Following a highly competitive application process, Ventures Beyond Borders (VBB) has selected its 2026 Bootcamp cohort, bringing together 158 early-stage refugee entrepreneurs from across the globe. The program will support founders in developing their ventures through training in financial modeling, grant readiness and pitching.
Together, these founders are building solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing displaced and underserved communities worldwide.
The cohort reflects a diverse group of founders working across sectors, including technology and AI, food and hospitality, health and wellness, education and workforce development, fashion and consumer products, sustainability and social enterprise.
“This year we received a record number of applications,” said VBB Chief Executive Officer, Johannes Lang. “We are excited to partner with an excellent teaching team with decades of experience in the business and impact space.”
Cohort Overview
A total of 227 applications were received for the 2026 Bootcamp, with 158 founders selected. The cohort represents more than 20 countries of origin and is currently based across the United States, Canada and Europe.
The selected entrepreneurs come from Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Palestine, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Libya, and are now living in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal, Uganda, Greece, Germany, Italy and France.
Many participants are building businesses shaped by their lived experience of displacement and resilience.
Program Overview
For the first time, VBB is offering two parallel tracks: one focused on business and one on entrepreneurship, led by experienced entrepreneur and investor Ali Aghayan and entrepreneurship educator and mentor Ian Mulholland.
The Business Bootcamp is a four-week intensive, running from April 6 to April 28, and the Social Impact Track, from April 28 to May 21, is designed to equip early-stage refugee entrepreneurs with the tools to build and grow their ventures.
Through a combination of practical training, mentorship, and peer learning, founders strengthen core business skills and refine their ideas into viable, scalable models.
It also features guest speakers, many with lived experience of displacement, who share insights on building ventures in complex and resource-constrained environments.
By the end of the program, founders are equipped with clearer business strategies, stronger networks, and the tools needed to move their ventures forward.
Pathway to the Accelerator
Selected participants will advance to the VBB Accelerator, a multi-month program running from June to December that focuses on growth and investment readiness. Founders receive one-on-one mentorship, weekly sessions with entrepreneurs and investors, and access to legal and accounting support.
The program includes weekly sessions led by experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, covering topics such as go-to-market strategy, financial planning, fundraising, legal structuring, and scaling operations. Founders can also participate in optional peer accountability sessions to exchange feedback and resources.
At the conclusion of the program, participants can apply for $5,000–$10,000 in grants, and pitch for equity investment for up to $100,000.
While top bootcamp participants will join the accelerator program, the application will also be open to the public.
About VBB
VBB is an AFF-incubated program, a nonprofit venture fund focused on building a global network of refugee entrepreneurs. Through education, mentorship and access to capital, VBB supports founders in turning ideas into sustainable businesses and creating pathways to economic independence.
To learn more about VBB and its programs, visit: https://venturesbeyondborders.com/.