Kevin Nyango
The Westerwelle Foundation is a German not for profit foundation. With the sole aim of identifying, promoting entrepreneurship and collaborations between innovators or startups in emerging markets. Application for the 2018 program has started.
The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme has a one-year duration. Entrepreneurs finally selected will be offered financial support to grow their startups. It is aimed at developing young and promising entrepreneurs from the various emerging economies. The programme is open to open. However, only 25 candidates or entrepreneurs will be chosen. The finalist will be announced in 2018 and application closes 18 December 2017.
Christoph Rohde the manager of the Westerwelle Foundation told Ventureburn through a phone call that they got about 2 279 applications for the programme held last year.
He also went further to give details of how the selection is done and is based on factors like the impact the startup is making and whether what they are bringing to the market is completely new.
The program is aimed at forming a network among founders throughout the world. Last year the foundation received applications from entrepreneurs in African countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana,” said Rhode.
One of the programmes lined up for the selected entrepreneurs will be to receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs who according to Rhode would be industry leaders of German companies.
Application for the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme 2018 closes on the 18 December 2017.
Peer-mentoring is also part of what is used in the programme as participants get to share the various ways they tackled problems they encountered in their countries.
“Since the start of the programme, one thing it has proved is that entrepreneurs no matter their country or region of operation face the same challenges and struggles,’ said Rhode.
Also, participants have the privilege of attending the annual conference known as Young Founders Conference hosted by the Westerwelle Foundation. The conference will be held next year from April 10 – 14 in Berlin.
The aim of the conference is to connect the 25 selected participants of the Westerwelle Young Founders Programme with each other and the startup scene by German. It is also a great platform where entrepreneurs have great opportunity to interact with policymakers and investors.
The Westerwelle Young Founders Programme offers many benefits to participants. The 25 selected participants have access to a strong network of international alumni including several entrepreneurship opportunities and conferences.
