Start your business wherever you are
Are you ready to make your business idea a reality with our support?
Program Overview
We offer a full incubator program for entrepreneurs with a refugee background, taking you from an early-stage business idea to the start of your company. The program consists of three steps:
- Digital Entrepreneurship Program
- Core Incubator Program
- Aftercare Program
1. Digital Entrepreneurship Program
January 2021 – March 2021
This program is open to anyone with a refugee background and the focus is on entrepreneurship knowledge and principles. We deliver you valuable content on Business & Entrepreneurship Literacy, Digital Skills, and Cultural Understanding through our online academy. Our courses can be completed through online learning at your own pace and wherever you are. Our weekly progress meetings and online community provide regular feedback, Q&A, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
2. Core Incubator
March 2021 – July 2021
A selection of those who successfully complete the Digital Entrepreneurship Program with a strong business concept are seleted to join our core incubator program. In this program, the emphasis will be on getting your business off the ground through dedicated workshops and teamwork. You will be teamed up with one business coach and two student consultants who will support you to accelerate your progress. Tailored workshops with experts and our coroprate partners complete this program.
Month #1
The core incubator program starts with a matchmaking event where you will meet your business coach and student consultants, who will be composing your team for the next 4 months.
The goal is to quickly define your critical assumptions and set up experiments to start testing your business.
Months #2 & #3
The goal in these months is to find a problem-solution fit.
Month #4
The goal of this month is to have a first, real customer and deliver a strong pitch on Demo Day.
Finally, you will set clear targets with your team for a clear path ahead.
Months #5 to #10
The goal during these months is that you become an independent entrepreneur.
3. Aftercare Program
July 2021 – December 2021
After successful completion of the incubator you have the chance to be selected for the aftercare program. In the aftercare program, you will get support by the Forward Incubator team for a limited amount of time per month in order to further help you grow your business.
Our Recipe for Success
- To ensure your success you will work with a team of a business coach, two student consultants, and a facilitator from Forward Incubator
- You will attend workshops organised by professional experts, corporate partners, and experienced entrepreneurs
- We provide you with a localised network and cultural understanding
- From day one you are a member of a vibrant startup community
Forward Team
More than seven full time members of the Core Forward Incubator Team will assist you with your business on a weekly basis by providing you with strategic guidance and regular feedback. They have experience in setting up businesses in a wide range of sectors, from international trade to social enterprises.
Accredited Training
Trainers will give you workshops in the program. We have trainers that give workshops on lean startup, business plan writing, marketing, legal and tax, pitching, finance, investments, personal skills, cross cultural communication, and negotiation.
Business Coaches
Our program offers 1 on 1 coaching by one of the 30 selected experienced professionals. Coaches will provide you with strategic guidance, network, and personal feedback.
Student Consultants
Student consultants will work with you for 8-12 hours a week for three months. You will have weekly meetings with them, where you discuss progress and challenges. They will assist you on topics like marketing, finance, sales and much more.
Expert Support
Forward Incubator offers an expert support network that can help you with challenges on a variety of topics: law, finance, sales, and marketing. Example experts are: Sthree, DLA Piper, Mazars, Dentons, Heidrick & Struggles, Heineken, Philips and many more.
Municipalities
Forward Incubator facilitates the relationship between you and your municipality. This means that we keep in touch with your case manager and assist in filing a BBZ-social welfare application.
Our Past Participants
Forward Incubator has over 2 years of experience with helping entrepreneurs with a refugee background to set up their business in the Netherlands. We have successfully launched over 43 businesses thus far. Listen to what our previous participants have to say about our program:
Blaise - Participant 2019
“After this program someone feels like they have been in the Netherlands for 10 years; because whatever questions you may have, you know who you can ask.”
Murat - Participant 2019
“The program increased my self esteem for a new beginning in Netherlands. I am introduced to many new people through the program.”
Sign up for our program
Our next program will take place starting:
- September 2021