Westerwelle 2023 Young Founders Program Spring for Young Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries

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.

• Table of Content
• About Westerwelle Foundation
• Young Founders Program Spring
• Aim and Benefits of Young Founders Program Spring
• Requirements for Young Founders Program Spring Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Westerwelle Foundation

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

Young Founders Program Spring

Aim and Benefits of Young Founders Program Spring

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.

Requirements for Young Founders Program Spring Qualification

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 ideally 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.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

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.

For more details, visit Westerwelle Foundation website.