Welcome to Compass 2023, the premier investor-readiness accelerator program for entrepreneurs! At Compass, we offer weekly cohort and 1:1 meetings, expert pitch practice sessions, role-playing with investors, and negotiation skills workshops. Our program also includes access to investor and industry sector research, as well as a dedicated Slack channel where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and access valuable opportunities.
Attend weekly cohort and 1:1 meetings
Ace your pitch with regular practice sessions
Create a fundraising plan
Access investor and industry sector research
Role play with investors so you can oversubscribe your fundraiser
Learn how to negotiate your terms like a boss
Join the Slack channel and access valuable opportunities
Post-program check-ins
Carri Duncan
Carri is an experienced leader in Capital Markets Advisory at Karaktero, holding Non-Executive Director and advisory board seats. She specializes in backing seed-stage EU-based digital health companies with a neuroscience focus and seeks investment opportunities from underrepresented regions and backgrounds. With a background in neuroscience research, lifescience finance, and management consulting, Carri brings extensive expertise in equity research, corporate finance, and advising healthcare leaders and boards.
Chantal Cox
Chantal is an Investment Manager in the Octopus Ventures Health team, and her focus is engaging with, investing in and supporting Europe’s most promising health tech companies. The Health team is the most active healthtech VC investor in the UK and in the top 1% in Europe. Previously, Chantal led projects at McKinsey & Company and started her career in the NHS, where she worked as a junior doctor in one of London’s busiest trauma centres.
Martin Giese
Martin Giese is a Munich-based business angel, startup coach and author trained at Harvard, MIT and Stanford. He regularly teaches in leading incubation programs like XPRENEURS, ESA BIC, Alchemist Accelerator and Compass and published two bestselling guidebooks for startups on "Startup Financing" and "B2B Sales".
Mildred Talabi
Mildred is a seasoned professional with expertise in personal branding, journalism, PR, and communications. Specializing in empowering female leaders and women in business, she is a recognized LinkedIn Influencer and the founder of Visible Women Tribe, a global community for women in business and leadership.
Sudha Ketherpal
Sudha is a world-renowned musician (Faithless, The Spice Girls), a 2 times TEDx speaker, and a global Pitch Coach. She works with founders and accelerator programmes using a method that has helped thousands of individuals raise €400 million.
Who can participate in Compass?
We are excited to offer Compass for early-stage Founderland members who will be raising angel or VC funds within the next 6 months to 1 year.
I do not meet the requirements for Compass—is there any way I can stay involved with the community?
Yes, of course! Founderland is a place for all; not just founders, but investors, allies, and anyone interested in entrepreneurship without barriers. If you are a woman of colour founder, apply here: (LINK). To sign up for the Founderland Newsletter, please use this link: (LINK). To apply to Founderland as an investor or ally, please visit: (LINK).
I am interested in being an angel investor or mentor for participants of Compass.
Thank you for your interest. You can get in contact with hello@founderland.org.
How is this different from already being a part of Founderland?
At Founderland, we provide a peer community, mentorship, free and discounted business tools & services, inspirational events, workshops, and support with fundraising via warm introductions and pitch preparation. Compass is Founderland’s investor-readiness accelerator programme, where participants have access to a programme for founders developed by founders. We offer weekly cohort and 1:1 meetings, expert pitch practice sessions, role-playing with investors, and negotiation skills workshops. Our program also includes access to investor and industry sector research, as well as a dedicated Slack channel where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and access valuable opportunities.
How can I join Compass?
Applications for 2023 are now closed. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about our next Compass edition.
I see that one of the requirements to apply is to be a member of Founderland. How can I join Founderland as a founder?
We accept applications from women of colour founders who are based in Europe or UK to join our community at Founderland. You can submit one here: (LINK).
I know someone who would be great for Compass. How can they apply?
How many people will be accepted into Compass?
We will be accepting a maximum of 16 founders.
What industries is Compass open to?
Compass welcomes founders and startups from all industries.
How is the selection process done?
Our Founderland team will evaluate startups based on objective criteria that measure the strength of the model, strategy, and feasibility of the business and its team. This information will be taken from a startup’s Compass Application. After evaluating applications, we will send out acceptance and rejection notifications.
How much does Compass cost?
At Founderland, our priority is to build an inclusive standard for entrepreneurs and knock down barriers that are often in place in the journeys of women of colour founders. Therefore, the program is cost-free and equity-free. All we ask is your full commitment and effort.
How much time is required to participate in Compass?
The required time commitment is 10 hours weekly (4 hrs live sessions) and self-paced learning (5-7 hrs/week). However, to get the most out of Compass, we suggest that founders spend 15 hours a week on the program.
I have already participated in accelerators in the past. How is Compass different from other programs?
Compass by Founderland stands out as a program designed by founders for founders. Our focus is on helping historically marginalized entrepreneurs overcome common barriers to success. Our curriculum is tailored to provide practical training on navigating bias in negotiation and pitching. We firmly believe that hands-on workshops, practice, and role-play are essential for successfully raising your next round.
Is the program virtual?
Yes, all of the programming is virtual at this time. We will do the Graduation and demo day in person, in Berlin, on June 16th from 4-6pm. (Details TBA)
What will program participants be doing? What are workshops like?
Each week, Compass by Founderland provides live sessions with expert coaches and mentors, many of whom have been both founders and investors. These sessions offer valuable insights and guidance to the cohort. Additionally, participants will have access to self-paced learning materials to help them practice what they have learned. To ensure accountability and support, we provide cohort members with accountability partners who can provide feedback and help each other improve outside the program.
What will I gain from Compass?
In addition to Founderland’s existing community, resources, and perks, participants in Compass can expect to walk away with warm introductions to investors, a peer accountability network of founders and industry experts, and extensive experience and confidence in investor negotiation and pitching, especially in trickier situations where there is bias in play.
What happens after Compass?
Upon completing the 5-week Compass by Founderland program, founders will be equipped with the skills, experience, and relationships needed to take their companies to the next level. With our help, founders can expect to master their pitch and confidently secure funding using the toolkit of investor skills and understanding developed during the program.
Who can I contact with additional inquiries?
You can get in touch with us via email, at hello@founderland.org. For press, contact Stephanie von Behr, Managing Director via email at stephanie@founderland.org.
