The Westerwelle Foundation has launched the Young Founders Program (YFP) for young and outstanding entrepreneurs from emerging markets to participate in a 6-month fellowship program. Join the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme (YFP) for a chance to boost your project in the next six months. The foundation is looking for 25 leaders who are making a positive impact in emerging and developing markets.

Here’s what you can expect from the program:

1. Kick-Off Event: Start with a two-day online event in March 2024.
2. Remote Programme (March–August): Get ready for six months of personalized support. You’ll have a mentor and an opportunity to participate in monthly learning sessions with peers, attend workshops led by experts, and connect with corporate partners and investors.
3. Berlin Conference (June 2025): The top ten Young Founders will receive an invitation to a five-day conference in Berlin. It’s a fantastic opportunity to pitch your ideas to investors, join workshops, network with others, and gain insights into the German start-up scene.

Ready to take your project to the next level? Apply now for the Westerwelle Young Founders Program.

Aim of the Program

The Westerwelle Young Founders Program aims to support and connect young entrepreneurs to share their experiences. Young founders from developing and emerging economies have an exceptional opportunity to participate in the Young Founders, a 5-day Annual Conference hosted by the Westerwelle Foundation in Berlin, Germany, or a six-month remote program.

The six-month program also enables participants to meet and contact international politicians, investors, and entrepreneurs and join a global alumni network of young founders from other developing and emerging countries.

Key Details

Organizer: The Westerwelle Foundation

Conference Start (2-day digital program): March 2024

Remote Program: March-August 2024

Five Days Berlin Conference: June 2025

Conference Location: Berlin, Germany

Application Deadline: 11 February 2024 (23:59 CET)

Shortlisted Candidates Interviews: 19 February – 8 March 2024

Applications Notifications: 11 March 2024

Online Information Session: 31 January 2024 (14:00 – 15:00 CET )

Benefits of Westerwelle Young Founders Program

Participants will benefit from the following programs and activities:

• Kick-Off Event: Start with a two-day online event in March 2024.
• Remote Programme (March–August): Get ready for six months of personalized support. You’ll have a mentor and an opportunity to participate in monthly learning sessions with peers, attend workshops led by experts, and connect with corporate partners and investors.
• Berlin Conference (June 2025): The top ten Young Founders will receive an invitation to a five-day conference in Berlin. It’s a fantastic opportunity to pitch your ideas to investors, join workshops, network with others, and gain insights into the German start-up scene.

1. Mentoring: Using the experience of a successful entrepreneur or investor who becomes your sparring partner
2. Peer Learning: Exchange knowledge with young founders and support each other
3. Expert Session: Learn in-depth from highly experts
4. Buddy Program: Access to new business opportunities by being connected to the program’s alumni
5. Berlin Conference: Attend a fully-funded 5-day conference in Berlin for the top 10 participants

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants should submit the following requirements:

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

Documents Required

The process of application is online. Applicants should prepare the following documents:

• Startup pitch deck
• Basic financial information, such as revenue and funding
• Applicant’s LinkedIn profile or CV
• Valid passport

Application Process for the Westerwelle Young Founders Program?

All qualified applicants should fill out the online application form before the deadline. The completion of the application will take about 20 minutes.

Apply Now

Registers to the Information Session

Please visit Westerwelle Foundation’s website for more information about the Young Founders Program or for technical application issues, please email [email protected]

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