• Deep-Tech Venture Builder
  • From Lab to Market
  • Based in Brainport Eindhoven
  • Co-founders Wanted
  • Global Impact Startups
  • Join the Deep-Tech League

Our Program

Explore our Venture Building Program designed to turn deep-tech innovations into successful startups.

Offers

What we offer

At HighTechXL, we empower entrepreneurs to build ventures that solve grand societal challenges. Our 12-month Venture Building Program gives you the tools, support, and ecosystem to bring groundbreaking technology to market and to do it with confidence.

Apply now
  • Structured venture building approach
  • Hands-on support from experts and industry leaders
  • Access to a powerful Ecosystem

*numbers shown are from Q2 2025

Numbers

Our success in numbers

94+

Ventures created

35%

Survival rate

400+

Guiding Experts

25+

Different nationalities

€ 171M

Raised in funding

3000+

New jobs created

Stuctured venture building approach with our Venture Journey©

You have the drive, we have the expertise

The HighTechXL Venture Building Program immerses you in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where aspiring founders collaborate, learn, and build breakthrough deep-tech ventures.
You’ll experience hands-on coaching, intense sprint weeks, and deep collaboration with world-class experts and industry leaders, all designed to accelerate your startup’s growth.

What makes our Venture Building program unique?

Our level of commitment

Structured venture building

Follow our proven 3-phase approach using the Venture Journey©, a digital platform that helps you build a robust proposition across 9 key dimensions from market to team to tech.

Weekly hands-on support

Work closely with our Program Manager, Entrepreneurs in Residence, and expert coaches during business 1-on-1s.

Sprint Weeks for acceleration

Each month, you’ll spend one focused week on-site for intensive workshops, partner sessions, and 360 reviews

Access to top industry partners

Be guided by the top experts in our network: PwC, KPMG, TNO, ASML and  more during partner office hours and Gate Moments.

Timeline

How does the program work?

What you get?

A clear path to building an investor-ready venture

Startup Coaching & Strategic Alignment

✔️ Business 1-on-1s
Weekly sessions to refine your value proposition, validate assumptions, and align business and tech strategy.

✔️ Team 1-on-1s
Monthly coaching to help you shape a high-performing, collaborative, founder team.

✔️ 360 Reviews
Structured feedback from HighTechXL and industry experts to strengthen every part of your venture.

Skills, Knowledge & Networking

✔️ Workshops (20+ per cohort)
Interactive sessions led by internal and external experts covering business, tech, team, and market-building essentials and pitch practice.

✔️ Lunch and Learn

Learn from experienced Alumni and entrepreneurs  who’ve walked the path before you.

✔️ Events

Career Expos, Investor’s Day,  ExperienceXL  and more

Milestones & Venture Execution

✔️ Gate Moments
Phase-end reviews to assess progress, challenge your strategy, and decide your next steps.

✔️ Deliverables via Venture Journey©
Our proprietary platform tracks progress, guides your work, and prepares you to meet investor expectations by Gate 3.

Contact

Get in touch

Ximena Cortes Gaviria

Manager of Recruitment

Because the world’s greatest challenges demand bold collaboration.

  • 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 program is 9 – 12 months. Phase 1 is 3 months, Phase 2 is 3 months, Phase 3 is 3 to 6 months.

A strong Team (including a business focused founder, and a founder with the right technical knowledge) that has found a viable Market Opportunity which can be addressed with a Technology.

The goal of Phase 2 is a fully developed business case for the venture. This includes a Validated Problem in the market, combined with a Validated Product concept to solve the problem and a Validated Business Model.

The focus of Phase 3 is becoming Investor-ready. A validated business and final model are necessary to start discussions with investors. The venture also moves to create a Tangible Prototype, or technical proof-of-concept. All brought together in a effective Investor pitch and a complete data room.

The program is ran out of the HighTechXL office on the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, building HTC 27.

Yes, you can join the HighTechXL Program from anywhere in the Netherlands. Your weekly meetings can be hybrid (online or in-person). However, once a month you must make sure you are at the HighTechXL’s offices for the Sprint Weeks, since in-person attendance is mandatory.

It is possible, nevertheless, some Legal requirements might apply to each case. Please investigate how to be a founder in a startup incorporated in the Netherlands. Note: Sprint Weeks attendance in-person is mandatory.

No, you will not be paid to join the HighTechXL Program. There will be possibilities for remuneration via investments and subsidies.

No, that’s not possible. Once per month (except during Dutch school holidays), all co-founders are required to be at the HighTechXL office to join the Sprint Week activities. Attendance is mandatory and remote participation is not allowed.

It is a possibility, but you must check with your employer, if they agree. There is legislation regarding dual employment in the Netherlands. Secondly, it’s important for you to do a self-check: “Can I sustainably carve out 16 hours a week (at least partially) during office hours to work on my venture next to my full-time job?” If the answer to that is “yes,” and if your employer agrees, then you can join the program.

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