About the Westerwelle Young Founders Program Autumn 2024
The Young Founders Program is a prestigious six-month fellowship designed for outstanding young entrepreneurs from emerging markets.
It serves as a global hub for visionary leaders who share a common goal of pursuing entrepreneurial excellence.
The Westerwelle Foundation for International Understanding, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, operates as a nonprofit philanthropic organization.
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Central to its mission is promoting equal opportunities through empowered entrepreneurship in emerging markets.
Eligibility Criteria
To shape a sustainable future, eligible applicants must meet the following criteria and demonstrate strong potential for growth and impact:
Residency or citizenship in a developing or emerging market country.
Recent establishment of a for-profit business focused on developing or emerging markets (within the past five years).
Successful fundraising or revenue generation based on a scalable business model.
Innovative attributes that can enhance sector standards, influence, or inclusivity.
Proficiency in English
Availability to participate in the six-month program activities and attend the digital kick-off conference.
Selection Criteria:
The selection process will involve multiple stages. Initially, applicants will be assessed based on their written applications.
Those who meet the initial criteria will then be shortlisted and invited to participate in a Skype interview.
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Following the interviews, a panel of judges will thoroughly review the results of both the written applications and the Skype interviews to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation.
Finally, selected candidates will receive invitations to join the Young Founders Program.
Benefits of the Westerwelle Young Founders Program:
The Westerwelle Young Founders Program (YFP) is a six-month fellowship designed to advance developing and emerging markets toward a sustainable future.
The program aims to provide focused support to help founders grow their businesses and enhance their leadership skills, offering:
— Access to a global network of business owners
— Mentorship by industry professionals
— Expert workshops tailored for startups in their growth phase
— Opportunities to connect with investors
— Invitation to participate in our Berlin conference
The Westerwelle Foundation will cover travel and lodging expenses related to the Young Founders Conference. Each fellow is expected to fully participate in scheduled mentoring calls and the Young Founders Conference.
Program Details:
Kick-Off Event: A two-day digital kick-off event will take place in mid-September 2024.
Remote Program: From September 2024 to February 2025, Young Founders will receive six months of support, including a personal mentor, monthly peer learning sessions, expert workshops, and networking opportunities with corporations and investors.
Berlin Conference: The top ten performing Young Founders will be invited to a five-day conference in Berlin in June 2025.
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During this event, founders will pitch to investors, attend workshops, participate in networking events, and gain insights into the German startup scene.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online via the provided link.
To assist our program team in understanding your startup and profile, please ensure you have the following key elements prepared:
- Your startup pitch deck
- Basic financial information (e.g., revenues, funding)
- Your LinkedIn profile and/or CV
The application process is estimated to take about 20 minutes with all required documents ready. Please note that only complete applications will be reviewed. The deadline for submitting your application is August 11, 2024.
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