Westerwelle Young Founders Program Autumn 2024 for Young Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries

Apply for Westerwelle Young Founders Programme and attend the Young Founders Conference in Berlin, Germany.

Application Deadline: 11th August 2024 at 11:59 CEST

Interviews with shortlisted candidates: 12 – 30 August 

Notification of all applicants: Early September

Eligible Countries: All African and Developing countries

To be taken at (country): Berlin, Germany/Applicant’s Home Country

About the Award: The Young Founders Programme is a 6-month fellowship for outstanding young entrepreneurs from emerging markets. It brings together leaders from all over the world, who are united in the pursuit to achieve entrepreneurial greatness.

The Westerwelle Foundation for International Understanding is a non-profit organization based in Berlin, Germany. Our mission is to create equal opportunities for all by uplifting emerging markets through empowered entrepreneurship.

Type: Entrepreneurship; Career Fellowship

Eligibility: We are looking for entrepreneurs with high potential for impact and growth to become leaders of a sustainable future, with the following criteria:

• You are a citizen or resident of a developing or emerging country.
• You have recently (in the last five years) started a for-profit company focused on developing or emerging markets.
• Your company possesses a scalable business model that has generated revenue or secured a first round of external funding.
• You or your business possesses disruptive qualities that can increase the quality, impact or inclusiveness of the industry.
• You possess a good working knowledge of English.
• You are available to attend the digital kick-off conference and can make time to participate in programme activities for the six months.

Selection: Applicants will first be shortlisted according to their written application. The shortlisted candidates will then be invited for a Skype interview. Results of written application and Skype interview will be discussed by a jury and the selected candidates will be invited to participate at the Young Founders Programme.

Value of Program: The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme (YFP) is a six-month fellowship for 25 leaders uplifting emerging and developing markets towards a sustainable future. We offer targeted support to scale our founders’ ventures and develop their leadership abilities, with the following programme plan:

1. Access to a global network of entrepreneurs
2. Mentorship from industry experts
3. Expert workshops for growth stage startups
4. Opportunity for exposure to investors
5. Chance to attend our conference in Berlin

Travel and accommodation for the Young Founders Conference will be covered by the Westerwelle Foundation. All fellows are expected to actively participate in the Young Founders Conference as well as in the scheduled mentoring calls.

Duration of Programme: The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme (YFP) is a six-month fellowship for 25 leaders uplifting emerging and developing markets towards a sustainable future. We offer targeted support to scale our founders’ ventures and develop their leadership abilities, with the following programme plan:

• Kick-Off Event: A two-day digital kick-off event will take place in mid September 2024.
• Remote Programme: From September 2024 – February 2025, the Young Founders will receive six months of support including a personal mentor, monthly peer learning sessions, monthly expert workshops and networking opportunities with corporates and investors.
• Berlin Conference: The ten best performing Young Founders will be invited to a five-day conference in Berlin in June 2025. During this conference, the founders will have the opportunity to pitch in front of investors, participate in workshops, join networking events and get insights into the German start-up scene.

How to Apply: Westerwelle Young Founders Autumn 2024 is Now Open!

The following application will provide our Programme Team with an understanding of your startup and profile. Please have the following key elements ready:

• Your startup pitch deck
• Basic financial information (i.e. revenues, funding)
• Your LinkedIn profile and/or CV

With these on hand, the application will take approximately 20 minutes. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

APPLY HERE

Visit Programme Webpage for details