Fresh Founder Fest

​An afternoon for founders turning research, expertise, or technical depth into a company — and navigating the early questions that come with it.

Building something knowledge-intensive means longer validation cycles, harder-to-explain value propositions, and fundraising conversations that don't follow the standard playbook. This event is designed for that reality.

The programme combines practical workshops, structured peer sessions, and time with founders and experts over dinner. No panels, no pitching, just working sessions and honest conversation.

For whom
Founders in the early phase, with startups founded from late 2024 onwards, particularly those building from a technical, scientific, or specialist knowledge base.

What you'll leave with
Sharper thinking on where to focus first: validating when your market doesn't exist yet, understanding what early-stage investors actually look for in deep tech, and building habits that sustain you through a long build.

Programme
2:00 – 2:15 PM — Walk-in
2:15 – 2:30 PM — Plenary start
2:30 – 4:00 PM — Workshop (choose one)
4:00 – 4:30 PM — Break
4:30 – 5:30 PM — Peer-to-peer campfire sessions (small groups, facilitated, focused on one challenge you're facing) 5:30 – 7:30 PM — Walking dinner with expert tables (rotating conversations with investors, experienced founders, and specialists)

Workshops
Early-Stage Investing: What Founders Need to Know.
By Niek Huizenga - Early Stage Tech Investor at Future Tech Ventures
How early-stage investors evaluate opportunities, what makes deep tech and knowledge-intensive startups different to fund, and how to position yourself for those conversations.

Startup Validation When the Market Doesn't Exist Yet
By Niels Palmers - Business Developer and Trainer Startup Program at NV NOM
Standard validation advice assumes you can talk to customers who already know they have a problem. What do you do when they don't? A practical session on finding signal in uncertain territory.

Founder Focus: Don't Sprint a Marathon
By Geert Hidding - Performance coach for entrepreneurs and author 'Het Schakelpunt' - the invisible power behind focus and consistency
Knowledge-intensive startups take longer. A candid session on pacing yourself, protecting your focus, and staying effective over a multi-year build.