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🚀Bring your start-up idea to life with the Founder Institute elevation challenge

Turn your entrepreneurial ambition into a validated, investment-ready venture, while earning ECTS towards your Tomorrow University program!

🎓 The Founder Institute x Tomorrow University Elevation Challenge

Tomorrow University partners with the Founder Institute (FI), the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, to offer an Elevation Phase challenge for learners who are committed to building their own entrepreneurial venture.

Through FI’s globally proven Core Program, you will work on your own startup idea in a structured, feedback-driven environment, moving from idea discovery to validation, traction, and investment readiness.

This challenge is fully integrated into the Tomorrow University Elevation Phase and contributes directly to your degree progress through ECTS credits.

🌱 What Is the Founder Institute Core Program?

Since 2009, the Founder Institute Core Program has helped founders build fundable businesses faster and more efficiently without theoretical coursework or abstract case studies.

Key Features

  • Proven Methodology: Structured weekly sprints focused on execution.
  • Constant Feedback: Weekly Feedback Sessions, Office Hours, and Working Groups.
  • Supportive Network: Mentors, peers, and alumni invested in your success.

FI Core is designed for pre-seed founders, including:

  • Idea-stage and first-time founders.
  • Learners transitioning from employee to entrepreneur.
  • Solo founders or small founding teams.
  • Ventures that are pre-incorporation or pre-funding.

🧠 Program Structure & Learning Journey

The Founder Institute Elevation Challenge is divided into two challenge phases, corresponding to two Elevation challenges, aligned with FI’s Core methodology. Within each phase you can expect:

🔎 Founders Institute - Phase 1: Building a Validated Startup Concept (Weeks 1–6)

You will:

  • Identify a clear vision and mission.
  • Discover and validate customer needs.
  • Explore revenue and business models.
  • Learn pitch mastery.
  • Collaborate with mentors and peers.

🎯 Goal: Develop a validated idea ready for deeper market development.

👉 This phase aligns with completing one Elevation challenge.

🚀Founders Institute - Phase 2: From Validated concept to Market & Scale (Weeks 7–14)

You will:

  • Validate your market and go-to-market strategy.
  • Develop and test your product or MVP.
  • Build your founding team and advisory board.
  • Understand legal, financial, and equity fundamentals.
  • Prepare for fundraising and investor conversations.

🎯 Goal: Become investment-ready with a scalable, fundable business.

👉 This phase aligns with completing the rest of the entire Elevation phase.

📅 Each week is structured as a growth sprint, which includes:

  • Live feedback sessions
  • Mentor reviews
  • Working groups
  • Action-oriented deliverables

⏱️ Time commitment:

Mentor check-ins are held Wednesdays 6:30–10pm CET

As this challenge is essentially an intensive start-up development incubator, time commitment can be +20 hours per week

🔄 How the Founder Institute Fits into the Elevation Phase

The Founder Institute Elevation Challenge can be taken in place of one (phase 1) or all (phase 1 & 2) of your Elevation challenges within your Tomorrow University program.

📊 ECTS Contribution by Degree

Degree Phase 1: Exit After 6 Weeks Phase 2: Full 14 Weeks
MBA 10 ECTS (entire Elevation Phase) 30 ECTS (entire Elevation Phase: 10 ECTS required + 20 extracurricular ECTS)
MSc SIT 10 ECTS (½ of Elevation Phase) 30 ECTS (entire Elevation Phase: 20 ECTS required + 10 extracurricular ECTS)
BSc 10 ECTS (⅓ of Elevation Phase) 30 ECTS (entire Elevation Phase)
BA 10 ECTS (⅓ of Elevation Phase) 30 ECTS (entire Elevation Phase)
MSET 10 ECTS (½ of Elevation Phase) 30 ECTS (entire Elevation Phase: 15 ECTS required + 15 extracurricular ECTS) - These can contribute to your professional practice. Reach out to your program director for more information

 

🔍 What this means for you

  • You may complete only Phase 1 (6 weeks) or both phases (14 weeks)
  • Completing Phase 1 equals one Elevation challenge
  • Completing both phases will complete your entire elevation phase

❓ Extra ECTs?

In some programs, the entire Founders institute program provides more ECTS than can be used for your program. In this case, these count as extra-curricular ECTS and can be included on your transcript as such.

💰 Tuition & Payment Options

The Founder Institute Core Program is an additional cost on top of your base Tomorrow University tuition.

Tuition Structure

  • Phase 1 (first 6 weeks): €850

  • Phase 2 (weeks 7-14): Equity Option: 2.5% equity of your future incorporated company

🗓 Application Timeline & Deadlines

🗓 Application windows and deadlines for 2026 cohorts are as follows:

  • 🌱Spring cohort (March 9th, 2026):

    • Applications open: January 22nd
    • Applications close: March 1st

  • 🍂Autumn cohort (October 12th, 2026)

    • Applications open: August 10th
    • Applications close: October 4th

⚠️Please bare in mind, Late applications cannot be accepted, as Founder institute challenge cohorts have fixed start dates.

📌 How to Apply

Applications for the FI program are made within the learning app. Head to the Learning Page → Explore Programs tab → Partner Challenges, to explore the Founder Institute challenge. Complete the payment, and you’ll be granted access to the challenge and relevant Founder Institute resources.

⚠️ Do not register directly with the founder institute via their website! To take advantage of the ToU partnership you must register via the app (see below). ⚠️

  • Phase 1: To apply, Head to the Learning Page → Explore Programs tab → Partner Challenges, pay the required program fee (€850) before the application deadline. Once payment is confirmed, you’ll be granted access to the challenge, which will appear in the elevation phase tab of the learning page
  • Phase 2: If you wish to apply for phase 2 after completing phase 1, head to the Learning Page → Programs tab → Partner Challenges and select the Founder institute challenge: Phase 2. Follow the steps at the end of phase 1 to confirm your selection of the equity option. Once confirmed, you’ll be provided with a 100% discount code which can be used on the phase 2 payment page

⚠️Participation in the program is confirmed with payment. As such, please make sure payments are made and confirmed before the application deadlines (see above)

🎯 What You’ll Gain

By completing the Founder Institute Elevation Challenge, you will:

  • Build a real startup, not a simulated project.
  • Gain structured entrepreneurial execution skills.
  • No "OKs" ! Experts provide continuous feedback focusing on what's great and what needs to be improved. Ideal for rapid iteration and development 
  • Earn ECTS credits toward your ToU degree.
  • Join a global alumni network with €1.9B+ raised by FI founders.

Want more information? Check out the below resources!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can take the Founder Institute Elevation Challenge?

Learners from all Tomorrow University degree programs are eligible including ToU Allumni!

The ECTS contribution varies depending on your degree and Elevation Phase requirements.

Can I complete only part of the program?

Yes. You may exit after 6 weeks, earning 10 ECTS, or complete the full 14 weeks for higher ECTS recognition.

How much time do I need to commit to the Founder Institute challenge?

To get the most out of your experience, you should be ready to commit at least 20hrs per week. 

Additionally, Mentor check-ins are held Wednesdays 6:30–10pm CET so make sure to keep this time free

Is this challenge suitable if I don’t have a business idea yet?

Yes. The Founder institute Core program is designed specifically for idea-stage and first-time founders, but also applies to those with a well established operational idea. In your onboarding, you'll determine which of the tracks is best suited for your start up stage:

  • Validate Track: For early-stage or first-time founders, this track focuses on validating and de-risking your idea while clarifying your vision and defining a clear launch path.

  • Launch Track: For founders with early validation or an MVP, this track supports team and product development, first traction, and progress toward investment readiness.

  • Traction Track: For teams with users and early revenue, this track focuses on product–market fit, scalable growth, and preparing for fundraising.

By default, you'll be added to the launch track, and during the onboarding week decide whether to stay with Launch, move "up" to the Traction Track or "down" to the Validate Track.
This decision can be discussed with the Program Director during Onboarding Office Hours

However!, as this is an intensive, incubator program with 20+ hours per week, intensive mentor feedback and rapid iteration, you should have a strong passion for entrepreneurship

Will I work with Tomorrow University faculty during this challenge?

No. As a partner challenge, you will work exclusively with the Founder Institute during the program.

Does completing the Founder institute challenges mean I finish my entire Elevation Phase?

If you complete both phases (1 & 2) then yes, regardless of program you’ll complete the entire elevation phase.

If you only complete phase 1, this corresponds to completing only 1 elevation phase challenge. Corresponding to:

  • 1/3 of the Bachelors elevation phase
  • 1/2 of the MSc SIT program elevation phase
  • The entire MBA program elevation phase

For further details see the How the Founder Institute Fits into the Elevation Phase section above

What are the requirements on a week by week basis

When taking part in the FI challenge, you'll need to achieve the following:

  • Attend all sessions and complete the sprints

  • Score minimum ratings on your pitch

From Phase 2 onwards:

  • Incorporate as a C-corp or local equivalent

  • Join the equity collective by signing a warrant

Throughout both phases, you should expect to work +20 hours per week

How is assessment handled?

While working with the founder institute, your idea is assessed, iterated and adapted via

  • Weekly Sprint Submissions
  • Weekly Feedback Sessions
  • Hotseat Pitches and ratings by mentors
  • Working Group Pitches and peer rating (1 to 5)
  • Weekly 1-on-1 Office Hours support

These components are used to develop your final capstone: an idea pitch presentation and a report which is submitted via the ToU app for grading by our internal academic team

Once I’m taking part in phase 1, when do I need to sign up for phase 2

The application, and 2.5% equity agreement for phase 2 must occur before the completion of phase 1. In the final milestone of phase 1 you’ll be asked if you wish to continue, please make sure this is complete at least 1 week before the start of phase 2.

Can I just Complete phase 2?

No. You must complete phase 1 (including all sessions and milestones) before joining phase 2.

What if I decide entrepreneurship isn’t for me?

You may withdraw from the FI challenge and receive a full refund before the Week 3: Revenue and Business models session. While you may withdraw after this point you will not be able to receive a refund.

You may exit after 6 weeks and continue your Elevation Phase with standard Tomorrow University challenges.

The completion of phase 1 will contribute to the completion of 1 elevation phase challenge

Is there the possibility for in-person events with the founders institute?

Unfortunately not. This challenge is held entirely online

💡 Questions?

Contact Sami Asad (sami@tomorrow.university) for guidance on eligibility, ECTS allocation, and application timing. For questions and enquires for the Founders Institute:

Tomorrow University x Founder Institute

🚀 Build. Validate. Launch.

Empowering founders to turn purpose-driven ideas into real-world impact.