Berlin Cohort 2 is a group of 80 individuals with a strong background and expertise in tech, science or business. 34 different nationalities make up the cohort. 47% of them have founded a startup before and 32% hold a PhD. 33% of the prospective climate tech founders are female. On average, a participant has 13.3 years of work experience. Almost one in three has children under the age of 16.

All are united by a commitment to dedicate their energy and experience to fighting climate change and building ventures that have the potential to prevent or reduce 10 million tonnes of CO2 and equivalent per year, when  at scale. The support of the Carbon13 team, the Entrepreneurs in Residence, Domain Experts and the many other partners and mentors on the programme is designed to help them achieve this goal.

Just a few weeks after the completion of the first Venture Builder Programme from Berlin, we are now launching the second cohort. And we have built a bridge right from the start. In a video message, all of the Cohort 1 founders gave advice to the new starters. Even if crazy things happen, “trust the process” or “no matter what happens, you are already winners” was the message.

Fostering personal connection

The start of the ten-week Phase 1 of the Venture Builder programme aims to make it easier for all 80 participants to get to know each other and break the ice. We are convinced that no matter how good the idea may be, if the founding team and the bond between them is not right, then there will be no scaling. And, therefore, no impact.

Two cornerstones for the development of personal connection are the sessions by Anna Marsden and Paul Bourne.

Anna provided the participants with tools for authentic communication and an understanding of different ways of thinking and communicating.

Paul used many exercises to break the ice and shed light on the personalities and personal experiences of the founders. This forms the start for further storytelling sessions, but, above all, offers opportunities to get into conversation at the beginning of the programme.

The foundation stone has been laid. All participants with commercial backgrounds have spoken to all participants with a technical background (or vice versa). Over the next 10 weeks, it will be up to the participants to form teams and find a problem to solve that could reduce or save 10 million tonnes of CO2.

A big thank you goes to Siemens Energy for their support during the kick-off event. And of course to all the participants. We are counting on you.