Robbert van GeldropPartner at Firmhouse & Lean Startup Circle NL
Twitter: @rvangeldrop | [email protected]
firmhouse.com
Vision
Startups easily turn into expensive hobbies. We believe the world needs more healthy and stable businesses, fewer all-or-nothing moonshots. Building these businesses is hard work, therefore everyone gets a piece of the potential success.
From CB Insights: https://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2016/03/02/top-20-reasons-why-startups-fail-infographic/#589b35e83911
A VENTURING PROGRAM FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Healthy businessesLearn about problems to solve
before starting up and committing to the wrong product.
Form the right team Work with each other and get
guidance on forming a complete team.
Explore optionsTry out multiple things. Run
them as small projects. Team up with fellow participants.
• Important precursor to the infamous product/market fit
• Deep knowledge of a market, technology or both
• Advanced skills to make things happen, for example:
• Being able to code, design or copywrite
• Natural sales person
• Bias towards action - you produce stuff
• Ideally you have domain expertise and advanced skills
Idea/founder fit:
• Entrepreneurial people - who are very good at multiple things
• Learner’s mindset - understand that an idea needs to evolve by learning
from customers and their problems
• Makers - they create things as a measure of progress
Who are we looking for:
A PROGRAM FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR
Tailored educationNo fixed program, but
calibrated to the needs of the participants
Small mentor poolHandpicked mentors follow
you intensely
3 months of runway1200 euro cash in hand each month to cover cost of living
• Producing useful software which solves hard business problems • Utilize technologies like Machine Learning, Blockchain or Mixed Reality • Learn to execute in small projects and experiments before committing
to an idea, product or a startup • A mix of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs - we will allow for max 3
corporate teams to participate in the program
Program focus:
Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Cycle 5 Cycle 6 Cycle 7Cycle 1 Cycle 8
First bi-weekly check-in Share first progress
1-week onboarding Focus teams, set goals and
prepare for first check-in
Form teams Investor lunch
Kick-off next batch
Closing Event
Program setup & flowOperates in cycles of two weeks, year round.
4-5 on boarding moments for new teams.
2 weeks
Workshop Duration Description
Business modeling Half day Learn how to use Business Model Canvas
Business 101 Full day How to setup and structure a business
Agile & Lean Startup Full day Learn about Agile and Lean Startup to work iteratively
Customer Development Half day How to talk to customers to learn the most from them
Experiment Design Full day How to test your ideas and riskiest assumptions
• No fixed program • Onboard & calibrate in the first week of the program • Dedicated and experienced mentors • Bi-weekly check-ins to share progress with peers
What makes our program different:
1. Participants report to each other on their progress in two week increments
2. Check-ins are meant to create accountability and focus, mentors might be involved to structure conversations and stay in the loop
3. Consider projects which you want to collaborate on with other participants and/or outsiders
4. Model has been proven to generate good focus and alignment on progress of the internal ventures at Firmhouse
The bi-weekly check-in
• Instead of relying on demo-day for pitching to a big crowd of investors we organise lunches with pre-selected investors.
• We will hold a Closing Event. This will be a conference at the VentureCafe in which participants can share their learnings.
Investors lunches
WE INVEST IN REVENUE FOCUSED BUSINESSES,SOFTWARE AS KEY COMPONENT
Early revenueTeams have paying customers or are days away from closing
significant deals.
Team committedFounding team is committed
full-time and have all the skills to build their company.
Only B2BWe only invest in businesses
that sell their software product to businesses.
Diederik DolkDealmaker & investor
Robbert van GeldropEntrepreneur & investor
Investors
Has a background in corporate venturing for a large energy company and has invested in 5 startups to date, including Storegear and SHIPX.
Sold his software company to Acronis and is now a shareholder in Firmhouse. Robbert will operate the program and guide the entrepreneurs.
Paul BakkerAdvisor & Investor
Paul spearheaded the development of the Crypto department at Fox-IT. After 7 years he focussed on building PolarSSL which was acquired by ARM in 2014.
1. Incorporate your business with help of Firmhouse in return for 5% of the company
2. Get additional investments from Firmhouse’ partners • At least 50k euro from Firmhouse own investors • Additional money from other investors if possible and needed
3. Continue without us, no strings attached
Options at end of the program
1. €50.000+ investment for substantial minority share 2. Firmhouse Venture Lab will help you set up your company properly 3. Continued mentoring and support
Investment offer to qualifying teams