The Westerwelle Young Founders is inviting applications for entrepreneurs from developing and emerging economies for a fully funded six-month program.
Twenty five exceptional entrepreneurs will be selected for the program.
The program kicks-off with the Westerwelle Young Founders Conference in Berlin taking place from 10th to 14th March 2020.
Its focus is to connect young founders from developing and emerging economies with each other and the German startup scene.
What we offer
1.) The Westerwelle Young Founders Conference – a week-long conference in Berlin to get to know fellow Young Founders and strengthen the entrepreneurial skills by attending workshops and meetings (travel and accommodation will be covered by the Westerwelle Foundation),
2.) A personal mentor – an experienced entrepreneur who will function as a sparring partner with whom to discuss upcoming challenges and new opportunities,
3.) Monthly peer mentoring calls to share knowledge and support each other,
4.) Expert sessions on relevant topics (e.g. OKRs, investor KPIs, marketing & sales),
5.) The Young Founders Network – a strong alumni network to connect with other Young Founders, exchange ideas and find support for existing challenges,
6.) Exposure to the Berlin startup scene and the public for you and your startup via our social media channels and our networks,
7.) Assistance beyond the programme as we remain a contact person and will help in finding experts for challenges, offer possibilities to share learnings or celebrate successes.
8.) 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.
Requirements
1.) 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);
2.) Your company is based in a developing or emerging country or has a strong business focus on developing and emerging economies;
3. 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.
Application Timeline
1.) Application deadline (3rd of December 2019, 11pm CEST)
2.) Skype interviews with shortlisted candidates (25th of November to 17th of December 2019)
3.) Jury decision and selection of participants (5th of January 2020)
4.) Notification of all applicants (7th of January 2020)
The Westerwelle Foundation for International Understanding was established in 2013 by Dr Guido Westerwelle, former German Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ralph Dommermuth, CEO and Founder of United Internet AG in Berlin, Germany.
The foundation supports collaboration that transcends borders: between young entrepreneurs, executives and decision-makers from around the world.
The Foundation also globally connects people and ideas and creates spaces for interaction and innovation.
