Summary

This year, Delitelabs successfully conducted two programs, involving a total of 43 participants.

During the Autumn Kick-off, entrepreneurs Alina and Yana, alumni from the Spring cohort, shared their journeys, with Yana presenting a delicious Ukrainian lunch, showcasing her developed business concept. Maksym, a previous cohort alumnus, joined as a co-facilitator, contributing insights in participants' native languages during prototyping sessions.

Three testing events provided valuable mentor and guest feedback to our entrepreneurs. Four guest workshops, including a masterclass on sustainability in Autumn and a Social Entrepreneurship workshop in Spring, enriched participants' learning experiences.

Graduation in Autumn featured an introduction to Sunny Honey Home ice cream and its inspiring mission.

Delitelabs expanded its mentor network, engaging over 50 mentors from diverse backgrounds, including entrepreneurs, Unilever, INSEAD Alumni Association the Netherlands, and its network. This reinforces a strong support system for entrepreneurs with a wide range of expertise and experience.

2023 Graduate of UP Collective Netherlands

Highlights & Key Learnings

Memorable milestones, learnings and reflections from this year's UP Collective programme in the Netherlands.

Test Events

One of our key achievements was the successful organization of three prototyping events, with the first held at the Unilever office in Rotterdam in collaboration with the Ben & Jerry’s team. We engaged employees from various Unilever brands, creating a space for them to share valuable feedback on newcomers' business ideas.

Our second event was a public prototyping event held during Refugee Week in collaboration with Impact Hub Amsterdam. By fostering partnerships with organizations like Impact Hub, we extended our reach and impact within the local community.


For the autumn program, we organized another successful public prototyping event. Prior to the event, we arranged an online session focused on preparing participants for the testing phase. We gladly welcomed support from spring alumnus Maksym who co-facilitated the session, assisting participants in refining their prototypes. His ability to communicate with Ukrainian participants in their language by our alumni added a valuable layer of connection.


We aimed to provide each participant with the opportunity to test their business idea with at least 10 people during our prototyping events. This approach ensured participants received diverse feedback, helping them refine their concepts and better prepare for the showcase event.


Prototyping events are key moments in our program, offering participants their first opportunity to present ideas and gather feedback. Beyond individual development, these events serve as valuable opportunities for their mentors and local audiences to make connections and increase the overall visibility of our programme within the community.

Pitch & Graduation Showcase

This year, our programme saw a total of 37 graduates, each representing a wide spectrum of business ideas. From innovative food entrepreneurs to those developing AI applications in education and work safety.


Our showcase events held approximately 80 attendees who were able to witness firsthand the journeys of our participants. These events served as platforms for our entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and receive feedback, fostering valuable connections.

One notable observation has been the need for participants to better refine their "ask" during these events. Our local audience has demonstrated a willingness to open up their networks, presenting a valuable opportunity for participants to establish connections that can contribute to their business success. 


An identified challenge, particularly for our Ukrainian participants, is the difficulty in moving forward due to current legal burdens in the Netherlands. Recognizing this, we are committed to exploring ways to address these challenges, ensuring that our entrepreneurs have the necessary support.


The graduation ceremony in autumn took on a particularly sweet note with the introduction of Sunny Honey Home ice cream and its inspiring mission. This unique addition added a special touch to our graduation event, emphasizing the positive impact of entrepreneurship on both individuals and the community.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of this year, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment that nurtures innovation, connections, and growth for our entrepreneurs in future programs.

Innovations & Opportunities

Based on our experiences this year, we recommend integrating guest workshops with external professionals into entrepreneurship programs. The expertise shared by industry professionals adds a layer of real-world relevance, increasing the overall learning experience for participants.

In the spring, we introduced two guest workshops. The workshop on Social Entrepreneurship offered a fresh perspective on the intersection of business and societal impact. Additionally, we organized the workshop guiding participants from idea to Minimum Viable Product (MVP).


In the autumn we had workshops, focusing on sustainability and effective pitching. Our sustainability masterclass focused on environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, and circularity. Recognising the importance of effective communication in entrepreneurship, the pitch workshop empowered participants to share their stories more confidently.


Looking forward

In 2024, Delitelabs aims to strategically expand reach, strengthen support networks, foster corporate collaborations, and build on successful partnerships. Focus will also be on further exploring internship opportunities for program participants within Unilever through our partnership with Ben & Jerry's.

Contact our Partnerships team here.