Last Thursday marked the start of the BK-Launch Mentor Programme 2026 with an energetic kick-off afternoon dedicated to one thing: bringing the right people together.
At BK-Launch, we believe that good mentorship can make all the difference for early-stage entrepreneurs. That is why we work closely with partners from the Built Environment who are genuinely motivated to support the next generation of innovators in our sector. We were joined by representatives from Smits Vastgoedzorg, Oosterhoff (ABT) and TBI, who each brought their practical knowledge and experience to the table. A big thank you to all three for showing up and engaging so enthusiastically with our participants.
Alongside mentors from our partner organisations, a number of academic mentors from TU Delft were also present. They offer a different but equally valuable perspective, supporting participants with research-based insights and the kind of critical questions that help sharpen ideas. With a total of 10 mentors available, the 18 attending ventures and PhD researchers had plenty of excellent options to explore.
The afternoon kicked off with short introductions from each of the mentors, giving participants a sense of who was in the room and what they could offer. After that, it was over to the entrepreneurs. Using poster presentations, they introduced themselves, their ventures and the challenges they are currently facing. Mentors moved through the room, stopping for conversations wherever a connection seemed promising.
The session closed with drinks, giving everyone the chance to follow up on earlier conversations and, where the fit felt right, agree on next steps. The energy in the room was genuinely something special. With 18 aspiring entrepreneurs and 10 experienced mentors all in one space, the conversations were lively, substantive and, we hope, the beginning of some very fruitful collaborations.
Who is the BK-Launch Mentor Programme for?
The programme is designed for entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. Whether you are a student with a business plan you want to take seriously, a PhD researcher looking to explore how your work could translate into a viable venture, or someone who has already taken the first steps and is ready to think about what comes next – there is a place for you here. In short, if you are an aspiring entrepreneur who could benefit from experienced guidance, a sounding board, or specific expertise, this programme is worth looking into.
What happens next?
Mentors and participants now have the space to arrange follow-up meetings and shape the mentorship to fit their individual needs. In addition, BK-Launch will facilitate a series of plenary sessions throughout the programme, focused on themes that many of our entrepreneurs encounter along the way.
We are excited to see what this year's programme will bring, both for the participants and the mentors. A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the kick-off such a success.
Want to see what the afternoon looked like? Have a browse through the photos on our Flickr page.
Category: Events