to Series A that are engaged in consumer tech in different domains like Health & Wellness, Utilities, EdTech, Social Discovery, E-Commerce, Gaming, Streaming, and FinTech. These startups should also be interested in scaling with Snapchat.

8. Is participation free?

The Traction Builder is free. TRMNL4 and Snapchat support startups without exchanging equity or fees.

  • Collaborate actively with assigned mentors and advisors to gain advice and feedback, promoting your business's growth and development.
  • Engage in program-related activities, such as events, workshops, and meetings.
  • Keep communication clear and honest regarding any difficulties, progress, or changes in your business direction.
  • Make full use of the resources and opportunities to optimize your growth and success potential.
  • Contribute to the TRMNL4.Community by sharing your experiences, insights, and knowledge with fellow members and stakeholders.
  • If your startup receives investment or achieves significant milestones with the help of the TRMNL4 team, you agree to acknowledge TRMNL4 and the Traction Builder Program in any media or press releases for at least one year.

9. Can I raise investment for my startup at the Slush side event?

  • At the end of the program, the participants who successfully finish the program will have the opportunity to pitch their startups to TRMNL4’s investment network at a Slush Side Event in November. However, we cannot guarantee that your startup will receive funding.

10. What do I need to do to become a part of TRMNL4?

  • Participants of the Traction Builder will become a part of our network and join more than 150 founders from CEE for ongoing activities. But even if you don’t make it into the program, feel free to apply to T4.Community for more opportunities. Check it out here.

11. I want to partner up with you. Who do I need to contact?

  • If you want to join as a partner and share your service or expertise, send us an email at [email protected].
  • If you’re an investor, check out more info on the TRMNL4 website and fill out the form to join the network.
  • For media and other friends, we recommend visiting the Contact page for more details.
  • If you wish to share your expertise with our founders, please contact [email protected]. Describe your background and how you would like to cooperate. Please note that we are community-oriented and not-for-profit, so we do not involve external expertise commercially.

12. How is the winner picked for $20k worth of marketing on Snap?

A team from Snap will decide the final winner based on the traction that the startup demonstrates during the Traction Builder program.