Become a co-founder
We bring together skilled individuals and advanced technologies to build deep-tech ventures that tackle grand societal challenges. Our unique co-founder selection process ensures the right entrepreneurial talent is matched with groundbreaking hardware technologies. It matters because with the right people and technology, we can make a profound positive impact on the world.
Become a co-founder
Elegibility Criteria
Who should apply?
You have the right mindset
You can be a CEO, CTO, CBO, or simply someone with an entrepreneurial mindset and you’re ready to take on a new challenge.
You’re driven by deep-tech
You have a genuine passion for deep-tech innovation and are eager to turn complex technology into real-world impact.
You’ve got time to build.
In the first phase you can commit at least 20 hours a week ,, to shape and grow a venture from the ground up.

Deadline
When should you sign up?
We are actively recruiting for our Fall Cohort 2025. Apply Now!
- Application deadline: October 2025
Recipe
Application Process
Questionnaire
Fill in our questionnaire
Time to build your venture
Available opportunities
Solving society’s hardest challenges
Join ventures building real solutions
The problem
Air pollution in industrial settings
Biofouling on underwater surfaces
Cognitive decline and mental wellness
Corrosion and erosion in energy infrastructure
Excess atmospheric CO₂ contributing to climate change
High costs and inefficiencies in hydrogen production
High incidence of pressure ulcers in immobilized patients
High-speed, secure backhaul connectivity in dense urban areas
Inefficient and limited laser marking capabilities
Inefficient gas sensing in agriculture
Inefficient material characterization hindering recycling efforts
Lack of actionable vehicle telematics data
Limitations in traditional SMT manufacturing processes
Limitations of current imaging techniques in diagnosing knee conditions under load or motion
Low-precision motion tracking in VR
Mental stress and performance in athletes
Need for durable, custom control interfaces
Need for purpose-driven tech solutions
Pain and stress in pre-term infants due to intrusive monitoring
Running injuries due to poor form
Undetected issues in EV battery packs
Unsustainable data center power consumption
Our Venture’s solution
Industrial air cleaning system mimicking Earth’s natural self-cleaning
UVC light-emitting coating for eco-friendly biofouling protection
Digital therapy via sensory stimulation and profiling
Integrated photonic sensors for real-time monitoring
Fast-swing thin film technology for direct air capture of CO₂
Membraneless electrolyser technology for efficient green hydrogen production
Textile-integrated optical fiber sensors for continuous, non-invasive pressure and temperature monitoring
Free Space Optics (FSO) systems for wireless backhaul communication
Innovative laser technology for faster, eco-friendly, high-precision marking
Photonic gas sensors for optimized agricultural operations
Innovative technologies for complex material characterization
End-to-end IoT platform for connected vehicles
Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LiFT) technology for stencil-free SMT manufacturing
High-resolution ultrasound tomography scanner enabling dynamic knee imaging during motion
High-fidelity glove-based finger tracking for VR and mocap
Neurofeedback tech to enhance mental performance
Custom engineered user interface manufacturing solutions
Software development specializing in exponential technologies
Wireless, non-intrusive vital signs monitoring device for NICUs
Smart insoles that analyze gait and guide performance
Diagnostics tool using hardware and ML to ensure battery health
Photonics-powered infrastructure for green data centers
What we offer to our founders
Our unique recipe
Team & Talent development
Co-founder matching: Together, we will find the right co-founder to complete your high-performing startup team.
Team dynamics support: Active team dynamics coaching and support in the development of your high-performing team.
Business coaching: Hands-on, weekly business coaching to accelerate venture development.
Storytelling and pitch training: Extensive coaching in storytelling, stage presence, pitching, and media training to be ready to sell your story in any setting.
Get in touch Become a co-founder
Tech & Resources
Access to advanced technologies: Access to disruptive technologies from world-renowned universities, research institutes, and corporates.
Legal support: Professional legal support for all internal and external interactions.
Program Partner support: Free of charge first line support from Program Partners such as EP&C, PWC, Innovencio, Holland Innovative, RVO, Alien.TT, and more to come!
Office Space and amenities: Join our open community of fellow entrepreneurs, and enjoy our office space complete with everything you need: coffee, internet, and sunlight!

Ecosystem & Growth opportunities
Mentorship and Expert Network: Wide network of mentors and experts for entrepreneurial, business, and technological support.
Marketing and communication support: Marketing and Communication support tailored to the stage your startup is in.
High-Tech ecosystem access: Access to a world-renowned high-tech ecosystem located in the High Tech Campus, in Brainport region.
Investor network access: Access to a large deep tech investor network for all types of investment rounds.

Videos
Alumni Success Stories

Luis Pedro Oliveira
Director & Co-founder at Aircision
Watch video
Read full story
Han Dirkx & Jur Vellema
CEO & Co- founder at Alphabeats
Watch video
Read full story
Hans De Neve
CEO & Co- founder of Carbyon
Watch video
Read full story
Efrat Avnet & Hans Buurman
CEO & CTO of Inner
Watch video
Read full story
Robert van Tankeren, Martijn Boerkamp
CEO & CTO at inPhocal
Watch video
Read full story
Rick Jongen
CEO and Co-founder of Spectrik
Watch video
Read full story
Eric Thelen
CEO and Co-founder of VitalWear
Watch video
Read full storyDo you want to become a founder?
Get in touch

Reach out to our Recruiter
- We’ll get back to you within 5 working days
- Get in touch with the right person for the job
- We’ll happily guide you on how to get involved
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The co-founder pool is the name that we assigned to the group of talents that are getting ready to start the next program. Once you are in the cofounder pool, you will receive access to the basic information of all the other talents in the pool, this way you can arrange your own interactions with them. In addition to that, you will be invited to Meet and Greets, private and open events that will help you to learn more about potential partnerships, HighTechXL and the deep-tech startup ecosystem.
The program is 9 – 12 months. Phase 1 is 3 months, Phase 2 is 3 months, Phase 3 is 3 to 6 months.
When you want to start your journey as one of the co-founders in the HighTechXL venture builder program, the first step is to fill in the co-founder questionnaire. After that, we will contact you to start the assessment process. We will have a first introductory meeting, followed up with a 1-1 interview. If you have a technical profile, we will invite you to a final interview with one of the experts from the HighTechXL tech team. After receiving a positive feedback from the assessment process, you will be invited to be part of the co-founder pool.
As a starting point, we ask co-founders to be available at least 20 hours per week during working hours (9:00–17:00, Monday to Friday). After the first gate, we expect to gradually increase to full-time availability.
The program is hybrid. For three weeks each month, you may work from HighTechXL’s office space or from any location that works best for you and your team. One week per month is designated as Sprint Week, during which all co-founders are required to be physically present at the office.
You will benefit from tailored guidance across nine key performance indicators (KPIs): business model, communication, finance, sustainability, market, team, technology, supply chain, and legal.
This assistance is delivered through 1-on-1 business consultations, personalized coaching sessions, workshops, masterclasses, sprint weeks, 360 reviews, partner office hours, and more. All the support is adapted to the current stage of your venture.
Sure, new ideas/ technologies are always welcome. However, HighTechXL Tech team has their own assessment process regarding potential new ideas. If this is the case for you, we will facilitate a template for you to fill in and we will stablish contact with the Tech Team. They will review and assess your information and come back to you with a decision.
Please note that this process can take a couple of weeks.