Startup School

Are you passionate about tech? Do you have a sense for entrepreneurship? Want to launch your own startup and actively shape the future of digital transformation as well as expand your entrepreneurial talents? The Founders Foundation Startup School is the ideal entry point into the startup scene.

From Zero to Startup in 10 Weeks

In our Startup School, we bring together complementary talents, teach them the relevant basics, help them developed their entrepreneurial mindsets, and pave the road for the launch of their own startup.

International experts and leading figures from the startup scene support the Startup School attendants during the program, provide them with honest feedback, and give them perspective for their business ideas.

Hint: Applications only in German!

Format

Twice a year
10 week part-time program, at night and on weekends
Fixed starting and ending date
Hybrid (online & on-site in Bielefeld)
20 hours a week
Program language: German

Audience

Singular talents with an entpreneurial mindset
Teams with a business idea in its early phase

Focus

Startup Basics
Team Matching

Goal

Validated business idea
& complementary team of co-founders.

Laufzeit

Next Batch:
October 2025 - December 2025

Apply for the Startup SChool #18!

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Clear some space in your schedule and start your journey with us!
Application deadline for the Startup School #18 is 24. February 2025.
Hint: Application only in German!

KEINE PASSENDE IDEE? TAKE A CHALLENGE!

Solltest Du noch keine passende Idee für Dein B2B Tech Startup haben, kannst Du an einer exklusiven Challenge teilnehmen und diese in unserem Programm gemeinsam mit Mentor:innen entwickeln. Vermerke einfach in den #Last Words Deiner Bewerbung, dass Du die Challenge gerne angehen möchtest!

HETTICH GROUP

Wie können Bewerber:innen auf der Recruiting-Plattform spielerisch herausfinden, welcher Beruf zu ihnen passt und wie können wir gleichzeitig auch mehr Aufmerksamkeit auf unbekannte Berufe lenken? Wie kann dieser Ansatz auch die Attraktivität von Hettich als Arbeitgeber stärken?

Program Contents

Idea Block

In our Idea Block you will learn how to evaluate what characterizes a successful business idea, how to find out if there is a market and demand for the idea, and which components are necessary to build a successful team.

10.10. & 11.10.2025

Building Block

Once you have completed the Building Block, you will know what the first version of your solution looks like, how to achieve that milestone, and how you can best approach and win over customers for your solution.

31.10. & 01.11.2025

Growth Block

In topic-specific workshops you will learn about the most important metrics of your business idea, how to systematically record and improve them, and which options you have to finance your startup.

21.11. & 22.11.2025

Final Pitch Day

The Final Pitch Day is the grand finale of Startup School. You and your team get to present your startup idea in front of a huge audience. A jury of investors and corporate representatives grades the pitches and chooses the winning team. The winning teams of the Final Pitch Day does not only reap honor & glory but a scholarship for the Founders Foundation Lab.

All program contents

Program Benefits

Co-Founder Matching

Link up with other ambitious talents who share your mission so that you can grow together. Participating in our Startup School is a groundbreaking step on the way to assemble a strong founder team. We bring together top talents and support them with exploring their skillsets and interests. And that is how strong complementarily set up teams of founders emerge.

Startup Knowhow

You will acquire all the information and skills that you need to build a successful B2B tech startup and establish yourself in the international startup scene. In the course of 10 weeks you will find out achieving the Problem-solution fit really entails and lay the groundwork for your startup to generate sales and receive investments.

Top-tier Experts

All lecturers of Startup School are experienced entrepreneurs and startup experts, such as our Program Director Dr. Jan Brinckmann who is among the global top 5 entrepreneurship professors and the coordinator of the MBA course at ESADE Barcelona.

For all Stages of Life

Startup School is designed to be job-compatible. You can easily participate while still pursuing your current activities. The program comprises online and on-site sessions in regular rotation. All sessions (both online and on-site) take place after work hours during the week or on weekends.

Community Access

You get access to our Slack community with more than 170 exciting talents and alumni from the founder scene in the OWL region. As one of the leading organisations in startup training in Germany and with solid connections to the international startup scene, the Founders Foundation additionally offers you access to our network of highly qualified mentors and experts, partners in various industries, business angels, and VCs.

B2B Expertise & Network

The Founders Foundation is the perfect place to start building successful tech-based B2B companies. The countless Hidden Champions from the German Mittelstand and global leaders right next door represent exciting points of contact for possible joint ventures, customer relationships, or investments.

Testimonials From Our Participants

Many successful ideas had their start in the Startup School. This is what the alumni are saying about our program.

Not only did I met my co-founder Nick in the Startup School, I was also able to build a strong network of inspiring founders, startup experts and investors.

In the Startup School, I met my two co-founders Dennis and Ingo – we are still running a successful company together. Without the Founders Foundation, many things would have been impossible for us. I can only highly recommend the Startup School.

In the Startup School, you get to take part in valuable workshops with international top experts such as Jan Brinckmann. Other people must attend the best universities for that and spent a small fortune. You get the same experience in the Startup School, but without any cost.

YOU WORK ON INNOVATIVE IDEAS. YOU ARE A VISIONARY THINKER

YOUR EYES ARE FIRMLY SET ON THE DIGITAL FUTURE. YOU ARE A TRENDSETTER

YOU LEAD THE WAY WITH YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Stay Tuned For the Next Startup School

Are you ready to put all your passion into innovative business ideas and find your perfect co-founder? Take the first step and apply for our Startup School!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is Startup School For?

The program aims at participants with big ideas and ambitions but who do not know everything yet that there is to know about startups and building businesses. Other important traits are an innovative mindset, a “can do”-attitude, a creative drive, and a pioneering spirit.

How Does Startup School Proceed?

Startup School is a 10-week part-time program with a fixed starting and ending date happening twice a year. The program contents are taught in both physical and digital workshop formats.

What Is Taught in Startup School?

The focus of teaching is elementary startup knowhow in the fields finances, team building, and product development. Next to acquiring knowledge, team matching is an important aspect to create strong complementary teams of founders.

What Is the Goal of the Startup School?

Startup School aims to match complementary teams of founder with each other and find ideas for a possible startup launch.

HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE WORKS?

First, you fill out your application form (takes 15 minutes). If you reach the second stage you will be invited to a one-way video interview (15 minutes) via email. Once we have sighted all applications you will receive a definitive response whether you will be accepted into the next round of the program.

WHAT COMES AFTER I HAVE COMPLETED STARTUP SCHOOL?

Once you have completed Startup School, you will receive a certificate that certifies your participation and details your specific learnings.

If the validation of your team’s business idea was positive and shows real potential we won’t abandon you, of course. You will be able to qualify for the Founders Foundation LAB where will continue assisting with the development of your startup. Additionally, you will have the chance to apply for the full-time accelerator program.

Does Participation in Startup School Cost Anything?

No. Every talented founder that manages to convince us and is accepted by our in-house jury receives a full grant worth 3.000 € for Startup School. In other words: We do not charge an entry fee! In return we expect nothing less than your full commitment and an attendance quota of 85%. This is your chance. Excuses like “I had no time” or “But my job …” won’t make your startup grow. Commitment is everything!

Is the Program Compatible With a Job or University Studies?

Yes, the program takes place primarily in the evenings and on weekends. That way, you will be able to see to your other duties and still participate as best as you can. The expected time you need to invest per week is around 20 hours.

How Does Covid Affect the Program?

We want you to connect with each other and be able to learn efficiently. But we also want our participants to be safe and stay healthy. Naturally, we will heed the current regulations of state and federal government on handling covid. If it is no longer possible to host on-site sessions we will switch to a remote program, meaning all sessions will be run via zoom.

DO I NEED CODING SKILLS?

IT/technical/software skills are not strictly necessary because a person never starts alone, at least in our philosophy. The very first step of Startup School is matching complementary talents so that every hacker is matched with a hustler and/or hunter. A complementary and nimble team is one of the top 3 factors of sucess when launching a company. What you should consider a pre-requisite for joining the program is to know your own strengths and be aware of missing competencies.

Your Supporters

Profit from our unique network of top-class businesspeople, international experts and leading figures from the startup scene.

Dr. Jan Brinckmann

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy
ESADE Barcelona

Kristina Walcker-Mayer

CEO
Nuri

Jana Görs

Co-Founder
Zephram

Any Questions?

Our Program Manager Liesa-Marie Ellerbrok is happy to answer all your questions about the Startup School.