Validation phase startups
Altitude
A support programme to accelerate purpose-driven entrepreneurship worldwide.
Milena Ninova
Programme Design & Management, Workshop Facilitator
An all-inclusive support programme of 3+ years, from entering the market to sustainable growth.
WorldStartup’s impact entrepreneurship vision
Our main drive is to accelerate the growth of ventures that focus on future solutions with a positive impact. We believe an inclusive and regenerative global economy is the way forward for a sustainable future. WorldStartup invites teams to step forward and join our ecosystem to increase the chance of running a successful business with real impact for a better world.
Why Altitude?
The WorldStartup team is eager to guide your startup along the rocky journey from MVP to market growth. We have experience assisting over 30+ startups just within Altitude and over 100+ changemakers.
To impact startups in the validation phase, we offer a complete support programme, mentor and network introductions, peer-to-peer knowledge-exchange activities and expert consultations.
We work with proven trainers and mentors within the fast-paced entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in The Netherlands. Certain trainings and activities are co-created with lead partners and seasoned experts that share our view on future impact-driven entrepreneurship - Jonathan Talbott, Marjan de Jong, Simon Evenblij, Alexandra Rusu, to name a few.
The Altitude programme, however, is more than just a series of trainings and workshops for your startup to complete. We are building a rich community of founders who bring value and support one another within a Shared Support Fund.
How does it work?
The programme is structured around our practical 4-step approach:
- Learn & Share with others
- Apply to your startup
- Try in a controlled environment
- Achieve in real life
The training- and support activities are divided into 3 levels based on your startup’s progress and pace. The majority of the opportunities are available twice per year - in a Spring and an Autumn cycle. You and your team are able to plan ahead and tailor your progress based on your ambitions and needs.
The Altitude programme can be joined from anywhere in the world. It is hosted fully online with a few occasional events available in hybrid or on-location format in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The Programme: What's Included?
The core of the Altitude programme consists of the following elements:
- Market Readiness Training, Finance & Funding Readiness Training and Success Readiness Training, plus additional workshops and resources from our online academy
- One-on-one support by mentors, experts and the WorldStartup support team
- Peer-to-peer learning and support within our founders' community
- Front-row access to business, market/capital opportunities and events
- Support with legal practicalities, e.g., startup visa and incorporation
For the conditions and detailed overview of all opportunities within and across levels, please refer to the brochure.
Though there are many accelerators like YCombinator, Techstars and Seedstars but none of them could compete with WorldStartup in terms of hands on training. Other accelerators only focus on making equity investments, but WorldStartup invests in social impact of their startups by making them market ready. I will highly recommend Market Readiness Training to all startup founders as it will be once in life experience for them, and I can bet for it.
- Adeel Javaid from Townchat
Who Is This Programme For?
- You are an impact-driven startup
- You have achieved problem-solution fit and are now entering the market
- You have an MVP and/or first pilot.
- You have a team of at least 2 members
- You have a scalable innovative solution
- Technical Readiness: 5+
- Your annual revenue range: €10K-€250K
Moreover, you are inspired by and aligned with our values and view of the future of the world.
Preferably your startup fits within the field of one of our current or upcoming innovation hubs.
Your Commitment
Joining our programme entails committing to sharing 1-5% of your yearly revenue to a Shared Support Fund for a set period of time (request rev-share deal conditions in the extended brochure).
The Shared Support Fund structure is aimed at the support and development of your own and fellow startups.
Supported Startups
Why join altitude?
Tailored support
We'll connect you with a dedicated and experienced mentor who will provide personalized guidance and support throughout your entrepreneurial journey. Benefit from their expertise, industry insights, and valuable network, as they help you navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and unlock the full potential of your startup venture.
Training programmes
Equip yourself for market entry and investor meetings through our comprehensive and rigorous training programs. Gain the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to thrive in the startup ecosystem. From refining your pitch to mastering business fundamentals, our immersive programs empower you to confidently navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Peer-to-peer learning
Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of global startup founders, where you can forge deep connections and engage in meaningful peer-to-peer learning. Explore diverse perspectives, share experiences, and collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs, expanding your network and gaining valuable insights from a truly international cohort.
Experiences
Ivana Dvořáková, founder of Terraz Food
Ivana joined WorldStartup during the pandemic and completed the Market Readiness training, which proved to be exactly what she needed. She successfully established Terraz Food in the Dutch market, and since then, the company also added a variety of vegan pasta alternatives.
How to apply?
You can apply to Altitude at any time by clicking below. This is a link where we collect information about your startup to evaluate your startup current status and match it to our most suitable programme.
Stay alert for our open calls for onboarding startups in cohorts per innovation hub.
An application submitted by one member of the startup is sufficient.
Once you have submitted your answers, please be mindful of a 2-week screening process. Our sourcing department will get back to you with potential opportunities or with an indication of a waiting period or misalignment.
The first 30 days of your onboarding include various conversations, a review of the commitment agreement and a road mapping workshop which helps with outlining prioritized activities for your team and setting criteria for a mentor match. Additionally, you will be featured on our webpage and socials.
Milena Ninova
Programme Design & Management, Workshop Facilitator
