The initial application
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● Shapers Academy ’26 · Ljubljana, Slovenia
A career
accelerator for
the top 1%
A 6-month paid internship abroad where you fast-track your career. No fluff, just real business challenges.
Join the 2027 waitlist →
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Interns placed with partner companies like
01 — The offer
Programme at a glance
A 4-week intensive skill sprint followed by a 6-month paid internship in Ljubljana. You’ll work on real marketing, sales, and business development challenges at a partner company. Once you’re accepted, a refundable €500 deposit secures your place — returned in full when your internship is confirmed.
0
scholarships covering the deposit
0
months of paid internship
0
week intensive skill sprint
€500
refundable deposit, returned on placement
Location
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Academy sprint
Aug 1 – Sep 1, 2026
4 weeks · on-site
Internship
Aug 1 – Jan 31, 2027
on-site
Who can apply
EU, UK, USA, Canada, Singapore
Ages 18–30
The application window is closed
02 — The work
Not your typical internship
Shapers Academy is designed to let selected participants completely bypass the entry-level struggle, or in some cases switch career paths entirely.
You will
- ✓ Solve real marketing and sales problems for companies entering new markets
- ✓ Build and execute go-to-market strategies that drive actual revenue and growth
- ✓ Work directly with decision-makers and receive hands-on mentorship
You won’t
- ✕ Prove yourself by doing coffee runs or filing documents
- ✕ Be treated like “just an intern” whose ideas are ignored and who is left out of important meetings
- ✕ Be stuck doing mindless data entry without seeing the big picture
03 — The process
How it works
The assessments
Two parts: a self-assessment (working style and team fit), and a problem-solving challenge that tests raw research ability and adaptability. This is where you prove you belong in the top 1%. Note: copy-pasted AI answers result in automatic rejection.
The vibe check
A quick, relaxed chat with our team. We already know you have the skills. Now we just want to meet the human behind them and make sure the program is a genuine fit.
The match: company interview
Meet your potential host company. At this stage it’s about finding the right mutual fit. Nail this, and your internship is confirmed — and your deposit comes straight back.
04 — Your commitment
A refundable €500 deposit
Applying is free. Once you’re accepted into the programme, a €500 deposit secures your place. It covers the administrative work of sourcing partner companies and matching you to the right one — the part that happens long before you sit in an interview.
You get it back in full the moment your internship is confirmed. If we can’t find you a placement, you get it back then too. The deposit exists so that everyone holding a place is genuinely committed to it — not to make money from applicants.
For exceptional candidates who can’t cover it, we award 12 scholarships that pay the deposit outright. If that’s you, say so in your application — it will not count against you.
Paid only after acceptance
Returned on placement
Returned if no placement
12 scholarships available
05 — The community
You won’t be navigating this alone
Most international programs drop you in a new country and leave you to figure out bureaucracy, logistics, and housing on your own. Not this one. When you get selected, Institute Global Shapers, a global network of young leaders, steps in as your immediate local community.
01
Complete logistical support
Pre-arrival housing help, legal registrations, and handling administrative hurdles so you can focus entirely on your career.
02
No “lonely traveller” phase
From day one, you’re plugged into an instant network of high-achieving, like-minded young leaders.
03
Full community perks
Direct mentorship from industry experts, specialised monthly workshops, and invite-only networking events.
04
Local buddy system
A local buddy from our institute to help you navigate and prosper in your new city and professional environment.
06 — Your base
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Your office, your flat, and your evening plans all fit inside a city you can cross by bike. Vienna, Venice, and Zagreb are a two-hour drive away. Slovenia ranks among the 10 safest countries in the world, which makes it a forgiving place for your first stint abroad.
2h drive from Vienna, Venice & Zagreb ✦
300 sunny days a year ✦
Top 10 safest countries in the world ✦
Thriving expat community ✦
Your backyard
Your internship runs through autumn and winter, and the weekends are yours. Lake Bled is 45 minutes away, the Adriatic coast an hour, and four countries sit within a two-hour drive. Most capitals make you choose between city life and nature. From Ljubljana, you don’t have to.
Bled in 45 min ✦
Alps on your doorstep ✦
Adriatic coast in 1h ✦
4 countries within 2h ✦
Free info session
Still on the fence?
Join our free live webinar where we walk through the full programme, answer every question you have, and help you figure out if Shapers Academy is the right move for you.
Reserve your spot →07 — FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is there a catch? Do I have to pay for the Academy?
There is no tuition fee and applying is free. Once you are accepted into the programme, a €500 deposit (approx. $500) secures your place and covers the work of sourcing and matching you with a host company.
You get it back in full once your internship is confirmed — and you get it back if a placement doesn’t come through. In exceptional cases we award one of 12 scholarships that cover the deposit outright, so nobody is priced out.
Will the financial support actually cover my living expenses?
Yes. The financial support provided during your 6-month internship is designed to cover your day-to-day living costs (rent, groceries, etc.) and more.
Does the Academy provide me with housing?
No. Our Institute does not own dorms (yet), but we will 100% help you sort out the living situation prior to your arrival, if you’re selected.
Which regions can apply for Shapers Academy?
Europe, USA, Canada, United Kingdom.
Do I need a visa?
Not if you are an EU citizen or can travel freely across the EU. If you are applying from the USA, UK, Canada, or Singapore, our team will guide you through the necessary visa and legal requirements once you are officially selected.
Is a university degree required to apply?
No, a university degree is not required. We firmly believe in equal opportunity for all, no matter your age or financial status. Whether you are in university, on a gap year, or pursuing another path, you are encouraged to apply. Final selection is highly competitive and based on the overall merit of your application.
Can I apply if I’m over 30 years old?
No (in most cases), however we are willing to make an exception for an exceptional applicant.
Is prior experience in marketing, sales or business development required?
No. We look for potential, mindset, grit and your ability to think outside the box, and we prioritize those over prior technical mastery. The first 4-week intensive sprint of the Academy is designed to get you “market-ready” and able to tackle any problem that might come your way.
Can I do this alongside my university degree or another job?
Only if your current commitments are completely remote and you happen to be a productivity monster fueled by espresso and pure ambition. Otherwise, no. This is not a side-hustle. You are expected to be fully on-site in Ljubljana.
What kind of companies will I be working with?
Companies across a range of industries; you can see some of them on this page (Akrapovič, EYE, Autobrief, Gatom). We only take partners who are ready to give you real responsibility and a seat at the table from day one. If a company just wants someone for data entry, they don’t get an intern from us.
What happens if there is no fit with the company?
No worries. You keep your status as an accepted candidate, and the second a new spot opens up in our network of partner companies you’ll be next in line to claim it. If no placement comes through in the end, your €500 deposit is returned in full.
One shot at
the top 1% .
The application window is closed