About XLerate
ASIF Ventures and Tulip Ventures are teaming up to offer top student and recent graduate startups an 8-week incubator program culminating in the 4th edition of PitchXL, Amsterdam’s largest (student) pitch event.
XLerate is a free student-run incubator designed to support young entrepreneurs in developing their startups, it is the first student-led programme in the city. Shaped by insights from hundreds of conversations with early-stage startups, XLerate consists of 6 hands-on workshops and 6 intimate dinners, all led by experienced founders who’ve been through the journey themselves.
Applications for the XLerate Program are now closed.
Key info:
Program Timeline: April 7th — June 5th
Locations: Startup Village | UvA | Demonstrator Lab | Starthub
Final Demo Day: PitchXL, June 5th
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Workshops
Workshops will take place in a classroom setting, focusing on practical and technical knowledge, supported by slide presentations. Example topics include:
Legal & Operational Setup
Customer Discovery/ Validation
Startup Culture
Fundraising & Investor Readiness
Pitch Training
Founder dinners
These informal gatherings will provide student founders with an opportunity to meet successful entrepreneurs, hear their unfiltered startup journeys, and engage in direct discussions. The goal is to create an environment that fosters connections and practical mentorship. Each session will feature a different founder, offering diverse perspectives across various industries and growth stages.
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This year’s XLerate cohort brings together a diverse group of ambitious early-stage startups, all led by committed student or recent graduate founders ready to build and grow:
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Expert-Led Workshops — No theory, just actionable insights from founders and investors who've built and funded successful startups.
Founder Dinners — Raw, unfiltered conversations with top entrepreneurs.
Resources — Access to software, legal advice, templates, and more.
Office Spaces — Co-working spaces to build, collaborate, and grow with your team.
Tailored Support — Weekly check-ins, hands-on problem-solving, and frequent contact with the XLerate team.
Network — Connect with founders, experts, and investors who will sharpen your focus.
Community — Two months of building alongside Amsterdam’s most entrepreneurial young founders.
PitchXL Stage — Pitch in front of top investors, compete for prizes, and secure your startup's future.
Our esteemed attendees:
Our esteemed partners & sponsors:
