Apply! Westerwelle Young Founders Programme 2018

The Westerwelle Foundation has the goal to create more opportunities for more people around the world. We promote international understanding, and foster values of democracy, market-economy, rule-of-law and tolerance. Our founders’ biographies rest on these values.

The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme is a fully funded year-long programme for 25 exceptional entrepreneurs from developing and emerging economies. As part of the programme, the Westerwelle Foundation hosts an annual conference in Berlin: the Young Founders Conference. Its focus is to connect young founders from developing and emerging economies with each other and with the German startup scene.

The participants of the Young Founders Conference will have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with successful entrepreneurs, investors and political decision makers. They will also join a network of like-minded outstanding young founders from developing and emerging economies.

Deadline
18 December,2017

Programme
Entrepreneurship

Value
-The Young Founders Conference in Berlin, Germany; 10 – 14 April 2018
-A mentoring programme: monthly mentoring calls with an experienced entrepreneur and with the group of Westerwelle Young Founders
-Invitations and scholarships for entrepreneurship conferences
-An international alumni network
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.

Eligibility
-Have recently (in the last 5 years) started a for-profit company with a scalable business model
-Be based in a developing or emerging country or have a strong business focus on developing and emerging economies
-Possess a good working knowledge of English
-Please note that foreign applicants must possess valid travel documents (including a visa, if necessary) to enter Germany, and valid travel medical insurance.

Timeline
-Online application (Deadline: 18 December 2017, 10 AM CET)
-Notification of application status to all candidates (10 January 2018)
-Skype interviews with shortlisted candidates (11 January – 9 February 2018)
-Jury decision and final selection of candidates (14 February 2018)
-Notification of application results to shortlisted candidates (15 February 2018)

Application

ung 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. The application form will be open until 18 December 2017, and you can APPLY HERE.

About the Westerwelle Foundation

The Westerwelle Foundation for International Understanding with headquarters in Berlin, Germany was established in 2013 by Dr. Guido Westerwelle, former German Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Ralph Dommermuth, CEO and Founder of United Internet AG. The foundation supports collaboration that transcends borders: between young entrepreneurs, executives and decision makers from around the world. The Foundation globally connects people and ideas and creates spaces for interaction and innovation.