Scaling a start-up to a structured, high-growth firm is one of the most exciting and demanding journeys in entrepreneurship. As your team grows and challenges become more complex, you need to evolve into a strategic leader capable of guiding your venture through rapid transformation.
The Leading High-Growth Firms programme offers a fast-track, 6-month learning journey for founders, entrepreneurs, and leadership teams. Combining research-driven insights with practical application, it equips you with the strategies to lead high-growth ventures, strengthen governance, and inspire high-performing teams. Supported by seasoned academics and industry practitioners bringing diverse international perspectives and hands-on experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and business transformation, the programme features lectures, interactive workshops, and real-world cases. It is led by Prof. Dr. Svetlana Khapova, a global expert in leadership and organisational growth, and Emmanuel Agha, entrepreneur and investor who has built and scaled successful startups. By the end of the programme, you’ll be ready to lead with vision, build scalable organisations, and drive sustainable growth.
Leading High-Growth Firms at a glance
Programme Type: Open Enrolment Leadership Academy
Degree: Post-Graduate Certificate
Duration: 6 months (part-time format)
Start Date: September 2026
Tuition Fee: €5,700 (includes course materials, lunches, selected evening events)
Language: English
Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), The Netherlands + online focus group sessions
Required Prior Education: Evidence of venture initiation or relevant business leadership experience
Who this programme is for
This programme is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of entrepreneurs and executives, combining in-person sessions with online engagement for maximum flexibility.
- Start-up founders or founding teams navigating early scaling challenges
- Leadership teams in growth-stage ventures seeking to strengthen organisational structure
- Investors and advisors working closely with start-ups and scale-ups
- Government and innovation agencies supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems
Why choose this programme
- Academic Expertise – The VU Leadership Academy is a unique centre of expertise, combining in-depth research on leadership and organisational development with insights directly applicable to high-growth ventures.
- Executive Perspective – Benefit from the insights of experienced global business leaders.
- Practical Relevance – Each module tackles real challenges of high-growth ventures: team scaling, governance, funding, and investor relations.
- Join a community of growth leaders – Connect with founders, executives, and experts driving innovation and venture success.
