What is pole position?
Pole Position is an initiative for ambitious deeptech entrepreneurs who want to make an impact. In a safe, active environment startup founders of early-stage deeptech ventures discuss their growth challenges during tailor-made sessions led by experienced entrepreneurs & key stakeholders.
A new round for Pole Position, focused on Healthtech, is now open for applicants. Deadline for registration is August 30, 2022.
In short
Being a deeptech entrepreneur can be challenging. Developing your complex technology, while already accessing the market, raising money ahead of traction and growing your business at the same time, require a high level of ambition, focus, and endurance. With Pole Position we will give you insights, help you to bring the right focus, link you to like-minded peers and experienced entrepreneurs and push you in the direction of pole position.
Who is the programme for?
We select deeptech companies that are aiming to get product-market fit and are speeding up towards a series A funding. Their newly developed technology must have proof of concept and thorough market validation.
The criteria
Your company should
- Fit the healthtech theme
- Have a dedicated founders team
- Have a scientific, technological basis
- Have a TRL 4+
- Have found your problem-solution fit
- Have found your beachhead market
- Have initial funding (grants/ seed/ pre-series A)
The intake sessions will take place 19 – 23 September 2022.
Getting deeptech stars
ahead of the race
Pole Position has a thematic approach, bringing together startup founders with similar focus areas such as Health, Agri & Food, Hightech & Materials, Energy, Logistics and Construction. Agri & Food will be the theme for the second batch starting spring 2022.
- You will be connected with other top deeptech startups in the same life phase, within your sector or theme.
- You will become part of a national community of like-minded ambitious entrepreneurs.
- You will gain access to the Techleap.nl platform with the best (inter)national experts and serial entrepreneurs in the field.
This will be the next step of your entrepreneurial journey. The Pole Position programme is a joint initiative of the leading Dutch deeptech incubators – ‘Incubators United’ – and Techleap.nl.
Planning – the main phases
What does the programme offer?
Pre-phase
Intake
In preparation of the programme you will have to be selected by the committee, after which you will have an intake call with the Pole Position team.
Phase I
Insight
This first part of the programme focuses on the individual track, getting insights by 1 on 1 sessions with experts, assessments and all about visioning a great business. This will be done during the kick-off days.
Phase II
Focus
Four group sessions together with the other peers to learn from each other and get the focus you need. Topics like Market Access, Team and Leadership, Business models and funding will be discussed.
Phase III
Action
All the knowledge, shared learning and insights will have to be put into practice. Through some individual coaching tracks and a final ecosystem day.
What’s next
Timeline Pole Position Healthtech 2022
Intakes
19 – 23 September
Kick-off days
6 – 7 October
Pit stop 1
10 – 14 October
Session 1
1 November
Session 2
8 November
Session 3
22 November
Session 4
29 November
Pit stop 2
12 – 16 December
Experts in healthtech
Alain le Loux
Partner at Dutch-American deeptech VC firm Cottonwood Technology Fund
Chretien Herben
Mentor for startups and scale-ups in Life Sciences, Biotech, Medtech and Cleantech
Dinko Valerio
Scientist-turned-entrepreneur, founder & former CEO of Crucell, mentor
Fenna Heyning
Jaap Maljers
Business man with a strong social drive, entrepreneur & investor in health care
Jan Hunik
Building business in Biotechnology, Food and Biomedical materials
Sjaak Vink
Founder The Social Network, on a mission to give everyone access to the best medicines
What participants say about Pole Position
Upcoming batches
In 2022 the Pole Position programme will start another three batches (themes per batch to be announced).
The application dates are:
July 13
Batch 3 – Healthtech
October 6
Batch 4 – Smart Industry
Interested in another theme e.g. Hightech & Materials, Cleantech, Circular Economy?
Make sure to leave your email address to stay informed of the latest news and application openings.
“Pole Position has the power to build something that creates impact. Creating a movement that results in a greater community on a national level that I want to be part of.”
Patrick de Boer – Aiosyn
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.
Meet the team
Annemieke Wisse
Programme Manager
Iris Visser
Project Manager
Lech Bakhuizen van den Brink
Batch Manager
Natasja Marchese
Batch Manager
Peter Maarten Westerhout
Lead Deeptech community