LAB

You already have a team and you are all working on a specific business case? Perhaps even already registered a company?

In that case, the Founders Foundation’s Lab is perfect for you. In the Lab, complementary founder teams are working continuously and critically on validating their business idea.

The teams have the goal to reach the Problem-Solution Fit for their business case and to transform their theoretical idea into a real startup.

On a daily and individual basis, our program managers support the startup teams during their time in the Lab in their efforts to formulate and analyze hypotheses that are critical for success.

Format

Continuous program
Average program length: 3 months
Individual support through the program manager and experienced mentors

Target Group

Complementary set-up teams with a clear product hypothesis in the B2B tech sector

Focus

Content-based & KPI-based validation on the market
Team Building & Leadership Skills

Goal

Reaching the Problem-Solution Fit
Conception & launch of first MVP

Benefits of the Program

NO COSTS

Teams receive a 3-month scholarship for the Founders Foundation Lab

Top-Class Mentoring

Individual support a through Program Manager and experienced mentors

Fixed working space

24/7 access to the Founders Home incl. all benefits

Closed events

Access to community events and workshops available through the Education Program

STRONG NETWORK

Access to our unique network of Hidden Champions and global leaders

Your Supporters

Get valuable support during your time in the Founders Lab through our uniqe network of international entrepreneurs, top-class mentors and leading startup personalities.

Elias Weike

Programm Manager Startup School

Julia Gerner

Program Managerin Founders Foundation Accelerator

Stephan Jacquemot

Director Founders Education

Our Alumni Startups

We were able to support help companies in their development phase and help blaze a trail for their innovative ideas. Some of those are:

Participant Testimonials

Find out what our alumni founders are saying about their time in the Founders Lab.

The Founders Foundation Lab was the perfect jumpstart for us. We were able to avoid many mistakes and grow much faster thanks to the mentor support and the exchange with other experienced founders.

I have already given a home to two startups in the Lab. I can only advise any founder to join because your work will be put to the test every day anew. That way, it will improve bit by bit.

Collaborating with the Founders Foundation and exchanging know-how with other startups is extremely valuable. It has helped us to progress enormously, from a product and market perspective.

The creative spirit in the Founders Lab has helped locarl reach the next level. I was able to learn a lot from the other founder's ideas. The teams are happy to help each other while the Founders Foundation gives their support wherever possible.

The Founders Foundation Lab was the perfect jumpstart for us. We were able to avoid many mistakes and grow much faster thanks to the mentor support and the exchange with other experienced founders.

I have already given a home to two startups in the Lab. I can only advise any founder to join the because your work will be put to the test every day anew. That way, your work will improve bit by bit.

Collaborating with the Founders Foundation and exchanging know-how with other startups is extremely valuable. It has helped us to progress enormously, from a product and market perspective.

YOU HAVE A CLEAR MARKET OR PRODUCT HYPOTHESIS FOR B2B TECH

YOU ARE A TEAM WITH COMPLEMENTARY ROLE PROFILES

PREFERABLY, YOU ARE FROM OSTWESTFALEN-LIPPE

Your way into the Founders Foundation Lab

Every quarter we give emerging tech talents and their teams the chance to push their B2B business idea to the next level in our Founders Foundation Lab!

If you and your startup team convince our jury with your idea on Challenger Day, you will get a 3-month scholarship for our Founders Foundation Lab including all benefits, such as a permanent workplace in our Founders Home and individual mentoring by our top experts.

This step offers you the perfect basis on the way to our Accelerator Program!

What do you need to do?

Prepare your business case with your team in an informative pitch deck and fill out the application form on this page.
If your B2B Tech idea convinces in the pre-selection, you will be invited to the Challenger Day.
On Challenger Day, you pitch your business case within 5 minutes in front of our jury and as a winner, onboarding in our Founders Home will follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Lab's Program meant for?

The Lab houses teams with diversified role profiles and a clear market and product hypothesis for their business idea aiming at the B2B/tech field. The teams often already successfully completed the Startup School and are predominantaly from Ostwestfalen-Lippe. Usually, they work full time and on-site in the Founders Home.

How do we, my team and I, qualify for a place in the Lab?

Entering the program happens once a quarter. An application is possible every time though. In front of a jury, teams pitch their ideas and face a 10 minute Q&A by an expert jury. After, they review the team’s and their idea’s eligibility for the program. If a team was able to convince the jury to get a place in the lab, they usually receive a free 3-month scholarship for the Lab including a working space.

What is included in the Lab?

Teams which were able to get into the Lab, usually receive a 3-month scholarship for the lab. This also includes 24/7 access to the Founders Home with all entailed benefits. The Lab gives participating teams individual support through the program manager and mentors who are experts in the field the team is working in. Additionally, the participants have access to various workshop formats through the Education Program and other events. The teams also gain access to an active network of global leaders located in the region, B2B tech startups, and investors.

Which topics does the Founders Foundation Lab focus on?

The main focus is the KPI-based validation in the market as well as team building and the development of leadership skills.

Also, the teams are working on generating the first monthly sales, creating a basis for interacting with possible investors, and conceiving and launching a first MVP.

What is the participants' goal in the Lab?

With the Founders Lab we pursue the goal to give founders the best possible support in the early stages of startup development. We we want to help them to progress from a theoretical business case to a real, successful startup – which is achieved by reaching the Problem-Solution Fit and continously improving the product.

Does the Lab cost anything?

Teams which do not generate signficant sales yet can apply for a 3 months Lab scholarship and use everything we offer for free. Startups which already generate regular larger sales or have relevant external funding, usually pay a member fee of 159 EUR per month and per person.

Get Your Business Idea to the Next Level!

Are you ready to make your B2B business idea into a successful startup?

Then apply for a place in the Founders Foundation Lab.

Any Questions?

Simply contact Miriam, our Talent Managerin Education, directly.

Your Opportunity to Get Funding

Apply for a funding project sponsored by the state of Northrine-Westfalia and receive monthly funding.

Gründerstipendium.NRW – Funding for Founders

You have an innovative business idea and want to get started as a startup founder in Northrhine-Westfalia?

The Gründerstipendium.NRW sponsored by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy offers you the opportunity to receive financial support.

NOT THE RIGHT PLACE?

This area does not reflect your stage of growth? Find the right solution for you and your company here:

ENTREPRENEURIAL TALENTS

You want to use your talent to full capacity and build a B2B tech startup from the ground up? Grow your entrepreneurial talents and develop visionary business ideas.

Leaders & Executives

You want to advance to a C-Level position and hone your managerial skills? Take one of our training courses and become a decision maker of tomorrow.

You Have Questions?
Talk to us!

We are happy to answer your questions about our programs, our mission and the events we are hosting.

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LAB