GAME.
bonding.
DISCOVerY.
compete, and discover which venture fits you.
Athlete founders game
Founder-venture fit
"Founder-venture fit" is when a venture matches the founder's knowledge, skills, network, values and resources. It's also about finding gaps in your fit to fill with the right co-founders. During the game, you will team up around shared interests, create a website and pitch. Best fit wins.
Networking & mentorship
The game brings together international athletes who have the same desires from every sport. Athletes are mentored by former athletes turned entrepreneurs who bring diverse approaches to getting started, and by founders with athletes as co-founders. Learn what worked or didn't to find your fit.
VIBRANT startup city
The game takes place in Ghent's Wintercircus, a hub for entrepreneurs in one of Europe's top startup cities. It's the perfect mix to get inspired while enjoying a reunion with former teammates, classmates, rivals or new connections in this vibrant medieval city.
discover what fits you best
For active and retired elite athletes curious about the startup world. Whether you have no idea where to start, have an idea but want to test your fit, or already started but it doesn't feel right — this game is for you.
Join fellow athletes on the same mission
The first Athlete Founders Game brings together 30 international athletes from different sports, all curious to discover what venture could fit them. You'll team up based on similar interests and compete over 3 days, guided by 5 mentors. Only 1 team wins.
FIND YOUR FIT, AT YOUR PACE
Finding your fit takes time. Through our activities, athlete founder database, mentors and fellow athletes, you'll learn how to assess your fit with ventures, find your gaps and discover what co-founders you need. We give you the skills, network and tools to keep discovering after the game ends.
Your role in the game
the best fit wins
You'll get tools to discover ideas and find partners who share your interest. As a team, pick one idea, build a website for it and show why your team has a strong founder-venture fit. On the final day, you pitch. A jury picks the winner.
100+ athlete founders database
You'll get access to our exclusive database built from a year of research on 100+ athlete founders and their founder-venture fit. Learn from their storylines to trigger new ideas or sharpen ones you already have. You'll also get the skills and tools to build your own website.
experience the founder energy
Play the game in the Wintercircus, one of Ghent's most iconic startup hubs, home to 36 startups. Ranked by Dealroom as a global top 20 innovation ecosystem per capita. The perfect setting to learn from mentors who know the athlete world and make your founder experience feel real.
bonding in a vibrant medieval city
Bonding is central to this event, together with other athletes who are on the same journey as you. Ghent is a hidden gem in Europe with many bars, restaurants, beautiful streets, and boat trips to enjoy during or after the game. This is an ideal reunion for former teammates, classmates, and rivals, or a great chance to meet new people.
Timeline
Challenge 1: Explore ideas through our unique database
Breakfast at the Wintercircus & introduction Athlete Founders Game
Challenge 2: Find Your Team based on similar interests + breaks
Lunch Break at Wintercircus
Interactive discussion with Brent Luyckx
Challenge 3: Define your mission through founder strengths + breaks
Restaurant in the center & evening walk
Breakfast at Wintercircus
Interactive discussion with Athlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 4: Target your customer message based on fit + breaks
Lunch & Tour in Wintercircus
Interactive Discussion with Athlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 5: shape your ideal solution based on fit + breaks
Restaurant & evening walk
Breakfast at Wintercircus
Interactive discussion with Athlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 6: Tackle gaps in fit & prepare pitch for closing event
Lunch at Wintercircus / put also the coffee breaks
Extra time for final pitch
Pitch Event with Jury + Winner
Closing reception with Food & Drinks in Wintercircus
The organisers
andres vanryckeghem
Andres has a decade of experience in top-tier consulting and startups. Startup games helped him step away from his routine and discover new business ideas. This experience and his curiosity about athlete founders motivated him to create a startup game for elite athletes. He partnered with Niklas to design an experience that resonates fully with elite athletes and would have the same benefits he experienced.
Contact: andres@athetefounders.eu
Niklas Wimberg
Niklas has been playing professional basketball for 12 years at the highest level in Germany and Europe, representing the national team. While still active, he gained entrepreneurial experience in venture capital and became managing shareholder of a basketball club. This convinced him athletes need early business exposure, which is why he joined Andres to create the first athlete business game.
Contact: niklas@athletefounders.eu
our founder-venture fit
Why do some athlete founders succeed and others don't? Andres spent a year studying 100+ stories. One key reason: how strong their founder-venture fit was and which co-founders filled their gaps. He wanted to turn these lessons into a startup game. But his own fit had gaps: limited athlete knowledge, weak network and credibility. Then he met Niklas, an active elite athlete. Same passion, gaps closed. That's what this game is about.
How to apply
In case of any questions, contact us at info@athletefounders.eu
Fill in the application form
Admission Result
Registration & Payment
Get Your ticket
Apply before 30/04 and get an early bird discount. You can also earn 20% of each ticket price for every person you refer, with no limit on referrals.
Early bird
This is included:
- Access 3 day business game in Wintercircus
- Access to mentors during game
- Access to database of 100+ Athlete Founders
- Breakfast, lunch, drinks during the business game
- Closing celebration with food & drinks on 05/07
- Discount link for hotel
Not included:
- Accommodation 02/07 - 05/07
- Dinner on 03/07 and 04/07
This is included:
- Access 3 day business game in Wintercircus
- Access to mentors during game
- Access to database of 100+ Athlete Founders
- Breakfast, lunch, drinks during the business game
- Closing celebration with food & drinks on 05/07
- Accommodation 02/07 - 05/07
Not included:
- Dinner on 03/07 and 04/07
Regular Price
This is included:
- Access 3 day business game in Wintercircus
- Access to mentors during game
- Access to database of 100+ Athlete Founders
- Breakfast, lunch, drinks during the business game
- Closing celebration with food & drinks on 05/07
- Discount link for hotel
Not included:
- Accommodation 02/07 - 05/07
- Dinner on 03/07 and 04/07
This is included:
- Access 3 day business game in Wintercircus
- Access to mentors during game
- Access to database of 100+ Athlete Founders
- Breakfast, lunch, drinks during the business game
- Closing celebration with food & drinks on 05/07
- Accommodation 02/07 - 05/07
Not included:
- Dinner on 03/07 and 04/07
Frequently asked questions
Stay at Yalo Hotel which is a 5 min walk from the Wintercircus
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