By leveraging our innovative venture studio model, Next Big Thing empowers talented, ambitious, and experienced entrepreneurs to co-found and build technology startups from scratch.
Over twelve weeks, you’ll create a high-level business plan to demonstrate the value proposition and technical product development of your venture before the founding stage.
Get a head start to success. You'll have access to a number of startup resources, a €5k testing budget, a co-working space plus equipment, and a €50k yearly salary (pro-rata).
You’ll be working directly with our team of experts, each of whom will bring deep industry, investment, and entrepreneurial experience to help co-found your company.
Follow a structured framework to successfully apply for our program.
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We’re looking for exceptional ideas that challenge existing industry norms. These ideas should have the potential for exponential growth through the use of innovative business concepts and cutting-edge technologies.
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Your first step is to hit the apply button on our website. The application process requires you to submit your resume, pitch deck, and you must complete a series of questions (e.g. leadership experience, future personal goals, etc.).
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We evaluate each submission based on several factors including how well you use data and analysis processes to guide the industry problem, the viability of your strategy, and your overall quality of work.
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Generally, around 30% of applicants are invited to interview with our team. We usually conduct two 45-minute interviews; one on your ability and personality as a prospective founder and another that focuses specifically on your business case.
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Once we’ve confirmed your place in the EiR program, we’ll send you some reading and onboarding material that includes all necessary contracts (standard terms) to set you up for the start of the program which typically begins the following month.
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Now that you’re in, the next twelve weeks will be one of the most exciting and intense experiences of your life. We’re rooting for you and will be helping you to achieve all of the necessary milestones to successfully co-found a venture with us.
Get hands-on support to fast-track the development of your idea.
Sprint 1 is about defining the business idea and conducting market research around the area that you want to explore.
Objectives
• Define the industry challenge
• Conduct a market analysis
• Start customer discovery process
Workshops
• Brainstorming
• Competitive Analysis
• Market Positioning Map
• Ecosystem Mapping
• Customer Profiles
Sprint 2 is about analyzing extensive user research from in-depth interviews to improve the future direction of the product.
Objectives
• Kick off the interview process
• Derive insights from user interviews
• Polish up personal branding
Workshops
• Customer Outreach
• Interview Discovery Process
• Bottom-Up Market Sizing
Sprint 3 is about defining the business model and product solution based on feedback received from potential customers.
Objectives
• Define the product space
• Develop the business model
• Get interim board conclusion
Workshops
• User Persona
• Customer Journey
• Prototype Mapping
• Value Proposition Design
• Business Model Canvas
Sprint 4 is about prototyping and verifying the viability of your design concept through different methods of evaluation.
Objectives
• Test prototype to refine ideas
• Build your go-to-market strategy
• Set-up sales process and plan
Workshops
• Prototyping
• Usability Tests
• Product Roadmap
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Target Audiences
Sprint 5 is about creating a detailed financial model as part of your business plan and securing LOIs from various partners.
Objectives
• Develop a financial model
• Write comprehensive business plan
• Prove traction with design partners
Workshops
• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Financial Modeling
• Operations Overview
Sprint 6 is about the final presentation to our board of directors who decide on the successful foundation of your venture.
Objectives (If Case is Approved)
• Start co-founder search
• Transition to venture building
• Foundation of your company
Workshops
• Legal Structures
• Business & Financial Plans
• Pitch Training Lessons
For every solution we co-create, we use state-of-the-art technologies
such as IoT, AI, and DLT that contribute to 3 key areas and work toward at least 5 of the 17 SDGs to deliver long-term environmental and societal benefits.
Internet of Things
(IoT)
IoT is bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms and is transforming a world of things into a world of data. By 2025, 73 billion devices will be connected to the internet.
Artificial Intelligence
(AI)
AI is validating transactions, providing authentication, and powering autonomous algorithms. AI could contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Distributed Ledger Technology
(DLT)
DLT is eliminating the need for a central authority and allows for the storage of all information using cryptography. Blockchain could add over $3 trillion in value by 2030.
From experienced business operators to technologists and serial entrepreneurs, we work with skilled founders regardless of their background or geography. No two founders will look or think alike but there are some general traits that we specifically look out for.
You are willing and able to keep on going even when you’re faced with obstacles. Tenacity and passion are part of what defines you but you’re also ready to learn from your mistakes to become a better leader.
You always find a window of opportunity when one door closes. You’re a self-starter and can motivate yourself and others to work towards a common vision. You set ambitious goals and have a successful track record in achieving them.
You display leadership qualities in building teams, recruiting, and strategic thinking. We’re also looking for individuals who have superpowers in the areas of engineering, design, product, business development, or sales.
Your unique industry perspective helps form the foundation of your company’s competitive advantage. We act as your committed technical co-founder but you should have a basic understanding of how to use technology in innovative ways to improve lives.
If your business case is selected after our 4-month program, you will co-found a company with
Next Big Thing AG where we will invest up to €1M in services and support to get you started.
As the leading venture studio in the Machine Economy, we have a strong industry voice with a global presence to support your entire entrepreneurial journey.
Our unparalleled network of corporate partners offers you access to key decision-makers and expert recommendations about GTM strategies that will help you reach new markets.
Equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing and prototyping tools, we provide you with the space and resources essential for the next generation of hardware development.
With seed capital, and the ability for founders to draw up to €60k in compensation per year, you can focus on your business case and move quickly into new markets.
Our teams help with business validation, assembling an experienced team, product development, and resources worth €400k to help you grow and scale your business.
With the foundation of the company, equity is split among each founder and Next Big Thing AG (majority ownership), plus VSOP options for future employees.
Meet us in person at one of our monthly events - looking forward to see you!
Internet of Things
(IoT)
IoT is bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms and is transforming a world of things into a world of data. By 2025, 73 billion devices will be connected to the internet.
Artificial Intelligence
(AI)
AI is validating transactions, providing authentication, and powering autonomous algorithms. AI could contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Distributed Ledger Technology
(DLT)
DLT is eliminating the need for a central authority and allows for the storage of all information using cryptography. Blockchain could add over $3 trillion in value by 2030.
No worries, you can watch the recorded versions here.
Yes, we require that you have an idea to apply for one of our key topic areas. We select forward-thinking founders who propose products or create meaningful innovations that solve real-world problems. Your idea doesn’t need to be perfect or validated yet—that’s why our EiR program was built—but we do want to see that you’ve carefully considered the possibilities of your idea. We care more about the potentialpotential of the business case and your desire to make an impact as a possible candidate.
We run three cohorts per year. While each cohort focuses on different topics, they all relate to the overarching theme of the Machine Economy and its associated technologies—the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The starting date for each cohort begins in February, June, and October, respectively. The final interview process takes place one month before the start of each new cohort so that you’re notified (if selected) two weeks before the start of the program.
Yes but you should have a basic understanding of how to use technology in innovative and transformative ways. If you don’t come from a technical background but have strong beliefs from working in industry, we’d welcome an application from you. Some of our most successful companies have been built by co-founders with a combination of technical and domain expertise but again, we care more about your passion and ambition.
Yes, you can still apply if you’ve received a very small investment or have been awarded a grant. However, depending on the arrangement, it does sometimes prevent us from being able to invest in your company and from offering you a place in the EiR program. We tend to deal with these situations on a case-by-case basis.
That’s great news! We’re happy to welcome two founders because this means that we can split the responsibilities from the very beginning with one founder focusing on product and the other on the sales and go-to-market side of things. But don't worry if you haven't found anyone yet. Our team spends hundreds of hours screening individuals to give you the best shot at finding the right co-founder with the right entrepreneurial spirit and domain expertise in your area of focus.
In the case you are not selected, it doesn’t mean that your entrepreneurial journey is over. You can always apply again for one of our next cohorts. Perhaps the information that you sent through wasn’t enough or the market opportunity of your case was too small. Either way, it’s a good opportunity to rethink your idea. In any case your profile will be added (if you’d like) to our co-founder pool and you will be notified if a new opportunity opens up.
Next Big Thing is based in Berlin and the people that we select relocate to join us from all over the world. There’s no obligation for you to stay in Berlin for the full duration of the EiR program (plus we’re in the middle of a pandemic) but you will need to be in Berlin for the incubation phase, when you raise your seed capital, and when it’s time grow your startup. Our entrepreneurs benefit the most when working in our offices with direct access to our expertise, knowledge and network which has a resounding influence on the success rate of the project.
If you don’t have the right to work in Germany, we are able to connect offer holders with immigration specialists who can support in your relocation and provide you with the visa options based on your personal circumstances. In general, we prefer candidates that already have the right to work and/or run a company in Germany.
Even if your idea doesn’t fit into the general mould of our suggested topics, if you think you have a great idea with significant potential that’s underpinned by advanced technologies — please apply via this link.
Just reach out! We’re always around to answer any questions.
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