Accelerator Programme

INSIDE THE WDCD ACCELERATOR

Following Sprint Week, the winners of the WDCD Accelerator will join a six-week program designed to refine and expand their ideas. During this time, 10 selected teams will enhance their innovations, sharpen their skills, connect with mentors, and become part of WDCD’s growing alumni community.

They will also gain access to a global network of partners to help validate their businesses, expand their reach, and integrate design principles into their climate solutions.

The goal? To equip the next generation of designers and creative entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to drive the circular transition.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The WDCD Accelerator is an equity-free programme that supports initiatives with established social or creative enterprises that use design as a transformative tool to create sustainable impact and drive regenerative growth, contributing to a circular society. It is shaped around three main verticals; Creativity (mindset), Entrepreneurship (toolset), and Leadership (skillset) for impact.

● The programme covers a period of six weeks and is designed to support early-stage and growth-stage projects.

The centre of the programme is an intense Sprint Week, where representatives from each team gather in Amsterdam to connect and learn from each other in person. Throughout the five-day programme, winners share their stories, set their intentions, meet their mentors, visit studios of Dutch designers and changemakers and join various masterclasses by selected experts in circular design, strategy and entrepreneurship.

JOIN TO THE Tailored Masterclasses

Gain access to various online training modules to refine your business strategy, improve your marketing and communication strategy, and further develop your leadership skills.

VISIT DESIGN STUDIOS, Grow Your Network

Connect with fellow creative innovators, visit the studios of inspiring Dutch design entrepreneurs, and meet leading experts in your field.

ROCK THE GLOBAL STAGE

Present your project on the WDCD stage in front of 1000+ experts, professionals and creatives in Amsterdam

GET 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP

Connect with design, circularity, business and industry experts in 1-on-1 conversations to answer your burning questions.

GAIN PUBLICITY

Receive valuable press coverage and media exposure through WDCD’s channels and our extensive network of partners

Join WDCD GLOBAL DESIGN community

Stay connected to WDCD alumni, design leaders & industry experts

Win €7,777 Secrid Talent Award and join Dutch Design Week

Secrid pledges 1% of revenues to support talented designers who are driving positive change with new inventions. In the scope of the fund, Secrid supports WDCD as a global strategic partner to reach out to the most innovative design innovators. The three winners of the WDCD Accelerator will be selected by Secrid to be part of the Secrid Talent Podium.