Program
Designed for Your Success
The Armstrong Venture Development Program is a transformative journey for founders, startups, and their supporters, designed to turn innovative ideas into thriving ventures. Delivered through Bertie, our AI-driven platform, this program provides the tools, guidance, and structure needed at every stage of the startup lifecycle.

From validating your idea to scaling your business, the program ensures you have the support and resources to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence.

The Armstrong Venture Development Program supports founders & their teams as they progress through its carefully crafted stages of Ignite, Calibrat and Launch.
1
Ignite
Capture Your Status & Apply
1 week
The Ignite stage is the starting point of your venture journey on Bertie, designed to act as both an application and an “as-is” snapshot of your startup’s current position. This stage sets the foundation for personalised support and tailored guidance as you move forward.
Capture Your Vision
Founders complete a structured series of questions on Bertie to articulate their idea, team, and goals, providing a clear picture of the venture’s current status.
Assess Readiness
Ignite helps identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities in key areas such as market understanding, problem-solution fit, and team structure.
Prepare for the Next Stage
The insights gathered during Ignite enable a seamless transition into the Calibrate program, ensuring you receive the right support to validate your idea.
Apply now
2
Calibrate
Find Your Fit & Get Ready to Build
3 months
Our Calibrate is designed to help you develop the right problem-solution fit and put your idea to the test. Over an intense 3-month journey, you’ll work with a Venture Partner and utilise our AI-powered platform, Bertie, to validate your business idea and ensure it’s solving a real problem for real customers.
Problem-Solution Fit
Work with your dedicated Venture Partner and Bertie to refine your idea and understand your target market.
Customer Discovery
Conduct customer interviews, gather feedback, and validate your market assumptions.
Pitch Practice
Get ready to pitch for entry into our exclusive Build Program, presenting your idea along with the data and insights you’ve collected.
3
Launch
Accelerate Your MVP & Win Early Customers
6 months
The Launch is where ideas come to life. Over the course of six months, we’ll help you move from validated concept to a market-ready MVP, and even land your first customers. With a clear focus on execution, you’ll have weekly milestones, continuous feedback, and structured sprints to ensure you make real progress.
MVP Development
Get hands-on with your product. Our Venture Partners and Bertie will guide you through the steps to build a working MVP that customers can use and test.
Market Validation
Conduct real-time market tests to further validate your product’s value, and adjust based on feedback.
Customer Acquisition
With our network and resources, you’ll develop and implement customer acquisition strategies to get your first users on board.
Investor-Ready Business Plan
Alongside product development, you’ll work with your Venture Partner and Bertie to build a detailed, investor-ready business plan. We cover everything from financial projections to growth strategies.
Let’s build something great together!
Ready to turn your idea into a reality? Apply to our Venture Development Program and take the first step towards building your B2B tech startup.
Apply for our program
F.A.Q.
What is Armstrong Studio?

Armstrong Studio is a venture studio designed to support early-stage founders in transforming their ideas into scalable businesses. Combining the AI-powered Bertie platform, experienced Venture Partners, and structured programs like Calibrate and Launch, we provide a comprehensive pathway for startup success.

What kind of startups are you looking for?

Armstrong Studio welcomes founders with business ideas for new B2B technology companies from diverse backgrounds. We are looking for founders with innovative solutions to meaningful problems that can create scalable businesses. While we focus on founders with strong ideas, we are especially supportive of those who may lack technical experience but are eager to build their solution in partnership with Armstrong Studio.

What is involved in the Ignite stage?

Ignite is our application stage, where we get to know you and your idea. Founders provide insights into their background, problem-solution fit, and market potential via an online questionnaire on the Bertie platform. Successful applicants are invited to join the Calibrate program.

What is the Calibrate program, and what does it involve?

Calibrate is a 12-week pre-accelerator program focused on helping you validate your idea, refine your business model, and develop an early pre-seed investor-ready proposition. Using the Bertie platform, you’ll complete structured tasks across five pillars: Entrepreneurship, Product, Market & Customers, Problem-Solution Fit, and Business Model & Planning. 

The key outcomes of the Calibrate program include a validated problem-solution fit, clear market entry strategy, a product & technology roadmap as well as an investor-ready pitch deck and draft business plan.

Does Armstrong Studio take equity from Calibrate participants?

No, Armstrong Studio does not ask for equity from those founders participating in the Calibrate program. Equity considerations only come into play if you advance to the Launch program and receive investment from Armstrong Studio.

Why is there a cost for the Calibrate program?

Whilst Armstrong Studio does not ask for equity from founders who participate in Calibrate, there is a cost of €2,500, which covers full access to Bertie platform for 12 months, venture partner support for each participant, and a tailored venture journey.

What happens after the Calibrate program?

At the end of Calibrate, you’ll pitch your validated business idea to the Armstrong team and investors. Successful participants will be invited to join the Launch program, where they will receive up to €250,000 in investment and extensive support to develop their product and win early customers over the next 6+ months.

Can I apply for Calibrate without technical experience?

Absolutely! Armstrong Studio and Bertie are designed to support founders at all experience levels. Our platform, venture partners and advisors will guide you through each stage, ensuring you gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

What is the Launch program?

Launch is where ideas start becoming a reality. Over the 6 month build program, founders drive towards product-market fit, building their MVP/first release product while onboarding early adopter customers. This stage is about executing and building a solid foundation for growth.

How can Bertie help me during Calibrate or Launch?

Bertie is Armstrong Studio’s AI-driven venture builder platform. It helps you & your Startup:

  • Stay organised with a personalised venture development board (VDB).
  • Receive actionable insights tailored to your startup journey.
  • Compile material for your data room from the start of your journey that can be used for investors discussions. 
  • Communicate seamlessly with other team members, partners, advisors and other experts.
What support will I get from Armstrong’s Venture Partners?

Our experienced Venture Partners bring many decades of commercial and technical expertise and are focused on building validate ventures, efficiently. They will 

  • Provide hands-on support tailored to your needs during the different Bertie programs.
  • Help you define & refine your strategy, product, and go-to-market approach.
  • Connect you with relevant experts to help accelerate your growth
What happens if I don’t get selected for Launch?

Even if you don’t progress to Launch after the initial 3 months, you can continue to have access to the Bertie platform for 12 months and can continue to use the Calibrate process to validate your business proposition and improve your investor readiness. Your market research (primary & secondary), business model development, product specifications and other material you produce can help you continue on your investor ready journey.

How can I prepare for Ignite and Calibrate?

Our Ignite application process is designed to help you through some of the key considerations around undertaking the entrepreneurial journey as well as taking a snapshot of your current status. Ignite helps you take a snapshot of your Venture proposition in areas such as your personal vision & motivations, problem & your proposed solution, the market, competitors, product vision, business model and your plan to execute. These areas and many more will be drilled into in a lot more detail during the Calibrate process.

How do I access Ignite?

Click on the Join on our homepage to access Ignite on Bertie platform. Complete the different sections, once all sections are completed our team will be notified and will review your submission and invite selected applicants to join the Calibrate program.

Can I access Bertie outside of Armstrong programs?

Yes! Bertie is available as a standalone platform for founders to develop their venture efficiently in a structured environment. Bertie is also available to accelerators, and investors looking for AI-driven support in managing startup journeys.

I have more questions. Who can I contact?

We’re here to help! Reach out to us at info@armstrongstudio.ai, and one of our team members will assist you.