How to write a winning application forThe Startup Leadership Program

Every year, we receive hundreds of applications but only a few are selected. While we know that there are a lot of you who are super leaders, unless your application gives us some hint of it, it is hard for us to select you. So we wrote this small piece just for you. So that you know how.There are no guarantees, of course. But these tips should definitely help.

Every year, we receive hundreds of applications but only a few are selected. While we know that there are a lot of you who are super leaders, unless your application gives us some hint of it, it is hard for us to select you. So we wrote this small piece just for you. So that you know how.There are no guarantees, of course. But these tips should definitely help.

Don’t take it all in one goLimit your first attempt to an hour. Finish up as much as you can. You know you’ll come back to it later. So no pressure.

Spend 5 - 10 minutes on it each dayEach time, the goal is to improve one little section / paragraph. Concentrate first on those that reflect on your leadership qualities. Your bio blurb. Your past achievements. What you want to do in the future. You get the idea.

Make sure you complete 5 – 6 iterations well before the submission deadline. Don’t wait for the last day.

Limit your first attempt to an hour. Finish up as much as you can. You know you’ll come back to it later. So no pressure.

Each time, the goal is to improve one little section / paragraph. Concentrate first on those that reflect on your leadership qualities. Your bio blurb. Your past achievements. What you want to do in the future. You get the idea.

Make sure you complete 5 – 6 iterations well before the submission deadline. Don’t wait for the last day.

We’re looking for leaders, not winning startupsYou are our focus at SLP. We do look at your startup, but only to see the signs of your commitment, passion and leadership. Make sure that your application reflects these. If you’re good at something, you should find a way to mention it.If you have great academic qualifications or other credentials (published papers, patents, awards, special skills, unusual hobbies, etc.) make sure to mention them.

Use the optional questions to highlight your strengthsYou can’t go wrong when you go that extra mile and use those optional questions to your advantage!

You are our focus at SLP. We do look at your startup, but only to see the signs of your commitment, passion and leadership. Make sure that your application reflects these. If you’re good at something, you should find a way to mention it.If you have great academic qualifications or other credentials (published papers, patents, awards, special skills, unusual hobbies, etc.) make sure to mention them.

You can’t go wrong when you go that extra mile and use those optional questions to your advantage!

Attend SLP / partner events in your cityKeep an eye out for these events. Use the opportunity to meet SLPians. When we

know you, it works like an extra paragraph that’s added to your application.

Know the evaluation criteria● Commitment to startup● Leadership achievements● Education ● Startup stage

● Community building● Diversity (Women, minorities, ...)● Startup experience● Product building

Recommendations carry weightYes, they do. Ask your SLPian friends to write a good recommendation for you. Recommendations from your mentors and fellow entrepreneurs are equally effective. Use the F6S recommendation system.Yes, they do. Ask your SLPian friends to write a good recommendation for you. Recommendations from your mentors and fellow entrepreneurs are equally effective. Use the F6S recommendation system.

Keep an eye out for these events. Use the opportunity to meet SLPians. When we know you, it works like an extra paragraph that’s added to your application.

● Commitment to startup● Leadership achievements● Education ● Startup stage

● Community building● Diversity (Women, minorities, ...)● Startup experience● Product building

All the best!We look forward to seeing your application!We look forward to seeing your application!