GAME.
bonding.
DISCOVerY.
compete, and discover which venture fits you.
Athlete founders game
Founder-venture fit
"Founder-venture fit" is when a venture matches the founder's knowledge, strengths, passions, values and resources. It's the crucial first step for athletes curious about entrepreneurship. Form teams around shared interests, create a website and pitch to judges. Best founder-venture fit wins.
bonding & mentorship
The game brings together international athletes who have the same desires from every sport. Athletes are mentored by former athletes turned entrepreneurs who bring diverse approaches to getting started, and by founders with athletes as co-founders. Learn what worked or didn't to find your fit.
VIBRANT startup city
The game takes place in Ghent's Wintercircus, a hub for entrepreneurs in one of Europe's top startup cities. It's the perfect mix to get inspired while enjoying a reunion with former teammates, classmates, rivals or new connections in this vibrant medieval city.
Unsure what fits you?
For active and retired elite athletes curious about the startup world. Whether you have no idea where to start, have an idea but want to test your fit, or already started but it doesn't feel right — this game is for you.
Join fellow athletes on the same mission
The first Athlete Founders Game brings together 30 international athletes from different sports, all curious to discover what venture could fit them. You'll team up based on similar interests and compete over 3 days, guided by 5 mentors. Only 1 team wins.
FIND YOUR FIT, AT YOUR PACE
Our promise: you'll learn how to assess your fit with venture opportunities through our framework, 100+ athlete founder examples, mentors and fellow athletes. Finding your fit takes time. We give you the skills, structure, potential co-founders, mentors and tools to keep discovering long after the game ends.
Your role in the game
the best fit wins
Before the game, discover ideas that excite you. During the game, find partners who share your interest and team up on one. Together, build a website for your venture using our Founder-Venture Fit framework. On the final day, pitch your team's fit. A jury picks the winner.
Build & Discover with AI
You'll learn to build your own website using AI tools, a key skill for testing founder-venture fit. All participants get access to our AI Assistant, built only for this game, powered by a database of 100+ athlete founders. Use it to explore ideas and learn what worked and what didn't.
experience the founder energy
Play the game in one of Ghent's most iconic startup hubs, home to 30 startups. The perfect setting to step into the world of an athlete founder and make your experience feel real. Ghent is in the top 20 of best startup ecosystems in Europe. Learn from other founders as mentors.
bonding in a vibrant medieval city
The game will take place in the Wintercircus, an entrepreneurial hub in Ghent. Did you know that Ghent is ranked in the to 20 of Innovation startup ecosystems. Not only will participants experience a highly inspirational venue. We also promise you a great time in Ghent, meeting other athletes on this new journey together.
The mentors
Timeline
Breakfast at the Wintercircus & introduction Athlete Founders Game
Challenge 1: Find Your Team
Lunch Break at Wintercircus
Interactive discussion withAthlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 2: Draft your Founder-Venture Fit + feedback mentors
Restaurant in the center & evening walk
Breakfast at Wintercircus
Interactive discussion with Athlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 3: Build the audience & team sections in website
Lunch & Tour in Wintercircus
Interactive Discussion with Athlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 4: build your solution sections in website
Restaurant & evening walk
Breakfast at Wintercircus
Interactive discussion with Athlete Founder Mentor
Challenge 5: Finalise website & pitch for closing event
Lunch at Wintercircus
Extra time for final pitch
Start Pitch Event with Jury
Announce winner of game
Closing reception with Food & Drinks in Wintercircus
The organisers
andres vanryckeghem
Andres has a decade of experience in top-tier consulting and startups. Startup games helped him step away from his routine and discover new business ideas. This experience and his curiosity about athlete founders motivated him to create a startup game for elite athletes. He partnered with Niklas to design an experience that resonates fully with elite athletes and would have the same benefits he experienced.
Niklas Wimberg
Niklas has been playing professional basketball for 12 years at the highest level in Germany and Europe, representing the national team. While still active, he gained entrepreneurial experience in venture capital and became managing shareholder of a basketball club. This convinced him athletes need early business exposure, which is why he joined Andres to create the first athlete business game.
How to apply
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Fill in the application form
Admission Result
Registration & Payment
Get Your ticket
Benefit from early bird discount if you apply before 30/04. You can also benefit from referrals in which you can get 20% of the ticket value
Early bird
This is included:
- Access 3 day business game in Wintercircus
- Access to mentors during game
- Access to Exclusive AI Assistant & Database of Athlete Founders
- Breakfast, Lunch, drinks during the business game
- Discount link for hotel
Not included:
- Accommodation
- Dinner on 03/07 and 04/07
This is included:
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Regular Price
This is included:
- Access 3 day business game in Wintercircus
- Access to mentors during game
- Access to exclusive AI Assistant & Database of Athlete Founders
- Breakfast, lunch, drinks during the business game
- Reception with drinks & food on final evening
- Discount link for hotel
This is included:
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Frequently asked questions
Stay at Yalo Hotel which is a 5 min walk from the Wintercircus
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