The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme (YFP) is a six-month fellowship for 25 leaders uplifting emerging and developing markets towards a sustainable future.
The Westerwelle Young Founders Program is an esteemed initiative that aims to support young entrepreneurs from developing and emerging economies. Organized by the Westerwelle Foundation, the program seeks to empower promising young business leaders by providing them with the tools, networks, and knowledge necessary to scale their ventures and drive positive change in their communities. By focusing on entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business journeys, the program fosters innovation and economic growth in regions that need it most.
This six-month fellowship is highly competitive and selects participants based on the potential impact of their businesses, the entrepreneur’s vision and leadership qualities, and their commitment to fostering positive change. Successful applicants receive a wide range of benefits, including access to a global network of mentors, entrepreneurs, and investors. This network provides invaluable advice, support, and opportunities for collaboration, helping the young founders to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities.
The Westerwelle Young Founders Program includes an intensive week-long conference in Berlin, where participants engage in workshops, panel discussions, and networking events. This conference is designed to provide practical skills and insights, covering topics such as business development, leadership, and investment readiness. Additionally, the program offers ongoing virtual support, including regular peer mentoring sessions, webinars, and one-on-one coaching. This continuous support ensures that participants can apply what they have learned and make meaningful progress in their ventures.
A unique aspect of the Westerwelle Young Founders Program is its emphasis on building a strong, supportive community among the participants. Fellows are encouraged to share their experiences, challenges, and successes with each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. This community aspect is crucial for sustaining motivation and resilience, as it helps the young entrepreneurs navigate the often challenging landscape of building and scaling a business.
By the end of the program, participants are expected to have not only grown their businesses but also developed as leaders who can inspire and drive change in their local contexts. The Westerwelle Young Founders Program thus plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs who are poised to make significant contributions to economic development and social progress in their countries. Through this initiative, the Westerwelle Foundation aims to create a lasting impact by empowering young leaders to transform their visions into reality and build a better future for their communities.
Requirements For The Westerwelle Young Founders Program
- 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.
Benefits
The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme 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.
Timeline:
- Application deadline: Sunday, 11 August at 23:59 CET
- Interviews with shortlisted candidates: 12 – 30 August
- Notification of all applicants: Early September
Application Deadline: 11 August, 2024.
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