Date: 2026-09-16
JUMP is where most DLAB founders start - the moment you stop turning an idea over in your head and start testing it against the real world. No business plan, no polished pitch, no proof you've got it all figured out yet. Just curiosity, an early-stage idea, and the willingness to find out what it's actually made of.
Over one month, DLAB doesn't just tell you how startups work - we put you in the room with peers figuring it out alongside you. Before you build a startup, learn how to start one.
Next cohort: November 2026
1 month, 4 sessions (1 onboarding + 3 workshops)
Weekly on Thursdays, 14:00-17:00
In-person, at DLAB's co-working space
A realistic understanding of the startup journey and what founders actually go through
Clarity on where you stand now and what your next step looks like
Practical tools to understand your customer and validate their problem
A cohort of peers to learn and grow alongside, and a shared language with them
The confidence and direction to continue independently into the rest of the JUMP phase
Students, researchers, staff, or recent alumni of VU, UvA, HvA, or Amsterdam UMC
You're testing a new concept or developing a research-based solution
You haven't validated your idea with real customers yet, and you're not sure what to focus on first
You want an honest look at what entrepreneurship actually asks of you before committing further
Four in-person sessions across one month, each with a short preparation assignment (max. 1 hour).
Onboarding (2h) - Meeting the DLAB team, understanding how DLAB works, and getting set up
Startups 101 (3h) - Understand the game before you start playing it. What a startup actually is, how scalable business models work, and why your first job is finding the people who need what you're making
The Art of Founders (3h) - Entrepreneurship starts with you. The mindset, behaviours, and habits founders need, and an honest look at your own fit and commitment
Kickstarting the JUMP Phase (3h) - Step into the shoes of your customer. Finding your first customers, running problem interviews, and identifying your earlyvangelist
Along the way, you'll make three shifts that carry through the rest of your time at DLAB - and honestly, the rest of your founder life: from solution-first to problem-first, from assumptions to evidence, and from doing everything to focusing on what actually matters.
JUMP doesn't end when the four sessions do. We stay in touch during your progress sessions afterward, and when you'reready, we'll help you find your way into a more advanced programmes.
Attend all four sessions - the foundation only holds if you're there for each one
Complete the short preparation assignment before each session
Be open about your own motivation and readiness
Do I need a business plan or prototype to apply? No. You just need an early-stage idea and the willingness to test it.
Do I always have to do JUMP first? For most founders, yes - it's the standard starting point. If you already have a validated problem, early traction (like signed letters of intent or pilots), or an MVP, DLAB may place you directly into a later-stage programme instead.
Can I apply as a solo founder? Yes, though DLAB encourages building a team as you move forward.
Is JUMP really free? Yes - all DLAB programmes are free, as long as you're eligible and selected. DLAB never takes equity or shares in your startup, at JUMP or any later stage.
What happens after JUMP? You continue into the rest of the JUMP phase - customer discovery and problem validation - but not alone. You remain an active part of the DLAB community, supported through rolling workshops, peer coaching, and ongoing guidance.
Ready to make the jump? JUMP runs four times a year, following the academic calendar: September, November, January, and May.
For questions, please email: dlab@vu.nl
