X!LEAD Innovation Programme

Why join?

We recruit and select the best tech Talents from our extensive network, Talent you otherwise wouldn’t meet.
We bridge the gap between university and working life by empowering our Talents with our tailor-made development programme.
We fuel innovation with our projects and connect you with other partner companies, start-ups, scale-ups and field labs which offers you the opportunity to innovate together.

Does my project match X!LEAD?

Every X!LEAD project must address innovation challenges at the intersection of business, strategy and technology and be feasible (regarding its duration).

The Talents explore new initiatives, work on existing innovation projects, or on optimizing products/services through the X!LEAD projects.
In the past, our talents have innovated on themes like energy transition, health, the future of work, and food transition.
You have the opportunity to suggest ideas or themes and to discuss the possibilities with our programme manager.

Can you offer what we’re looking for?

Before you can join as partner, we make sure that every partner company and X!LEAD project:

Addresses innovative challenges on the intersection of business, strategy and technology
Is challenging and feasible for the duration of the project
Has sufficient guidance from the organization to ensure the talent can make an impact

To ensure a successful project execution, we plan several evaluation moments during the course of the programme. In addition, we expect you to provide mentorship — to share your knowledge, expertise and skills with your Talent.

What is the partnership investment?

The programme investment is EUR 59,- per hour per Talent (excluding VAT) for our half-year partnership, and EUR 49,- per hour per Talent (excluding VAT) for our 1-year partnership. This includes recruitment, selection, matching, personal & professional development through coaching and training, salary and employers’ contribution and network events.

Can I hire a Talent afterwards?

Yes! Our programme results in highly trained and driven innovation professionals with a unique mindset because they gained experience in diverse environments. X!LEAD talents are an absolute addition to any company and could be your future employee as soon as the programme ends.

When can the Talent start on my project?

For start-ups/scale-ups/field labs, you can enter our programme between March and August 2023. Do you want to join per March 2023? Contact us before January 10, 2023.

For corporates, you can enter our programme twice a year, either per March or September.

Does my profile match this programme?

Do you recognize yourself in the following?

Completed a technical master’s
Eager to accelerate innovation within large corporates and experience what it is like to work at a dynamic start-up
Interested to develop and implement propositions with the latest technologies
Have an entrepreneurial mindset, are ambitious and driven to take full advantage of this opportunity
Naturally curious
Perseverance and can handle the pressure
Team player who understands the value of collaboration with a can-do mentality
A growth mindset and a positive attitude focused on solution-based thinking
Relevant experience that underpins the above
Willing to travel (in the Netherlands) since our partners are located in different places

What does X!LEAD offer?

1.5-year contract from Brunel and an equal salary for all trainees
Experience at a start-up or field lab and two corporates
Intensive tailor-made development program with a focus on personal leadership, professional and innovation skills
Multiple events during the program which connects our diverse network
€2.500,- gross per month during first six months (in the start-up phase), based on a 40-hour working week
€2.800,- gross per month for the remaining 12 months (in the corporate phase), based on a 40-working week
Good terms of employment, such as a good pension, collective insurance and a Benefit Budget via Brunel
39 days’ holiday during 1.5-year
Travel allowances, f.e. a public transport card
A laptop and phone you can also use privately

What are the top reasons why I should join?

Kick-start your career and grow into a future innovation leader by challenging yourself and gaining experience within complex strategic innovation projects
Immerse yourself in a unique experience, at both a start-up and corporate environment, which will provide you with valuable insights, enable you to discover what environment suits you best, and gives direction to your career in innovation
Get to know yourself even better, focus on personal growth, discover your talents and further develop your strengths and skillset through our personal approach and guidance through our tailor-made development programme
Enter the work-life with your group of trainees, learn from and with this inspiring group of peers and create a bond that lasts
Become part of our X!LEAD Community and reap the benefits for the coming years!

What are the application requirements?

If you want to apply for the X!LEAD Programme, these are requirements you have to meet:

You are ambitious, driven and determined to take full advantage of this opportunity
You are a (soon-to-be) graduate with a technical master’s degree from a Dutch university and have no more than two years of working experience
You have a professional working knowledge of English; (professional working knowledge of Dutch is not required but can be an asset for specific partners)
You have legal eligibility to work in The Netherlands for the duration of the programme. For the first six months of the programme, you need to apply for the Zoekjaarvisa yourself to have legal eligibility to work in the Netherlands. After these six months, if the Zoekjaarvisa has expired, Brunel (our administrative partner) will apply for a Kennismigrant visa
You are willing to travel (in The Netherlands) because our partners are located at different places

What are my career opportunities after X!LEAD?

28 X!LEAD trainees have already preceded you! Your predecessors have gained experience over 1.5-year in various industries and diverse functions. Most have continued to work directly at one of the X!LEAD partner companies. Sounds good, right?

X!LEAD accelerates your professional growth and personal development. Upon successful completion of this Innovation Programme, you are equipped with the necessary skillset and work experience to further your career and impact technological innovation. There is a good chance that after the program you will be offered a job by one of the organizations in the X!LEAD partner network! The majority of our Talents receive multiple job offers from different companies; all of them secure a job before their X!LEAD journey ends.

Now working within various companies, some of the roles our alumni Talents take on include: Product Owner, Data Analyst, Security Specialist, Innovation Strategists, Strategic Designer, Project Manager Data & Digitization and Innovation Consultant

Do I have a say in the companies I work with?

Yes! The matching of the projects and companies takes place before the start of each rotation through a thorough and carefully
designed process, and is based on the preferences of all talents and partners — which guarantees a highly motivating match for both.

Waarom meedoen als partnerbedrijf?

Wij werven en selecteren de beste technische talenten uit ons uitgebreide netwerk; talent dat jouw bedrijf anders niet zou ontmoeten.
Wij overbruggen de kloof tussen de universiteit en het beroepsleven door onze Talenten de kans te geven zich te ontwikkelen met ons ontwikkelingsprogramma op maat.
We versnellen innovatie met onze projecten en verbinden je met andere partnerbedrijven, start-ups, scale-ups en field labs.
Een uitgelezen kans om een betekenisvolle impact te maken!

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