Founder Associate Program

The Founder Associate Program is a 6–12 month, full-time experience for ambitious, entrepreneurial builders who want to be close to the action.

Starting in September or October 2025, you’ll join two or more early-stage startups from the Atlantic Labs and FoodLabs portfolios — working side-by-side with founders solving big problems in sectors like AI, climate, food, health, robotics, and deep tech.

You won’t be observing — you’ll be building.

Who We Are

We’re Atlantic Labs and FoodLabs — two early-stage VC funds based in Berlin. Together, we’ve backed 160 companies tackling global challenges across climate, biotech, mobility, AI, robotics, food innovation, and more.

We invest early and stay close. Our goal: help founders build companies that matter from day one.

What’s the Deal?

You’ll rotate through two or more portfolio companies, working on high-impact projects across product, ops, go-to-market, and more. Along the way, you’ll also get:

• 1:1 mentorship from our investment team
• Coaching from our venture development experts
• Masterclasses with operators and investors
• Company visits
• Fireside chats with founders
• Access to our founder community

If you’re serious about launching your own startup someday, this is the place to start.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people who move fast, think independently, and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Maybe you're about to graduate. Maybe you’ve already built something. Maybe you’ve been in high-pressure environments and delivered. We don’t care much about titles — we care about drive, clarity, and execution.

You should be:

• Comfortable with ambiguity and learning on the fly
• Energized by working across different teams and problems
• Curious, proactive, and ready to challenge assumptions

What You’ll Need

• Education: Nearing the end of your studies or recently graduated — or you’ve done something that shows you’re serious about building
• Mindset: You act like a founder — resourceful, focused, and always moving
• Availability: Full-time for 6–12 months, starting September or October 2025

Why Join

• Work with fast-moving, high-potential startups
• Learn how real companies are built — from scratch
• Get access to a network of founders, investors, and operators
• Build a foundation for your own venture

Apply Now — Spots Are Limited!

Applications are open from April 17 – May 16

→ Interviews will take place May 19 – 21

Make sure you're available for intro interviews during that week.

📅 Want to learn more before applying?

We’re hosting a live Q&A session on May 2nd at 2:00 PM.

Ask your questions, hear from past participants, and get the inside scoop on the program.

👉 Sign up here