Why Choose Athena Ventures?
Athena Ventures is best known for empowering students and first-time founders to launch their own startups. We guide you step by step, providing hands-on mentorship, practical support, and funding opportunities to turn your ideas into real businesses. What makes Athena Ventures different is our commitment to staying by your side as your co-founders, not just advisors, helping you at every stage—from ideation to pitching to investors.
Candidates value our personalized approach, where they can keep 93% equity, receive income support for six months, and work closely with successful mentors who have built million-dollar companies. We believe anyone can build a successful business, regardless of their background or experience, and our program is open to all.
Our mission is to create a positive impact by helping 1 million students become founders, contributing to a global entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our program, we aim to spark innovation, create jobs, and support sustainable business practices, empowering young founders to drive change in their communities and beyond.
What Can Candidates Expect in Our Recruitment Process?
At Athena Ventures, our recruitment process is simple, clear, and designed to help us get to know you as a future founder. Here’s what to expect:
1. Application:
Submit your application through our website. Include a brief introduction about yourself, your skills, and any startup ideas (if any). No CV or academic transcript is needed—just tell us why you want to be a founder and what you’re excited to build.
2. Founder Interview:
Top candidates will then have a one-on-one video interview with Rob Liu, our founder. This interview is more in-depth, focusing on your goals, how you handle challenges, and your fit for the program. Expect questions on resilience, adaptability, and why you’re passionate about building something new.
Selection Criteria:
We look for candidates who:
Successful applicants have the drive to create something impactful, embrace challenges, and show a commitment to learning and growing as a founders. At Athena Ventures, it’s less about experience and more about your readiness to build and make a difference.
What Remuneration and Career Growth Can Candidates Expect?
As part of our program, Athena Ventures matches your current salary (in USD) for six months so you can focus entirely on building your startup. Additionally, we provide up to $50,000 in seed funding for your venture, allowing you to kick-start your business without immediate financial stress. For Singapore-based founders, we also assist in applying for matching government grants to boost your funding even further.
Other Benefits:
Career Opportunities:
At Athena Ventures, you won’t just learn about startups; you’ll actively build one, gaining real experience in ideation, product development, customer acquisition, and pitching to investors. This early responsibility and exposure to all facets of building a company provide a fast track to valuable skills and industry insight.
Growth and Promotion:
Though not a traditional job role, our program is designed to help you grow quickly as a founder and CEO of your own company. With our step-by-step support, many participants establish a viable business and secure their first customers within the program. Successful participants have opportunities to pitch for additional funding and continue growing their ventures independently after the 6-month program.