The Business Development Academy
Do you want to develop your entrepreneurial idea further as a student? Or do you already have a business you’d like to grow alongside your studies? At the Fontys Center for Entrepreneurship (CvO), we’re here to support you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey!
With personalized coaching, we help you combine your business and studies successfully. Through the Business Development Academy (BDA), you’ll have access to experienced Business Developers who guide you using the Lean Startup process. This means you’ll test your idea in the market early, learning and adapting based on feedback. This approach allows you to build a strong business idea efficiently without needing to flesh out every detail beforehand. Coaching follows a 10-week cycle and can continue for up to two years after graduation.
I want to sign up!
Which options are available to me?
Regular Coaching
SOR Program
Our business developers are ready for you
The business developers help you make your business plans more concrete and better validate your product or service in the market. They will help you from the start to get the basis of your company right. You can also contact our business developers if you have specific entrepreneurship questions.
Rob Zopfi
Eindhoven region
Arjen Korpel
Tilburg region
Gilbert de Laat
Eindhoven region
Rudi Willemsen
Venlo Region
Personal Coaching
Are you a student with an entrepreneurial idea? The Business Development Academy (BDA) offers coaching that helps you balance your business and studies while equipping you with the tools to bring your idea to the market step by step.
After you sign up, we start with an intake session at the CvO to set clear goals for your path. Following this, you’ll have regular meetings (every 10 weeks) where we guide you through essential steps:
You’ll start by developing your Value Proposition Canvas, helping you clarify the problem you’re solving, your target audience, and the best way to reach them. This process leads to a strong value proposition, serving as a mini-pitch for your idea.
Together, we’ll test your assumptions about your idea, allowing you to create a market-ready version quickly. You’ll learn to adjust based on feedback, gaining insights into what works.
After initial validation, you’ll work with your coach on your Business Model Canvas, integrating all business elements from financial considerations and costs to marketing and product development.
Our coaching helps you consistently set specific goals for your business growth. Interested in doing an internship or graduating with your business? We’ll work with you on meeting the requirements of the Student Entrepreneur Program (SOR) through intensive preparation over eight weeks. You’ll then present your business to an advisory committee, receiving valuable networking and feedback.
Ready to start? Sign up and work with a coach who will help grow your business now and for up to two years after graduation!
I want to sign up!The Fontys Student Entrepreneur Agreement Proces
Please apply if you are interested in this program. One of our Business Developers will meet with you to get to know you and your business insights.
If you want to be considered for the status, you are going to elaborate and validate your business plan. You do this using the Value Proposition Canvas and the Business Model Canvas.
Once this is worked out, your business developer will invite you to present your business plans to the entire Business Developers team. They will assess whether your plans are sufficiently validated and/or your business is market viable and future-proof.
The final step is to present your business plan in front of an external advisory committee of entrepreneurs who will give you tips and advice to make your business even more successful.
Screening advisory committee
- 11 december | 17:30 - 21:00
- 15 januari | 17:30 - 21:00
- 12 march | 17:30 - 21:00
- 23 april | 17:30 - 21:00
- 11 june | 17:30 - 21:00
Once you have received official status, you can make use of the associated benefits. Coaching by the business developer will of course continue, even up to 2 years after your graduation.
Please note, the entire admission process takes at least 3 months. Therefore, apply on time if you want to do an internship or graduate within your own company.
Combining Your Studies and Business
- Accompaniment by an external coach
- Adjusted class attendance requirements
- Participation in Workshops & Master classes
- Adjusted examination schedule and/or adjusted First Year completion requirements
- Completion of an internship within your own company
- Graduation within your own company
Location
This screening will take place at De Stek!
Videolab, Strijp-S, 5th floor
Torenallee 20, 5617BC Eindhoven
We’re here to help!
Do you have a question or want to learn more about one of our areas of expertise? Feel free to get in touch or visit us at our Entrepreneurship Plaza!