+ What’s your application process?

Our next programme (Amsterdam), will open up its applications in Q1 of 2023. This is what our selection process looks like. We have three selection stages:

1. Apply before the Deadline on F6S.
2. We will confirm if you’re selected for the next round: video interviews with the Collider team. You’ll do a quick pitch, followed by a Q&A to better understand your business, team, and motivations.
3. The final stage is the Startup Selection Meeting where your startup has the opportunity to live pitch to our investors. They're the ones who make the final call on which startups to invite to join the Collider programme and invest in.

We'll let you know at each stage the outcome of our conversations, and following the second phase, provide more detailed feedback if it's a no.

+ When is the deadline to apply?

Unfortunately, applications are closed for this round, stay tuned for Q1 of 2023 when we start the next programme! Hear about it first on our Instagram, Linkedin, or Twitter.

+ What is the deal?

Our Collider programme is especially designed for martech, commerce tech, and impact startups who we will help to accelerate to product market fit and get their metrics right for the first sizeable VC investment. This is what we offer:

• Cash – smart cash that is We offer a 100K€ investment (against a valuation depending on your company status), of which you’ll receive 65K€ in cash and 35K€ in senior hands on support to bring your company to the next level.
• Crack Team – a super team that you would never be able to hire yourself 4 senior people who are experts in strategy, customer validation, sales and marketing will work with you to accelerate the growth of your company, getting in place the right capabilities, tools, metrics and results! The Crack Team members receive a small equity share so interests are aligned and they will be committed longer term.
• Connections - guaranteed accelerated customer interaction We are backed by a group of around 15 angel investors with an immense network. They are ready to share that treasure with you. This, together with Collider’s community of brands, experts, and investors built over the past 10 years, will help you get accelerated access to customers and valuable expertise.

+ Am I fit for the programme?

We are looking for B2B or B2B2C startups that provide tools to help brands and agencies better FIND, UNDERSTAND, ENGAGE WITH or SELL to consumers. In short: Marketing, Commerce and Advertising technology businesses.

For Collider, you need to have a validated technology and paying customers. If you are selling to corporates, you should have at least two successful use cases. If you are targeting SMEs, we’re looking for MRR with at least 20 customers.

Please, DO NOT apply if your startup doesn't have paying customers, is purely B2C or not related to our scope.

+ What do you define as martech and commerce tech?

Marketing, commerce and advertising technology companies are B2B or B2B2C businesses that help corporates and (S)ME's understand, find, target, engage with, convert or retain their customers.

+ What is the scope of impact tech you're investing in?

Think digital/ai solutions in energy, mobility, and agrifood.

**If you don't see your approach on this list but believe you fulfil our definition of martech, commerce tech and impact - get in touch, we'd still love to hear from you!

+ What are your selection criteria?

First of all you need to fit the basic criteria to be eligible. In round 2 and 3 we will look at

• Product/Proposition - are you solving a true customer pain or unlocking a customer needs and does the solution have impact?
• Market size and competitor dynamics
• Business model and Go to market strategy
• Team – does the team have the right diversity of skills and personalities to deliver?

+ Why do you ask about female founders in your application form on F6S?

This is purely for tracking reasons. We love female founders - we are a female founded accelerator ourselves, we have a lot of female investors and get an above average number of applications from female led startups. In general, we prefer diversity in teams (from all sorts of perspectives), but it definitely is not the only or leading selection criterion.

+ Do you accept teams without developers on the founding team?

We do, BUT you will have to commit to bringing on an in-house developer as a priority. We also require the product to be built, and all IP needs to be owned by your company. You would also need to have some other super power on your team - deep sector knowledge for example.

+ Where and when do you run accelerator programmes?

The programme is "rolling", we accept startups throughout the year and work with 2-3 startups max at the same time.

+ Our company is based outside The Netherlands, are we still eligible for the Amsterdam programme?

Yes, you are, but if you’re not a EU country, we will require you to register as a Dutch Limited Company and operate from The Netherlands for a period (usually the duration of your programme). If you wish, it is possible to keep your local company and make it a 100% subsidiary of your new company in The Netherlands.

+ Will you help with Visas?

Yes. We work together with the Dutch government and are facilitator for the Dutch Startup Visa.

+ Who are the investors - will I meet them?

Our angel investors are high net worth individuals who mainly come from the marketing, advertising and commerce tech sectors. They are seasoned professionals with past or current experience within ad agencies, major marketing functions for corporates, or have built and sold businesses themselves.

They have extensive networks within the market and are specialists in what they do. You should come to regard your investors as your mentors as there's plenty of chance to engage and build relationships with them.

+ Does participating in the Collider programme make it easier to raise money afterwards?

We all know how hard it is to raise cash on your own. The Collider 3C model - cash, coaching, connections - helps you find your product market fit at an accelerated(!) rate, and opens up doors that help you build meaningful relationships with customers and investors.

We'll give you a competitive advantage and a badge, and our little black book will get you seen by more people, faster.

+ Who is behind Collider?

Our team has accelerated more than 60 startups since 2012. With a strong track record selecting and supporting promising companies, our portfolio have raised millions.

We've founded businesses, raised investment, innovated corprate brands, created apps, launched products, IPO'd, been knocked down, got back up. We've walked a mile in plenty of shoes.

+ Do you have office space?

In Amsterdam, we can provide hot desks for startup founders participating in the programme. You are free to work from any location.

+ Do you offer free services as part of the programme?

Each startup is eligible for benefits from partners such as AWS, Google, Microsoft, SendGrid, Hubspot, IBM and more. These benefits include discounted access to platforms, technology credits, and support from experts to help start and shape your business. We confirm these benefits annually and full details are made available at the commencement of each programme!

+ How does Collider accelerate and support companies?

First of all, we're a specialist in your sector. Secondly - we've got ten years and over 60 investments under our belt - more than enough experience to know what works, and what doesn't.

Our investors (and your future investors) come from your market, and understand it like no one else. They're specialists themselves, and have access to networks that open doors.

And one more thing - our team. The decades of experience and specialism that exists in the Collider team means you always have someone you can turn to, whether it's a little niggle or an enormous speed bump.

Your time at Collider is what you make of it. In our experience, the ones who interact a lot, and take the opportunities we can offer with both hands, are the ones who are scaling.

+ What happens when the programme is over?

As one of our partners loves to say - 'we're the Hotel California; you can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave!'

Our door is always open if you need something. We have companies from our first ever cohort who still come and ask for advice and guidance, and our numbers show that the companies that attend our events, keep in touch and let us know about the highs AND the lows are the most successful from a commercial and fundraising perspective.