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

🎓 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.

🔎 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

🔄 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): €500
Phase 2 (weeks 7-14): Choose one of the following options:
- Flat Fee Option: €1,500
OR
- 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 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

Phase 1: To apply, pay the required program fee (€500) 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. Choose one of the below payment options:
- Flat fee: Pay the required fee (€1500) for phase 2
- Equity option: 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.
Receive continuous expert feedback.
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!

🍃 The Founder Institute Core Program details
📽️ Founder Institute Onboarding video
🧑‍🏫Founder institute Mentors: These are the experts from a wide variety of industry/expertise backgrounds who will guide your start-up journey during the challenge
🗓️Founder institute events: Check this page for information days, open pitch events and more!

❓ 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 20hrs per week.

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

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
if using the 2.5% equity payment option, join the equity collective by signing a warrant

How is assessment handled?

Your progress is assessed through:

Predictive Score from the Entrepreneur DNA Assessment
Weekly Sprint Submissions: Submit work on time
Weekly Feedback Sessions: Attend regularly
Hotseat Pitch: Pitch in at least 1 session in Phase 1 and get rated by mentors (1-5 scale)
Working Group Pitch: Practice pitching in weekly meetings and get rated by peers (1 to 5)
Weekly 1-on-1 Office Hours: Book and attend with mentors, receive satisfactory ratings (1-5 scale)

While the above components are assessed by the Founders institute, your challenge ECTs are awarded by Tomorrow University.

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

The application (including payment) 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, and which payment option you would like to choose (€1500 or 2.5% equity share). Please make sure this is complete 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.

For phase 2 payments, can I choose one option (2.5% equity share or €1500) then change my mind later?

Unfortunately not. Once you’ve selected a payment option for phase 2, this is final

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:

FI program-related questions: Ferdinand Mühlhäuser (fm@convestec.com)
Generic curriculum and product related questions: Janet Todorova (janet@founderinstitute.com)

Tomorrow University x Founder Institute

🚀 Build. Validate. Launch.

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