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Pole Position: Navigate Critical Challenges in Deeptech
Join the leading programme to drive your deeptech from breakthrough towards global impact!
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Pole Position in short
Starting a Deeptech company poses unique challenges: developing intricate technology, navigating a complicated ecosystem, securing funding pre-traction, and maintaining team morale. Success demands vision, focus, and endurance.
Pole Position guides breakthrough technologies through the “valley of death” – a critical phase where many innovations falter. We challenge and support your team in refining your vision and ambition, market access strategies, scalable business models, leadership and team composition, and funding strategies.
Deeptech Founder Journey
![Deeptech](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Deeptech.png)
Are you an ambitious deeptech startup ready to accelerate past
competition?
Pole Position, our flagship Deeptech programme, connects you with peers and challenges you through expert guidance from seasoned founders and experts.
We link you to our experienced network of Deeptech entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Together, we’ll navigate the “valley of death,” propelling your startup towards global scale.
Who is the programme for?
We’re seeking Deeptech ventures with global impact potential and scaling ambitions. Our next cohort focuses on ‘Future of Compute’ – breakthrough products & services combining advanced hardware and digital technologies.
Ideal candidates are:
- • Netherlands-based
• Led by a dedicated full-time founder team and minimum 10+ FTE
• Have a Problem Solution Fit (PSF), progressing towards Product Market Fit (PMF)
• Initially funded (min. €4.5M), seeking significant capital
• Developing breakthrough Deeptech (scientific or technology-based)
• Aligned with the cohort’s theme
• Driven by a founder mentality (growth mindset, ambition, willingness to give back and be challenged by peers and seasoned entrepreneurs)
• Ready to transition from successful pilot to commercial deployment
![i-b46Z8qh-X3 (1)](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/i-b46Z8qh-X3-1.jpg)
Programme Structure
![2024 -2025 FOC](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-2025-FOC-1.png)
Meet our Pole Position alumi:
Trailblazers in Deeptech
Challengers & Experts
from previous cohorts
![Dinko-Valerio-400x400 Harrold](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dinko-Valerio-400x400-1.jpg)
Dinko Valerio
Founder & former CEO of Crucell
![Hamed Sadeghian CEO Nearfield Instrument](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hamed-Sadeghian-CEO-Nearfield-Instrument.jpeg)
Hamed Sadeghian
CEO Nearfield Instruments
![corinne vigreux](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/corinne-vigreux.jpeg)
Corinne Vigreux
Co-Founder TomTom
![arno ariborne](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/arno-ariborne.jpeg)
Arno van Mourik
CEO Airborne
![csm_Fabrizio_del_Maffeo_Axelera_2fa56e040a](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/csm_Fabrizio_del_Maffeo_Axelera_2fa56e040a.jpg)
Fabrizio del Maffeo
Co-Founder & CEO Axelera
![Eline van Beest](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Eline-van-Beest.jpg)
Eline van Beest
CEO Hybridize Therapeutics
![artworks-000271415645-7o37sb-t500x500](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/artworks-000271415645-7o37sb-t500x500.jpg)
Olivier Heyning
Co-Founder & former CEO of Lumicks
![1646858256379](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1646858256379.jpeg)
Tim Knotnerus
CEO AgomAb
![Soukaina Adnane](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Soukaina-Adnane.jpg)
Soukaina Adnane-Murphy
Founder Onera Health
![josburgerceoultimaker-699039-2-Middel-1024x682](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/josburgerceoultimaker-699039-2-Middel-1024x682-1.jpg)
Jos Burger
Founder Ultimaker
![d186bb35b1fe8caebb0815685c8c1321](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/d186bb35b1fe8caebb0815685c8c1321-1.jpg)
Krijn de Nood
![richard visser Harrold](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/richard-visser.jpeg)
Richard Visser
Founder SMART Photonics
![fe3540d8-e5d9-438c-a9d4-5be7b3c6c709_medium Harrold](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/fe3540d8-e5d9-438c-a9d4-5be7b3c6c709_medium.jpg)
Susanne Schorsch
Partner Amadeus Capital
![Portraits-18-oktober-2018-54](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Portraits-18-oktober-2018-54.jpg)
Menno van Dijk
![LR_2-scaled-e1689841885136 Harrold](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LR_2-scaled-e1689841885136.jpg)
Lise Rechsteiner
Gen. Partner VSquared Ventures
![Rene de Vries Founder Aito](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Rene-de-Vries-Founder-Aito.jpeg)
Rene de Vries
Founder Aito
![Johan-Feenstra-20181121-_H3C9630-10x10x300dpi Harrold](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Johan-Feenstra-20181121-_H3C9630-10x10x300dpi.jpg)
Johan Feenstra
CEO Smart Photonics
![ton](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ton.jpeg)
Ton van ’t Noordende
Meet the team
![Coffee Bean](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Webfoto-09.png)
Lech Bakhuizen van den Brink
Programme Manager
![Coffee Bean](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Webfoto-10.png)
Iris Visser
Project Manager
![Coffee Bean](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Webfoto-13.png)
Peter Maarten Westerhout
Director Deeptech
![Coffee Bean](https://www.getinpoleposition.nl/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/annemieke-11.png)
Annemieke Wisse
Deeptech Capital Lead
How do I apply
To apply, fill in the application form.
Once you submit your application, your candidature will be thoroughly reviewed by a group of experts. Eventually, we will select fifteen ventures that will be invited to pitch and do a Q&A in front of the selection committee on October 8th, 2024.
Application deadline September 23rd 2024.
Selection day October 8th 2024.
You will get an answer on their decision ultimately on October 9th.
What are the costs?
We do not seek equity. There are no participation costs involved besides your full commitment. We aim to build a thriving (deeptech) startup & scale community and therefore we do ask you to give back. For both Pole Position and this community, we believe that the more effort you put in the more you will get out of it. Let’s make an impact together!
What is the selection process?
Once you submit your application, your candidature will be thoroughly reviewed by a group of experts. Eventually, we will select fifteen ventures that will be invited to pitch and do a Q&A in front of the selection committee on October 8th, 2024.
You will get an answer on their decision on October 9th 2024. Once selected you will be part of the greater Techleap community of serial entrepreneurs, investors and other ecosystem stakeholders.
What is Pole Position’s added value?
With the Pole Position Programme we will help you, as a deeptech venture, to bridge the so-called 'valley of death' with its complex obstacles. This includes expert support, peer-to-peer and role-model learning (with tough love) and access to an extensive and (sector specific) relevant network including great (intern)national exposure. Summarised:
- The benefit of getting challenged by experts and experienced founders that are already ahead of the race.
- The benefit of Techleap’s network of high quality experts, including policymakers, top-notch entrepreneurs and other ecosystem stakeholders.
- You will gain (facilitated) exposure for your company on Techleap's channels.
- You’ll learn from like-minded entrepreneurs through our peer-to-peer sessions, ignited by theme specific role models.
Do you run the Pole Position initiative for startups from all industries?
Yes, however, we focus on specific themes to create added value among peers and address similar challenges. The upcoming (7th) theme will be focused on the 'Future of Compute'.
In case you are interested in joining the initiative but do not fit our upcoming batch, please contact us via deeptech@techleap.nl
In case you are interested in contributing with your knowledge and experience (as a entrepreneur) feel free to reach out to our Programme manager via lech@techleap.nl
Still more questions?
We are happy to answer them!
For general questions reach out via deeptech@techleap.nl For specific questions reach out via lech@techleap.nl.