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Company Profile
The Founders Foundation trains the next generation of successful founders and builds a B2b startup ecosystem with lasting impact, right in the heart of the German Mittelstand.
As pioneers in the training of founders, the Founders Foundation relies on the Education Model, a holistic and methodologically profound model that systematically maps all stages of the startup lifecycle throughout various education programs so that tomorrow’s entrepreneurs can be prepared
We are the soil in which successful entrepeneurs can grow. As a pilot project for Germany, we advance the creation of a B2B startup ecosystem in Ostwestfalen-Lippe – a region without large conurbations – that promotes startups and makes the successful union of New and Old Business possible, and, in turn, shapes a digital future. In this context, the Hinterland of Things was launched as one of Germany’s leading tech conferences.
As a non-profit organization, the core of the Foundation’s efforts is a success- and impactful cultivation of tomorrow’s founders. The Founders Foundation was founded in 2016 in Bielefeld. One of the leading founders was Dominik Gross, now the sole CEO of the Foundation.
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OUR HISTORY
The Founders Foundation was founded in 2016 as a non-profit subsidiary of the Bertelsmann Stiftung by Sebastian Borek (Co-Founder & CEO) and Dominik Gross (Co-Founder & CFO). Since then, we have been able to achieve much:
Entwicklung des Konzepts und der Strategie im Projekt "Fostering Innovative Entrepreneurship" unter der Leitung von Dominik Gross und Jörg Dräger.
Gründung der Founders Foundation gGmbH durch Sebastian Borek, Dominik Gross und der Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Bezug des ersten Büros “Founders Space” mit 4 Mitarbeiter:innen.
Die ersten fünf Gründerteams nehmen an unserem Accelerator teil und erste Community Events finden statt.
Start des #DWNRW Projekts Startup Region OWL, gefördert durch das Land NRW. Die Initiative vernetzt die regionalen Player und schafft Transparenz.
Erstes Startup Funding von externen Investor:innen in sechsstelliger Höhe.
Anstoß des Pioneers Club, einem Co-Working Space auf 1.200 m² für Mittelstand, Startups und Digital-Expert:innen.
Die erste Hinterland of Things Conference mit 530 Teilnehmer:innen findet im Ringlokschuppen Bielefeld statt.
Umzug in das neue Founders Home, das Gründerzentrum über 4 Etagen und 2.500 m² im Herzen der Bielefelder Altstadt.
Auf der zweiten Hinterland of Things Conference kamen 1.300 Teilnehmer:innen, 43 Speaker:innen, über 300 Gründer:innen und 80 Investor:innen zusammen.
Die erste Open Innovation City Deutschlands wird mit starken Netzwerkpartner:innen ins Leben gerufen.
Wirtschaftsminister Peter Altmaier schaute sich bei seinem Besuch in der Founders Foundation an, wie wir ein B2B Startup Ökosystem aufbauen und aufstrebende Gründer:innen fördern.
Die dritte Hinterland of Things Conference verbindet über 420 Startups, 150 Future Founder, 500 Corporates und 150 Investor:innen.
Mit einem voll ausgestatteten Livestreaming Setup trotzen wir der Corona Pandemie und realisieren unsere Formate und externe Veranstaltungen digital oder hybrid.
Gefördert durch das MWIKE setzen wir, gemeinsam mit Eduvation, Ostwestfalen-Lippe als Education Technology Hotspot auf die internationale Landkarte.
Es ist soweit: EdTech Next startet mit der ersten EdTech Next Academy und dem EdTech Next Summit - Big things coming!
Nach coronabedingter Pause heißt es endlich wieder Pitch Day, das große Abschluss Event unserer Early Stage Startup Programme.
Die Hinterland of Things Conference feiert Geburtstag! Das 5. mal kommen über 1500 Teilnehmer:innen nach Bielefeld.
Development of the concept and strategy in the project "Fostering Innovative Entrepreneurship" under the leadership of Dominik Gross and Jörg Dräger.
Founders Foundation gGmbH founded by Sebastian Borek, Dominik Gross and the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Move into the first office "Founders Space" with 4 employees.
The first five founding teams participate in our Accelerator and the first community events take place.
Launch of the #DWNRW project Startup Region OWL, funded by the state of NRW. The initiative networks regional players and creates transparency.
First startup funding from external investors in the six-figure range.
Kick-off of the Pioneers Club, a co-working space on 1,200 m² for SMEs, startups and digital experts.
The first Hinterland of Things conference with 530 participants takes place in the Ringlokschuppen Bielefeld.
Move to the new Founders Home, the start-up center over 4 floors and 2,500 m² in the heart of Bielefeld's old town.
The second Hinterland of Things conference brought together 1,300 participants, 43 speakers, over 300 founders and 80 investors.
Germany's first Open Innovation City is launched with strong network partners.
During his visit to the Founders Foundation, Economics Minister Peter Altmaier took a look at how we are building a B2B startup ecosystem and supporting aspiring founders.
The third Hinterland of Things conference connects over 420 startups, 150 Future Founders, 500 Corporates and 150 Investor:ins.
Launch of Executive Education formats to complement the holistic Founders Foundation Education Model.
With a fully equipped livestreaming setup, we are starting to offer many of our formats as well as external events as remote events.
On our 5th anniversary, we draw a conclusion: since our founding, the regional startup ecosystem has grown to over 200 startups for the first time.
PRESS TESTIMONIALS ON THE FOUNDERS FOUNDATION
Our Supporters
Jan Brinckmann
Associate Professor Entrepreneurship & Strategy ESADE Barcelona
Laura Tönnies
CEO
corrux
Josef Brunner
CEO
relayr
Kristina Walcker-Mayer
CEO
Bitwala
Jana Görs
CEO
Zephram
We Collaborate With High-Profile Entrepreneurs, International Experts, and Startup Scene Leaders in a Unique Network
Nico Polleti
CEO & Co-Founder
cluno
Hinterland of Things Conference by Founders Foundation
As one of the leading tech conferences in Germany, the Hinterland of Things conference is the Founders Foundation’s established lighthouse project.
Once a year, Germany’s most outstanding innovators and aspiring and successful founders, Hidden Champions and global market leaders, investors and opinion makers, get together in one of Bielelfeld’s premier creative locations, the “Lokschuppen”, to discuss, to network, and to forge alliances for a collective digital future.
Up to 1.500 participants, as well as over 120 Venture Capitalists, joined the 2020 conference. Annually, the event reaches up to 14 million people via print, tv and web.
Alliance Partners
In our Hinterland Alliance, both leading companies and Hidden Champions from the region get together with international top players.
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