# FOUNDERS LEAGUE

> FOUNDERS LEAGUE is a German startup community and event company combining live pitch competitions, investor networking and founder education. Founded in 2022, it serves the German-speaking DACH startup scene and promotes a free, non-dilutive ten-week Berlin residency alongside its events and Academy.

- **Founded:** 2022
- **Headquarters:** Mannheim, Germany
- **Founders:** Marcus Diekmann (Co-founder; entrepreneur and investor), Johannes Kliesch (Co-founder; SNOCKS founder), Benjamin Diedering (Co-founder; BDX Media founder), Julian Rauch (Co-founder; founding managing director), Marc-Niclas Janz (Co-founder; co-CEO in 2024 reporting)
- **Products:** Live pitch shows and conferences, Founder meet-ups, FOUNDERS LEAGUE Academy, Berlin Residency, Event partnerships and exhibitions
- **Notable:** First funding announcement reported a €5 million valuation in January 2023., Announced €6.5 million valuation in May 2023., Mainz show drew 600 guests in June 2023, according to the company.

## Products & services

- **Live pitch shows and conferences** — Startup pitches before entrepreneurial juries and audiences, with networking, panels, masterclasses and expo formats; several shows offer a €10,000 winner prize.
- **Founder meet-ups** — Smaller networking events; 2024 coverage describes formats with up to 150 participants.
- **FOUNDERS LEAGUE Academy** — Founder education through mentoring, expert calls and online learning. The first cohort began in January 2024; historical offers vary in duration and price.
- **Berlin Residency** — Currently advertised as ten weeks of free, non-dilutive support, with Delta Campus office space and more than 30 mentors.
- **Event partnerships and exhibitions** — Tailored partner offers give companies exhibition space and access to founders, investors and executives.

## Achievements

- First funding announcement reported a €5 million valuation in January 2023.
- Announced €6.5 million valuation in May 2023.
- Mainz show drew 600 guests in June 2023, according to the company.
- Munich seventh edition drew nearly 1,000 guests in February 2024, according to the company.
- Förderfrage reported more than 260 enquiries within one week after its Bremen appearance.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Mannheim event was listed for 19 March at Palazzo, with two stages, more than 20 speakers, four three-minute startup pitches and a €10,000 prize; ticket sales began at €39.
- **2024-12** — Hamburg meet-up listed for 5 December at Polestar Hamburg, featuring startup pitches and an entrepreneurial jury.
- **2024-02** — MaleUp won the €10,000 prize at the Munich seventh edition.

## Links

- Website: https://www.foundersleague.de/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/founders-league101/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiNn-u8rTUi6_cCOcLGxJ5oIBghczB5y8
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersleague.de/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/founders-league
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-07