Velocity Fellows

Entreprenörer! Sista ansökningsdagen för Velocity Fellows. En kostnadsfri och livsförändrande resa till San Francisco! När jag var 17 och startade mitt första företag hade jag både stora drömmar och hög arbetsmoral. Det jag däremot saknade var ett nätverk av likasinnade som kunde pusha mig att ta mina visioner och idéer hela vägen. Jag vet att jag inte är ensam med detta och saker har ändå gått ganska bra för mig. Men jag tänker så klart ibland på var jag hade tagit detta om jag var exempelvis i San Francisco istället? Om du är en entreprenör med stora drömmar, tidigt i din resa behöver du inte ställa samma frågor. Istället kan du söka till Velocity och hänga med till San Francisco på en resa som jag organiserar med Alfred Wahlforss och Wilhelm Bolin, generöst sponsrad och möjliggjord av EQT och Sprint. På plats får du träffa entreprenörer som byggt bolag värda miljarder i en intim miljö. Vi besöker även ledningsgruppen i bolag som OpenAI och Snowflake men även små startups som precis blev klara med Y Combinator. En av dagarna är "investor day", där vi träffar partners från Y Combinator, Sequoia, Thrive Capital (investerar just nu $1B i OpenAI). Sandra och Ted från EQT och Henrik från Sprint finns nära till hands under resan. Förhoppningsvis kan vi vara en inflektionspunkt och katalysator i din bolagsresa 🚀 📸: Ena bilden visar när jag och Tuhin Bhattacharyya signerade vårt första företagssälj med FramtidNu och andra visar er ett besök på OpenAI's kontor med förra årets batch. Med det sagt är idag sista dagen att söka. Läs mer, sök själv eller tipsa någon som bör söka i kommentarerna⬇️⬇️

⏰ Less than 48 hours left to apply! Get a fully-funded trip to San Francisco, meet top entrepreneurs, and secure investment for your business or idea! Last year, we took 10 Swedish founders to SF for a week of networking and inspiration. The results? Over €50M raised collectively, a Y Combinator acceptance, and even a company acquisition. Thanks to EQT Ventures and Sprints, we’re doing it again! From November 6-13, you’ll meet founders and key players from organizations like OpenAI, Y Combinator, Cognition and many more! Apply by September 23rd – link in comments! (Photo taken at OpenAI headquarters)

7/10 🥁 As we approach the deadline for applications, we are also coming close to featuring our last batch members. Next up is Wilma Emanuelsson. With a dream of becoming a hacker already at age 7 and many projects since then, Wilma joined the Velocity batch building synchronized audio for reading through eye tracking. What was your favorite moment of the trip? "The highlights were getting to know the other participants and experiencing unique aspects of startup culture together. Visiting the hacker house hf0 and meeting Cory Levy on the rooftop were particularly memorable and inspiring moments." What was the biggest surprise? "Honestly, a lot. In many ways, it felt like stepping onto a new planet with APIs being advertised on billboards along the highway. Furthermore, the emphasis on future potential over past achievements was refreshing. Above all, the most surprising aspect was how deeply ingrained tech culture is, creating the perfect ecosystem for startups to thrive. It's truly a world designed for innovation." How did Velocity Fellows impact your startup journey? "It opened my eyes to vast opportunities, with everything moving faster and on a larger scale. The experience challenged my entrepreneurial mindset, leading to important realizations and changes in my approach." We know Wilma is already making big waves and attracting a lot of interest. We are super excited to keep following you and all the amazing things you will build. Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of September. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

6/10 🥁 Following the last post of Martin Blomberg, the next batch member Aron Stålmarck also joined the Velocity Fellowship with a research-inspired idea focusing on protein design by using LLMs. What have you been up to since Velocity last year? "Have kept working on generative protein design, and we’ve put out a preprint.” What was your favorite moment of the trip? “Enjoyed talking to all the great mentors, but especially the Stanford visit, meeting Damir Vrabac, Henrik Marklund, and Silas Alberti.” What was the biggest surprise? “I think how little bureaucracy and how straightforward the mindset is in SF. If you present a good idea and plan, then people are in.” How did Velocity Fellows impact your startup journey? “The trip gave me tons of great tips, but the best part has been keeping in touch with fellows and mentors after. These guys are making insane progress in a short time. They remind me to keep my ambition high and pick up the pace, way beyond what most consider realistic.” We are excited to follow your progress Aron and hope that your research will lead to breakthroughs that can change the world for the better! Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of September. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

5/10 🥁 Halfway through, we are presenting Martin Blomberg. With a strong work ethic and passion for impact his initiative Agteria Biotech is on a mission to reduce global greenhouse emissions with 1%. Sounds crazy, but one year in they have some serious traction. What have you been up to since Velocity last year? "Achieved 70% methane reduction in cows using <1g/day in trials. Secured LOIs and co-finance studies with major dairy/beef firms. Raised $1.5M pre-seed, filed patents, and expanded the team.” What was your favorite moment of the trip? “Waking up at 4 AM to Max Junestrand taking a meeting in the bedroom, cheering after closing a huge deal with one of the biggest law firms 😂." What was the biggest surprise? “Meeting other young builders and realizing how much speed, drive, and shared traits we had (except that everyone worked with AI, and I with cows).” How did Velocity Fellows impact your startup journey?  “Made me realize everything is about speed - grow fast or die. Made us go from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1 to 5 in less than 6 months. I don't think any biotech company in the world has been running that fast.” With climate change being one of the most pressing issues globally we are probably not the only ones that are hoping that you continue on this track Martin! Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of September. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

4/10 🥁 Almost halfway through we are presenting the 4th batch member - Ebba Olin. With an impressive CV and strong passion towards femtech, Ebba joined the last Velocity batch with a Female hygiene product reducing PCOS symptoms. What have you been up to since Velocity last year? "I’ve worked in consulting and big tech at Tesla, and remained active in projects focused on femtech.” What was your favorite moment of the trip? “The AI tinkerers event for connecting with incredibly smart and hardworking people. Also, all conversations within the Velocity group throughout the mentors sessions (and whilst running up and down the streets of SF between offices!).” What was the biggest surprise? “The SF ecosystem is a lot more collaborative and encouraging than I thought, there’s literally endless opportunities and 10 events happening every day. I’m still in contact with many I met through Velocity, and would encourage anyone who is building something to apply and explore for themselves!” Not long ago, Flo Health became Europe's first femtech unicorn. We hope to have you back in the startup world soon Ebba, hopefully building one or more of the coming ones! Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of September. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

3/10 🥁 Next up is Charles Maddock,  one of the Velocity 2023 batch members that have taken his initiative the furthest. A company with the long term vision of unlocking the internet for AI agents called Dendrite. What have you been up to since Velocity last year? "Kept iterating on our product and are now closing our pre-seed with investors we met during the trip.” What was your favorite moment of the trip? “Speaking to like-minded AI agent builders at the events we got into, thanks to Velocity Fellows.” How did Velocity Fellows impact your startup journey? “It had a crucial impact on my journey. We raised capital and are moving to SF next year, largely thanks to the experience and insights gained from Velocity Fellows.” We are super excited to keep following Charles and the Dendrite team as they will contribute to making AI agents more useful. Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of September. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

2/10 🥁 Presenting Marcus Persson, another 18-year-old superstar that joined the Velocity 2023 batch with his initiative Zellify - a Shopify for digital products. What have you been up to since Velocity last year? "Over the past year, we've refined our platform, conducted trials, gathered feedback, built a customer community, and are soon launching. What was your favorite moment of the trip?  “Engaging with successful San Franciscans and fellow participants sparked invaluable insights and connections.” What was the biggest surprise?  "The level of insight obtained. While reading about insights like 'cockroach mindset' and staying lean, the meetings with YC alumni and founders clarified and exemplified this." How did Velocity Fellows impact your startup journey? “The Velocity Fellowship was a game-changer. It helped us build long-lasting connections and secure crucial resources like AWS benefits as well as enduring knowledge about gaining Product-Market Fit, big thinking, and rapid iteration.” We truly believe that the Zellify launch can be a game-changer for anyone selling digital products and we are super excited to follow your next steps Marcus! Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of September. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

1/10 🥁 The coming weeks you will get to know the members from last year's batch. Starting off with Isaak Fabien Sundeman. An 18-year-old superstar that joined the Velocity 2023 batch with his initiative Mathi-AI: What have you been working on since last year? "I kept working on Mathi-AI and created an iOS app for it and at its peak, the monthly revenue was $2400. Soon launching new exciting projects." What was your favorite moment of the trip?  “Visiting the OpenAI office or speaking to Cory Levy from Z fellows." How did Velocity Fellows impact your startup journey? “The experience significantly boosted my ambition and business knowledge, most likely drastically accelerating my path towards building larger companies.” We are super excited to follow your next steps Isaak Fabien Sundeman! Are you interested in a similar experience? Remember that applications for this year's batch are open until the 23rd of september. Link in the comments ⬇️ ⬇️

Apply for a fully-funded trip to San Francisco, meet top entrepreneurs, and secure investment for your business or idea! Last year, Wilhelm Bolin and Alfred Wahlforss took 10 Swedish founders to San Francisco for a week of networking and inspiration in building fast and big. Since then, the batch has collectively raised about €50M with other notable achievements including a participant's acceptance into Y Combinator and another's company being acquired by a major tech firm. Thanks to EQT Ventures and Sprints, as well as a helping hand from Elis Hodzic we are doing it again. Applications are now open for this year’s trip, happening November 6–13. Meet founders and/or key players from organizations such as OpenAI, Y Combinator and Cornershop(Uber) and receive an optional investment at favorable terms. Apply by September 23rd using the link in the comments!