<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/cb422597-f635-4c1b-b214-36510d8cf7fb/RE_Icons_Small_Black_ArrowRight.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/cb422597-f635-4c1b-b214-36510d8cf7fb/RE_Icons_Small_Black_ArrowRight.png" width="40px" /> Home
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<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/cb422597-f635-4c1b-b214-36510d8cf7fb/RE_Icons_Small_Black_ArrowRight.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/cb422597-f635-4c1b-b214-36510d8cf7fb/RE_Icons_Small_Black_ArrowRight.png" width="40px" /> This page will give you the full breakdown on what you can expect from the program. Our value proposition offers access to coaching & mentoring, network & community and visibility – without taking any equity or program fees.
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RESPOND is a six-month accelerator program focused on responsible leadership and transitioning toward a net-zero economy. The program is online first, allowing entrepreneurs from across the globe to participate. In addition to the online sessions, founders are invited to two in-person events across Europe: A 3-day leadership offsite and the RESPOND Demo Night.
At RESPOND, founders receive structured, highly individualized support for building and scaling businesses.
The startups selected will work with expert coaches to develop their businesses and leadership skills. Our pool of mentors will challenge and advise entrepreneurs on critical business and leadership decisions. Participants will be connected to a diverse global network of entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, and corporate leaders. Founders will be part of a mission-driven community and are invited to join the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network. We provide visibility through speaking opportunities, nominations, conference access, and media coverage.
We’re fully committed to scaling your impact. RESPOND is a non-profit entity – the program is therefore completely free of charge, and we don’t take any equity.
There are four essential building blocks to RESPOND’s value proposition to entrepreneurs:
The RESPOND Accelerator program is highly individualized and designed to cater to specific leadership, business, or impact challenges of every single entrepreneur in the cohort.
The program offers a curriculum that focuses on responsible leadership as well as impact and business topics in group sessions during the sprints. The business topics have a specific focus on fundraising and stage performance. In the individualized sessions, which complement the structured curriculum, you can choose from a pool of additional business sessions that are relevant for you. The core curriculum is structured in four sprints. For all other sessions, you’ll be able to align your sessions to your needs, both in terms of content and scheduling.
Throughout the program, our lead coaches mentors will challenge, advise, and guide founders on critical business and leadership decisions. Learn more about them in those pages: Lead Coaches & Mentors
Get network access
We will facilitate relevant introductions to our broad network of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and experts. Our networks are truly global but strongest in Europe. We can make introductions to help with leadership development, market entry, customer discovery, thought leadership, and visibility – or simply help you expand your network.
Become part of a community
While the program lasts for roughly six months, expect to become part of our community for life. During the program, we connect entrepreneurs to our community of alum startups and Responsible Leaders. Following the program, you will be invited to join the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network – a community of more than 2,300 changemakers from over 117 countries.
Learn more about our Alumni Startups and the Responsible Leaders Network.
Backed by strong brands – the BMW Foundation and UnternehmerTUM – RESPOND promotes founders at international conferences, through proactive media and PR, and throughout our network. This includes speaking opportunities at global stages as well as nominations for startup competitions, pitch events, and startup awards.
We have invited some of our startups to speak at, among others, COP, Climate Week NYC, and the World Economic Forum – taking a stance and advocating for a new way of doing business.
RESPOND is free of charge, and we don’t take equity. We support travel costs – when necessary – for founders to participate in the program’s in-person events.
Say what?
Yes – it’s free to join the program.
The RESPOND Accelerator program is backed by the BMW Foundation’s philanthropic mandate and is laser-focused on ensuring better outcomes for planet and people by connecting and building capacities among leaders who drive impact globally.
<aside> <img src="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/cb422597-f635-4c1b-b214-36510d8cf7fb/RE_Icons_Small_Black_ArrowRight.png" alt="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/secure.notion-static.com/cb422597-f635-4c1b-b214-36510d8cf7fb/RE_Icons_Small_Black_ArrowRight.png" width="40px" /> Next, we’d recommend to find out if there’s a program fit with our Selection Criteria and Areas of Action (focus topics) for 2024. If you want to jump to applications right away, you can find the final details here: Application.
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