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Pole Position

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  • Techleap

  • What is Pole Position?

    Pole Position is an initiative for ambitious deeptech entrepreneurs who want to make an impact. In a safe environment, founders of pre-scale deeptech startups discuss their growth challenges during tailor-made sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and scaling experts. We are looking for deeptech ventures with a focus on Greentech (Climate, Carbon, Cleantech & Circularity) to join us. Application deadline: September 11th, 2023

In short

Being a deeptech entrepreneur can be challenging. 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.

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Getting deeptech stars ahead of the race

Pole Position is a joint initiative of a group of Dutch incubators – ‘Incubators United’ – and Techleap.nl. The programme will help a batch of 10 deep tech ventures grow and facilitate connections, peer-to-peer learning, and access to the best experts. Pole Position has a thematic approach, bringing together startups with similar focus areas from Health to Energy & Logistics. Upcoming theme will be Greentech (Climate, Carbon, Cleantech & Circularity), starting this Fall 2023.

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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.

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The criteria

Your company should:

  • Scientific or technological basis
  • Dedicated founder team
  • Found your problem solution fit
  • TRL 4+ (at least technical prototype)
  • Have initial funding (such as grants, pre-seed, seed, series A)
  • Fit the Greentech (Climate, Carbon, Cleantech & Circularity) theme

The selection day will take place on September 28th. The programme starts October 9th.

Join the programme

Main phases

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  • 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 : Assess

    This first part of the programme will consist out of assessing, getting to know and prepping you and your company by means of a scale scan, 1 on 1 sessions with our pitcrew and 2 kick-off days offsite.

  • Phase II : Insight

    In four group sessions together with scale founders, serial (deeptech) entrepreneurs and experts you will work on your challenges and get insights on where to focus on as a company and to define the critical focus for after the programme.

  • Phase III : Boost & Connect

    All the knowledge, tough love, shared learnings and insights will help you in your journey to global impact. In the period after the programme you will be supported by the Techleap platform and the BOLD community.

What our partners & participants say

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  • Stefan Braam, Startup incubation lead at Utrechtinc

    "When our startups reach growth-stage in their entrepreneurial journey the role of the founders changes and their needs become more specific. These startups need access to the right level of specific and nationwide support that local ecosystems just can't offer on their own."

  • Robert van der Heijden, Program Director YES!Delft

    "At YES!Delft, we commit to our startups for the long-term and Pole Position is an exciting initiative for our community. On a national level, we connect ambitious tech startup founders to peers and seasoned entrepreneurs from the same industry to address specific challenges and get in pole position for growth."

  • Mike Verkouter - Manager Startup Acceleration at Novel-T

    "Overcoming growth challenges for deeptech startup founders isn't a local issue. It needs the best (inter)national experts, links to proper peers, and coaching from experienced (serial) entrepreneurs. With Pole Position, it's time to embrace these entrepreneurs on a national scale."

  • Patrick de Boer, Aiosyn (participant Health batch 2021)

    “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.”

  • Selina Tirtajana, CEO at SOVN

    Best time investment of the year. Top notch mentorship, networking and support from industry experts and veterans. The program inspires me to dream big and prepares us for the next stage of our startup journey.

FAQ

  • 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 startups that will be invited to pitch and do a Q&A in front of the selection committee.

    Apply now

  • 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!

    Get ahead of the race with Pole Position

  • 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 the 28th of September.

    You will get an answer on their decision on the 29th of September.

    Once selected you will be part of the greater Techleap community of serial entrepreneurs, investors and other ecosystem stakeholders.

    Join Pole Position

  • 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. Pole Position will help you to gain insights and focus to take action on the right exit strategy, whether this is an acquisition or a scalable growth path. This includes expert support, peer2peer and role-model learning, and access to an extensive and (sector-specific) relevant network including great (inter)national exposure.

    Summarised:

    • The benefit of 13 collaborating Dutch public incubators and their networks, their proximity to research and scientific facilities, and their startup expertise.
    • The benefit of techleap.nl’s network of high-quality experts, including policymakers, top-notch entrepreneurs, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
    • We facilitate company exposure via techleap.nl and incubators' media channels. 
    • You’ll learn from like-minded entrepreneurs through our peer-to-peer sessions, ignited by theme-specific role models.
    Become part of Pole Position

  • Yes, however, we focus on specific themes to create added value among peers and address similar challenges. For example, we did focus on Agri & Food, Health, Smart industry and now Greentech (Climate, Carbon, Cleantech & Circularity). In case you are interested in joining the initiative but do not fit any of these batches, please contact our Programme manager, Lech, at lech@techleap.nl.

    Join the initiative

  • We are happy to answer them! Please reach out to our Programme manager at lech@techleap.nl.

Meet the team

  1. Techleap

    Lech Bakhuizen van den Brink

    Batch Manager Pole Position
  2. Techleap

    Peter Maarten Westerhout

    Deeptech
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Scale your company with Rise!

Rise is an exclusive scaling programme for serious players. Your one-time opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs and discuss growth challenges and get deep insights from top entrepreneurs such as Michiel Muller (Picnic) or Jitse Groen (Takeaway.com). 

Are you ready to Rise? Are you ready to Rise?
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