Play Smart, Startup Strong, Startup Play
Do you have a cool idea for your own business? How scary, risky, and ambitious this plan may sound… Give it a chance! Discover during Startup Play the potential of your idea and whether it matches the needs of your potential customers.
Within the program, the focus is on interactive sessions as well as 1-on-1 coaching. We think it’s important that you take your idea, but also certainly yourself as an entrepreneur, seriously. And we’ll help you do that.
Validate your startup idea
You want to start your own business, but where to begin? What makes your startup successful? During Startup Play, you’ll learn how to make the most of your idea.
- You get to know your target audience better and what their needs are.
- Then you see “the bigger picture” and know roughly what it takes to turn your idea into a startup.
- You get to work on your business model and learn how to make a pitch deck.
- Finally, you will learn to experiment and assess the results. Moreover, you will start working with entrepreneurial tools within the Design Thinking Method.
About the sessions
Startup Play consists of two different parts: the personal coaching and the interactive sessions.
You will receive coaching from our experienced coaches and Activation Managers Micha Heilman or Sander Kuin. During these sessions, you will receive the guidance you need to get the most out of the program. We go deeper into your idea, figure out the “why,” but also ask the right questions for your personal development.
There are a total of 5 interactive sessions to make your idea concrete. So you work on issues and look together with the other participants at what you encounter and how you work on (entrepreneurship) problems. This way you learn from each other and help each other. After each session, join us for the best networking drinks in Leiden!
Entry Requirements
- You will bring an idea that you are committed to validating
- Your idea is scalable (not consultancy, etc.)
- You are available to work on your startup at least 1 day outside of the session
FAQ
See the most frequently asked questions.
In addition to session time and your coaching calls, we recommend that you work on your potential startup at least 8 hours per week.
Yes, it is mandatory to attend all sessions.
You must have a basic understanding of who your customer is and what problem you are solving for them, based on market research, interviews or other ways that prove the idea has potential.
No, all sessions are physical. We believe that physical meetings benefit your participation. This way you can grow more and connect better with the other participants/PLNT Community.
Yes, you certainly can! You can work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Sandbox. The coffee and tea is free, there are flex spaces, you can brainstorm with other participants from programs, and it is PLNT Students’ primary location.
