ABOUT
The talents of today are the leaders of tomorrow
And we provide the traineeship to guide you through your startup journey.
Startup Talents Eindhoven is dedicated to empowering employees within the dynamic startup ecosystem of the Brainport region. By providing coaching, workshops, and opportunities for knowledge exchange, we help startup team members grow their skills, leadership abilities, and professional networks. Our focus is on equipping startup employees with the tools and insights they need to succeed and thrive in their roles, while supporting the growth of their companies.
Our mission is simple: to foster both personal and professional growth for those working in startups, contributing to a vibrant, sustainable startup ecosystem. Through our tailored programs, employees can learn, connect, and evolve alongside their startups, helping them unlock their full potential as they shape the future of innovation.
We are a foundation run by volunteers who were in the same position as you and set up this program to help more young people during their startup journey.
Cohort 2024 & 2025
The
Program
To stimulate knowledge exchange and train talents in the startup teams, we have set up the Startup Talents Program. It a personal development program for high potentials working at startups and scale-ups, comparable to a traineeship. A group of 12 young professionals will be formed that will run through a coaching, training and networking program that aims to educate the future (tech) leaders. DUring one year, they will build a strong group aimed at training each other and building a network for life. After their training year, they will remain connected and train the next generation.
The program has 6 tracks
COACHING
1-on-1 coaching on individual topics, personal learning goals, and company challenges. Around 3 sessions per year are recommended to monitor individual progress.
KNOWLEDGE
DEVELOPMENT
Trainings focussed on startup-specific knowledge e.g. pitching, term sheets, IP structures, finance structures. Provided by partners.
INTERVISION & COMPANY VISITS
Morning starts at the location of a Brainport company with a structured peer consultation sessions to reflect on and discuss work-related challenges together. After that, group gets tour at company and College Tour session with company leader(s).
BRAINPORT AGENDA
Numerous startup events are organized in the Brainport area. We selected a few to attend as group.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Group trainings focussed on leadership skills. Think of: communication training, listening, goal-setting, leadership skills, feedback skills, project management & stakeholder management.
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT
DoMiBo’s, VrijMiBo’s, breakfast sessions, coffee’s - connect outside work with each other.
Schedule
2026-2027
Our
Trainers
Hugo
Brunsting
ORMIT TALENT
Hi, I’m Hugo. Enjoying my life to the max on the moment! I’m really doing what I like and how I make impact. I started my professional life as a management trainee. Climbed the hierarchical ladder fast within PON and developed myself within different companies and disciplines. Realizing that I was missing a purpose (as a personal leader) I literally stepped out of my comfort zone followed my heart and changed my career. It resulted in a renewed and even unexpected form of joy and happiness in work now for over 5,5 years at Ormit Talent. In bringing the best out of people. In diving a little deeper to create sustainable growth in person’s own development. 1 on 1 and within groups. It can be in a 2 year program at ASML for Project Leads, or within our own Traineeship. And also in ‘your’ Startup Talent Program’, how cool?! I’m really excited in co-creating this together, and looking forward to meet you and to our first training. Hope to see you soon
Maijke
Receveur
ex-Lightyear & Startup Talents Foundation
With a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design and a Master's degree in Innovation Management, I've uncovered a great synergy between the design process, and organizational development. I love to support (fast-)growing impact organizations with this knowledge. Having spent over 6 years of scaling with Lightyear and freelancing with various start- and scale-ups, I bring hands-on experience to the table of this program. It's a program that gets me super excited as I can totally relate! After my consultancy stint, where I worked on my hard and soft skills by starter programs, I joined Lightyear. A great decision but I missed the development trajectory, co-learning and coaching some days. I'm thrilled to be part of this initiative that's providing a great opportunity to give you a headstart in your start-up. Let's rock this together!
For who is this progrma?
We are looking for talents working at startups or scale-ups to form a group of 12 trainees. We have carefully thought of a list of criteria to comprise a group that can learn from each other and help each other:
You...
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Work at a startup/scale-up in the Brainport Eindhoven area
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Are eager to work on your personal and professional development
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Have max. 0 to 5 years work experience
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Your work at the startup is your primary occupation
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You are characterized as entrepreneurial, ambitious and proactive
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Have participated in extracurricular activities
We expect of you that you...
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Are committed to actively contributing to the program and the Eindhoven startup ecosystem
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Are open to learn from others and ready to have a critical look at yourself and your professional behavior
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Have permission and availability to spend time on the program (~3 days/month of which 1 during working hours) and commitment from your company
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A financial contribution of €1.250,- to cover a part of the costs of the training. Our partners are financing the remaining €4.000.
Testimonials
The startup talent program has been incredibly rewarding, thanks to the openness and trust it fostered. Discussing challenges—both personal and organizational—was refreshing and showed how common many struggles are, creating a supportive and constructive environment.
The workshops were particularly valuable, offering not only practical tools but also fresh perspectives on addressing the complexities of a startup. They explored a diverse range of topics and challenged me to develop both personally and professionally.
Joppe Schutselaars, InPhocal
Partners
Starting from 2026, the Startup Talent program is organized in partnership with Brainport Eindhoven.
