Westerwelle Young Founders Programme – Spring 2020

What we offer:

• The Westerwelle Young Founders Conference – a week-long conference in Berlin to get to know fellow Young Founders, the German startup scene, and strengthen their entrepreneurial skills by attending workshops and meetings (travel and accommodation will be covered by the Westerwelle Foundation);

• A personal mentor who is an experienced entrepreneur and will function as a sparring partner with whom you can discuss upcoming challenges and new opportunities;

• Monthly peer mentoring calls with the other successful Young Founders of the cohort to share knowledge with and support each other;

• Expert sessions on relevant topics (e.g. OKRs, investor KPIs, marketing & sales);

• The Young Founders Network — a strong alumni network that functions as a platform for all Young Founders to connect with each other, exchange ideas and find support for existing challenges;

• Exposure to the Berlin startup scene and the public for you and your startup via our social media channels and our networks,

• Assistance beyond the programme as we remain a contact person for the Young Founders and will help you to find suitable experts for challenges, offer possibilities to share learnings with current cohorts or celebrate successes.

• The buddy programme that connects alumni of the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme with new Young Founders that operate in the same business to potentially open doors and enhance mutual exchange.

Our Requirements:

• You have recently (in the last 5 years) started a for-profit company with a scalable business model that has achieved Product-Market Fit and has ideally secured first external funding (if you run a business model that requires external investment);

• your company is based in a developing or emerging country or has a strong business focus on developing and emerging economies;

• you possess a good working knowledge of English;

• you are available to attend the Young Founders Conference in Berlin and can make time to participate in monthly mentoring and peer mentoring calls for the 6-month programme.

Please note that foreign applicants must possess valid travel documents (including a visa, if necessary) to enter Germany, and valid travel medical insurance.