All startups
Next Valley
Next Valley is a 12-month coaching programme by our partner Frank & the Backs, created for ambitious founders looking for guidance without the typical pressure of an all-in startup programme.
Egbert Ottevanger
Director Frank & the Backs
A 12-month coaching programme, created for ambitious founders looking for guidance without the typical pressure of an all-in startup programme.
Next Valley is provided by our partner Frank & the Backs.
Why Next Valley?
Frank & the Backs stands out from other certified visa facilitators through our unique focus and extensive experience. Our experience as a facilitator is well-established, having worked with over 100 startups across various sectors, showcasing our sector-agnostic approach. We are proud of our proven support program, 'Next Valley,' which not only includes business coaching but also offers soft relocation and legal support, ensuring a comprehensive service package for our clients.
Another key differentiator is our large mentor community, comprising 35 C-level professionals who provide personalised attention through 1-on-1 biweekly meetings. This tailored approach ensures that each startup receives the mentorship and support it needs to thrive in the Dutch market.
How It Works: The Founder-Coach Relationship
At the core of the programme is the founder-coach relationship. The role of a coach is different from that of a mentor. While a typical mentor can be consulted for general advice in an ad-hoc manner, a coach supports the founder in reaching a specific goal or improving specific skills that the coach has expertise in. As such, coaching has a start and end date, a specific goal to reach at the end of the programme, and follows a structured, tailored and ongoing framework to get there.
Who can apply for this programme?
- You are a startup that solves a significant problem in society and drives positive change in the world
- You are looking for support in a specific area (marketing, funding, etc.)
- Your team consists of minimum 2 people
- Your startup can be at any stage of their journey
- Your startup can be from any location and background
Example Coaches
Egbert Ottevanger is a specialist in innovation, implementation of new technologies, and management issues. With 25 years of international experience in these fields, as well as being an entrepreneur himself, he has built a strong global network that he leverages when supporting programme founders. He has supported several Next Valley startups as a coach.
Robert Jan Van Melsen is an energy professional with experience spanning across business development, project management, and venture management. He has strong relationship skills, a performance mindset, and a structured framework to guide entrepreneurs towards their goals. As part of the Next Valley programme, he has supported SpectX.
Business Coaching
€ 6.000, (excl. VAT) or € 585,- (excl. VAT) / month/ team
Startup Visa Application Support
€ 560,- (excl. VAT) / founder or € 810,- (excl. VAT) / family
- *Visa Facilitation needs to be accompanied by a programme provided by the facilitator. You can choose between Next Valley, Altitude, Basecamp year membership
- **Additional Cost - Office Space at One of the Hubs: Prices vary
Supported Startups
The 3 Pillars of the Programme
Dedicated coach
Based on the specific needs and goals of the startup, the startup will be matched with a dedicated business coach. The coach will challenge the startup, reflect on their decisions, and connect the startup to relevant stakeholders.
Kick-off session
Once the match has been made, a kick-off session marks the start of the collaboration. A deeper understanding of the startup's needs is realised, and the joint objective and roadmap for the 12 months are set.
Ongoing, tailored coach meetings
Ongoing, tailored support will be provided by the coach. In principle, the startup and coach will have contact, either face-to-face or virtually, at least once every three weeks, preferably bi-weekly.
What can I expect?
During the visa application, the relocation and the support programme you will receive additional guidance on: legal setup, taxation, finding an address, registration, medical and educational resources, partnerships with co-working office spaces, etc.
Previous Alumni
Making it Possible: Drones with X-ray Vision
SpectX develops drones with X-ray vision to detect internal defects in hard-to-reach infrastructure, such as wind turbines. After completing the Next Valley programme, the company received a €1.74 million grant from RVO, formed a pilot consortium with Avular Robotics and the Eindhoven University of Technology, and founder Akhilesh Goveas was nominated for the MIT Innovators under 35 Europe.
Akhilesh Goveas
Founder
