Westerwelle Young Founders Programme Spring 2022

The Young Founders Programme Spring 2022 is full of funding young people who lead entrepreneurs from emerging and developing countries. The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme 2022 aims to connect young entrepreneurs around the world with each other and with Berlin’s start-up scene and support them in developing their entrepreneurial skills and their international network.

Why not follow me as I show you how to apply for the Young Founders program spring 2022, their scholarship worth, eligibility requirements, and many more.

Please read along with me as I show you.

About the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme Spring 2022 for Young Entrepreneurs

Westerwelle Young Founders Programme Spring is a fully funded 6-month-long programme and will start with the Young Founders Conference from 10th to 14th of March, 2022 in Berlin. During this time, the 25 participants have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with successful entrepreneurs, investors and political decision-makers.

Throughout the programme, the Young Founders will have the chance to develop their businesses and discuss challenges with a personal mentor as well as with fellow Young Founders in a peer mentoring group. Moreover, Young Founders will receive further support through regular expert webinars that cater to their needs.

What are the Programme Worths?

The Young Founders Programme 2022 For Young People has a value covering;

  • 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 (the Westerwelle Foundation will cover travel and accommodation);
  • 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 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.

Eligible Nationalities

This program is open to all outstanding entrepreneurs from emerging and developing countries

Host Nationality

This program is hosted in Berlin, Germany.

Westerwelle Young Founders Programme Spring Eligibility Requirements

  • 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);
  • A company that is based in a developing or emerging country or has a strong business focus on developing and emerging economies;
  • Possess a good working knowledge of English;
  • Be 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 program.
  • Please Note: foreign applicants must possess valid travel documents (including a visa, if necessary) to enter Germany and valid travel medical insurance.

How to apply for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme 2022

Steps to apply for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme

  • Start applications on the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme website.
  • Provide and fill all required details on the young founder’s programme form provided on the website
  • Complete the programme application and submit at latest December 3, 2022.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme 2022 For Young People are currently open, and you can apply for the programme before the deadline December 3, 2022, 11 pm CEST.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

From understanding, a Young Founder refers to an individual who has started his or her own company within the last five years. The entrepreneurs in this program are typically between 20 and 35 years old, although we do not impose an age limit.

Yes. The goal of the Young Founders Programme is to support young entrepreneurs from emerging and developing countries. Our program caters to the specific needs of startup founders.

Therefore, only entrepreneurs from for-profit companies can participate. Employees of startups, journalists, or founders of non-profit organizations are not eligible to apply for the program.

No, only founders of for-profit companies can be considered.

The applicants’ English skills will be examined from the written application as well as during the interview.

No. Each applicant is only allowed to submit one application.

The scholarship screens all applications and invites shortlisted candidates for a Skype interview. Based on the results of both the written applications and Skype interviews, a jury then selects the candidates who will get to participate in the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme.

No. We do not provide funding or grants to the participants. We also do not take any equity in the startups that participate in the program.

Yes. We expect all participants to be present and actively participating during the kick-off conference in Berlin as well as in all the mentoring and peer mentoring calls that follow.

As the program’s aim is to create a strong network of Young Founders, the exchange with the other participants and the support that you extend to each other is an important cornerstone.

During the kick-off conference in Berlin, there will be a session with investors and the chance to talk to them. However, we cannot guarantee the participants any opportunities to secure funding while taking part in the program.

After the program, you remain a part of the Young Founders Network as an alumnus and we will continue to support you on your entrepreneurial path.

You will be able to take part in upcoming webinars, get support from our network, and even become an active part in future cohorts of the program.

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