Pole Position

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.

Techleap

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 startups 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 Smart Industry, starting this Spring 2023

Techleap

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.

Join Pole Position
Techleap

The criteria

Your company should:

  • Scientific or technological basis
  • Dedicated founder team 
  • Problem solution fit 
  • TRL 4+ (at least technical prototype) 
  • Have initial funding (such as grants, pre-seed, seed, series A)
  • Fit the Smart Industry theme

The selection day will take place on April 19th. The programme will start on May 8th.

Join the programme

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. Applications are currently closed. 

    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. You will get an answer on their decision 2 days after. 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... In case you are interested in joining the initiative but do not fit any of these batches, please contact our Batch manager, Lech, at lech@techleap.nl or leave your contact details here.

    Join the initiative
  • We are happy to answer them! Please reach out to our Batch manager at lech@techleap.nl.