Germany is unquestionably one of the leading innovation hubs in Europe. The country ranks amongst the top 10 global startup ecosystems due to the many advantages it offers to startups. For one, Germany is a dynamic economy with a large domestic market, solid infrastructure, highly qualified talent, stable political and economic climate, and easy access to other EU markets. The German government also demonstrates its strong commitment to fueling the establishment of startup ventures, with nearly every German state offering a number of startup initiatives to choose from. Simply put, Germany is the perfect place to be if you're thinking of starting up and growing a venture.
In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Germany that can help you in your startup journey. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN GERMANY
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Germany
Full list of ideation stage startup incubators in Germany:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Blockchain in AgriFood, Logistics, and Finance
Duration: -
Block.IS accelerator provides startups from the ICT sector with access to technology, knowledge, capital, and markets to introduce their blockchain technology innovations into the market. From ideation to acceleration, their 3-phase program involved tailored business and technical support to develop projects, support the market uptake and increase their impact.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Deep Tech
Duration: 3 months
The RWTH Incubation Program is dedicated to early-stage tech startups in Europe to build prototypes, enter the market, and secure early funding. The program involves 1-on-1 coaching and mentoring with experienced coaches, industry experts, and successful founders, as well as a holistic structured 3-month curriculum with workshops, events, and a Demo Day. Best of all, they do not take any equity stake in your startup.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: FinTech, PropTech, AI, Big Data, Blockchain, Travel, Mobility, Healthcare
Duration: 3 months
Comdirect Startup Garage is the corporate accelerator of Comdirect Bank, one of the largest direct banks in Germany. The program looks for startups with ideas that can change the banking industry and offer customers real added value. Beyond fintech, they are open to cross-industry solutions. The program's goal is to promote the transfer of innovation between corporates and startups and to create new business models together, thus they look for established companies with a new idea to prototype and possibly pilot together.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: IT Security, Cybersecurity
Duration: 5 months
inCUBE is a startup incubator focused on ITS and cybersecurity startups. Through the program, they will share real, industry know-how accumulated from their experience in the field and share entrepreneurial topics for startup development. You'll also gain access to capital and work together with partner networks from the industry.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Life Science
Duration: -
Life Science Inkubator acts as a reliable partner to support the development of healthcare and life science projects. With over ten years of experience in the field, they have the know-how to navigate the complexities of developing, gaining approval, financing, and launching healthcare solutions in the market. They will support startups by providing in-depth evaluation and concept optimization in regard to the strengths, weaknesses, and developmental pitfalls of certain technologies to ensure their successful transfer. Furthermore, the incubator may invest in the startup through its own financing fund, the LSO Pre-Seed-Fonds GmbH.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Media & Digital
Duration: 5 months
nextMedia.Hamburg is the platform for the media and digital industry which acts as a point of contact for startups, companies, institutions, universities, and content creators. They offer various programs to promote startup development, such as Media Lift, an incubator for innovative business ideas in the area of content with technology, and Prototyping Lab for students from Hamburg universities to develop testable prototypes with partner companies.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Music & Tech
Duration: 3 months
Music WorX is Europe's first publicly funded incubator for early-stage startups in the music & tech sector. It is a tailored program that is targeted at teams who are still brainstorming their ideas. The incubator will help them navigate the complexity of product development as well as align and focus their startups' direction.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 4 months
The Ruhrvalley Start-up Campus is an initiative from the Westfälische Hochschule, the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, and the Bochum University of Applied Sciences. They are a dedicated platform for those interested in exchanging ideas, technologies, and research results and turning them into real businesses. They provide free, professional services and support in various areas, such as mentoring and coaching, lectures and workshops, startup bootcamps, accelerators, challenges and competitions, and access to startup networks.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Blockchain
Duration: -
Catena Capital is a venture builder and ICO Accelerator that supports and invests in blockchain technology innovations. They offer various accelerator programs which provide early-stage startups with growth resources, individual mentoring, office space, and seed funding. Single founders or teams with an idea or pre-product to MVP phase can apply to become their Entrepreneur-in-Residence to get accelerated.
Z LAB
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Construction, Logistics, Infrastructure
Duration: -
Z LAB is the innovation lab and incubator of Zeppelin Group, a key industry player operating in the construction, energy, and engineering sectors. Through their initiative, they promote innovative digital solutions for the future of the construction, logistics, and infrastructure industry. Their incubator provides founders with a supportive environment to test, improve, and explore ideas and launch new products and solutions for the sector's value chain.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital, Hardware, Software
Duration: 6 months
The DIGITALHUB.DE is a startup network that is committed to supporting young founders from the very beginning of ideation to launching their own company. Through their accelerator program, they provide startups with individualized support, access to a network of mentors, customers, partners, and investors, as well as workspaces.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Products
Duration: 3 months
The digitalHUB incubator is a program aimed at aspiring teams with exciting ideas looking to bring their business model to life. The program entails exclusive workshops and courses on Lean Startup basics and related topics and bi-weekly goal-setting and feedback rounds with peers and mentors. Funded by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of NRW (DWNRW project), the program is completely free of charge for participants.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Game
Duration: 3 - 12 months
Gamecity Hamburg is a platform to connect with the games ecosystem in Hamburg. They offer an array of tailored programs for your gaming projects and provide you with the support, and connections you need. Their annual incubator, Games Lift, provides startups with mentoring, workshops, workplaces, and EUR 15,000 funding for teams who are developing their concepts and demos for digital games.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Logistics & Supply Chain
Duration: 1 year
Startport supports disruptive startups in the field of logistics and supply chain through two program tracks: the Incubator and the Accelerator. From the ideation phase to the finished product, their programs are adapted to different startup needs. The Incubator program is suitable for startups with innovative ideas to develop their first prototype, whilst the Accelerator program is suitable for startups seeking to form cooperative projects with corporate partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: -
Based in Essen, Ruhr, Bryck is an innovation hub and future factory with a mission to foster collaboration among the ecosystem players. Whatever industry you're in, Bryck has the network of partners, mentors, consultants, experts, clients, and investors to support your venture. They offer 2 programs for startups: Early Founder Bootcamp to help early founders turn their ideas into a business concept, and Startup Sprints to accelerate early-stage startups in specific sectors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 6 months
Bergsteiger Accelerator will help you advance from idea to testing, prototyping, and eventually MVP. During the program, you'll receive mentoring and workshops to move your idea to market maturity and help you find your way into the corporate world and financing. At the end of the program, your startup will participate in the accelerator's Demo Day as well as Mountain Pitch, the biggest pitch even in Bergisches Land where you can pitch your business to various players and investors in the scene.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 6 months
Based in Bochum, WERK X is a startup incubator that supports founders in developing their ideas into market-ready startups. To participate, you only need to present your idea, and they will provide you with the funding, coaching, co-working, and network to develop it into a business. As part of the program, you'll benefit from access to rapid product testing on customers as well as a grant of EUR 1,500 for six months for you and one of your cofounders for your business projects.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Mother-specific
Duration: 24 weeks
StartUp Mom is the first startup accelerator that is dedicated to mothers who want to establish their own businesses whilst being able to enjoy their children's childhoods. Founded by a mother herself, the MOM accelerator is an online program that offers mothers guidance in developing their corporate design, marketing strategy, and financing plans through online webinars and one-on-one coaching.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Rolling Focus
Duration: 14 weeks
DB Mindbox is a startup initiative by Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company of Germany. Through its startup program, they provide startups with the opportunity to connect, test, and accelerate their products and ideas in real-life use cases with Deutsche Bahn. They seek technologies, applications, materials, or business cases that can add value to Deutsche Bahn and promote digital transformation within the organization.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social Impact / Green
Duration: 4 - 6 months
The Impact Factory is a joint initiative of Beisheim Foundation, Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, KfW Stiftung, and Anthropia gGmbH with the support of the program partner Der Paritätische NRW. It is dedicated to startups from the Green and Social Economy and offer them a collaborative space and network of relevant players in the scene working on solutions for the future. They offer various programs based on your startup development, mainly Create for those in the ideation phase, Ramp Up for those launching their solutions, and Fellow for established startups who need specific support.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Rolling Focus
Duration: 2 - 4 months
Hubraum is a tech incubator by Deutsche Telekom, one of the largest telecommunications providers in Europe. They champion collaboration within the digital ecosystem and bring together early-stage startups together with telco to ignite innovation transfers and create business opportunities. They offer a variety of programs with different focuses and purposes, at which startups can gain access to their prototyping access, Deutsche Telekom's technology and infrastructure, expert network, and potential investment of up to EUR 1 million.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 1 - 4 months
The Center for Entrepreneurship & Transfer (CET) at the TU Dortmund provides support for startups at all stages and courage the transfer of technology and knowledge from science to practice. Their flagship Cetup startup program provides intensive training and support focused on the different steps of startup development. The cetup.ID is designed to boost your idea, cetup.PREINC is a pre-incubation program to build a first prototype and validation, and cetup.INNOLAB for early-stage start-ups to validate customer needs, adapt their business model, and prepare the first round of financing.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Germany
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Germany:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Aviation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Electrification Hydrogen in Aviation, Novel aircraft designs, materials and design processes
Duration: 1 year
Aiming to build a sustainable future for aviation, the Sustainable Aero Lab is a fast-track program for startups who are working on decreasing the aviation industry's carbon impact. Through world-class mentoring by experts in startups, aviation, venture capital, and sciences, the program assists startups in turning their ideas into commercially viable businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Climate, Multiple Sectors
Duration: 3 - 9 months
Powered by EIT Climate-KIC, ClimAccelerator is a key global initiative in sourcing innovative climate solutions to unleash a net-zero, resilient future for everybody. They target early and late-stage startups producing climate-impacting goods and servicess and help transform cleantech startups into profitable and impactful enterprises. ClimAccelerator equips your startup with the professional resources, knowledge, network, and finance it needs to effectively launch and scale its climate solution.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: FinTech
Duration: -
FinTech Studio invests in, incubates, and grows FinTech startups with the potential to disrupt the financial markets we rely on today. Their incubation services focus on the development and management of financial technologies through comprehensive software architecture, corporate UX and industrial design, development operations, agile management, partnerships and recruiting, and finance, legal, and admin support. Meanwhile, the growth services provide support for rapid international scaling by facilitating capital raising and partnerships.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Food,UN SDG: Zero Hunger
Duration: 6 months
The WFP Innovation Accelerator is an initiative by the World Food Programme, the largest humanitarian organization under United Nations that provides food assistance worldwide. Their goal is to promote innovation to address hunger and reach zero hunger throughout the world. They offer equity-free funding, hands-on support, access to field operations, and innovation consulting services to assist startups in prototyping and scaling their business ideas.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Social Impact, Health & FemTech, Sustainability, Female-specific
Duration: 4 - 6 weeks
Dedicated to female founders, Grace Accelerator empowers women with startup ambitions. They offer various programs with entrepreneurship knowledge, empowerment, and community to support women entrepreneurs in developing and implementing their business ideas. Their flagship Summer Accelerator program is suitable for founders who are looking for guidance from mentors to implement an idea or develop their solutions. Meanwhile, their Grace Scale program is aimed at female founders in the growth phase to prepare for financing.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2B Technology
Duration: 3 - 5 months
As the name suggests, Founders Foundation empowers entrepreneurs and trains the next generation of founders to build a successful and impactful B2B startup ecosystem in the heart of the German “Mittelstand". They are a non-profit organization that offers various equity-free programs to support startups' journey throughout various phases. They offer a Startup School for aspiring founders with an idea to find cofounders, Lab for startup teams to develop their idea further, Accelerator for startup teams establishing their product in the market, and Qualification programs for startups ready to scale.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Food
Duration: 6 months
The Foodlab in Hamburg is a coworking space for food startups with kitchen space and facilities for testing and producing food innovations, as well as a media studio and events area for publicity purposes. They offer an acceleration program that will impart the know-how of large food companies to food startups and provide them with the assistance to produce and commercialize new concepts.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Game Technology
Duration: -
The Fusion Campus Accelerator is a unique program that helps startups in developing a "gamified" business idea, ie. "fusing" gaming concepts and methodologies into a startup idea. Selected participants will benefit from workshops and mentoring by experienced experts in the gaming industry, direct feedback from target groups, free coworking space, as well as a starting budget of EUR 5,000 and a chance to gain an additional EUR 20,000 for further development of the project.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Health, Diabetes Management, Behavior Change, Big Data (specific to Patient Records), Clinics / HCP Process Optimization, Pharmacy Solutions, Sensoring (Care & Rehabilitation), Rare Disease Diagnostics
Duration: 3 months
Startup Bootcamp is a renowned global accelerator with numerous sector-specific programs around the world. In Berlin, they offer early-stage health startups with the Digital Health program, which is one of the most serious health accelerators in Europe that have entered its 3rd cycle. The program provides guidance and unparalleled access to the digital health network which will assist startups to establish proof-of-concept, develop and implement clinical validation plans, plan fundraising strategies, polish team structure, and engage with corporate partners for pilot projects, market access, and investments.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: InsurTech
Duration: 1 - 3 months
InsurTech Hub Munich is a non-profit innovation platform focused on the Insurtech industry. They are the center of digital insurance businesses that unite industry partners, startups, investors, academia, and governmental entities to work together and create value in the industry. They guide founders through business development programs, concierge services, and access to a network of field experts, mentors, and investors to accelerate startups' growth and facilitate business opportunities and investments.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: 5G, IoT, AI, Cybersecurity, FinTech, Retail & Omnichannel, HR Solutions, Network Reselling, Products for B2B & B2C, Corporate Responsibility, Customer Service Solution, Metaverse
Duration: 4 months
Powered by Telefónica, a Spanish multinational telecommunications company, Wayra is a global tech-driven open innovation platform with operations across 9 countries. Aiming to shape the future of telecommunications, they invest in and support ideas and solutions through their multi-stage programs that are customized for your startups and funding stage. They offer a Community program for startups from pre-seed to early stage to secure their first corporate client, Startup Acceleration for startups with product ready and first revenues to resell products/solutions to Telefónica, Scale Up for startups focused on growth, and Tech Lab for startups testing in 5G NSA/SA.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2B Technology
Duration: 3 months
By founders for founders, xDeck is an accelerator that takes a founder-first approach and delivers a tailored service for businesses looking to develop quickly. They support startups through their vast network of seasoned entrepreneurs and powerful corporate partners that contribute their skills and experience to help your business grow. They look specifically for early-stage B2B technology startups with business models that are process automation, applied big data and AI, and sustainability tech.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2C, Digital Media
Duration: -
SevenAccelerator is a consumer-driven early-stage investor and accelerator that helps transform premium TV and digital media solutions into scalable B2C startups. Utilizing their wide media reach and integrated network of premium TV channels, digital video, and influencers, they will help you boost your startup into a leading brand throughout Germany and Austria. They offer comprehensive services and expertise, including campaign planning/optimization, counseling and coaching on all media and creative topics, as well as an investment of up to EUR 2.5 million.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Chemical
Duration: 6 months
With the goal to empower more and better startups in the chemical space, Chemstars provide various startup support for chemistry-related ventures for free. They help startups to work towards the next big goal for their company at whatever stage they're in by providing strategic advice, a global network of industry experts and investors, and a supportive community.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Climate
Duration: 6 months
Climate Founders is a community of mentors, experts, and investors who are keen to build a supportive ecosystem for technology and entrepreneurial culture in climate solutions. They offer an acceleration program for startups on their way to establishing product-market fit and are looking to raise their first significant funding. Through a tailored program, they provide mentoring, knowledge-base, relevant contacts, and investments to help you accelerate your climate startup.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Commerce
Duration: 6 months
The Next Commerce Accelerator is a tailor-made program for startups to test drive their business models, develop product-market fit, and establish the foundation for scalable growth. They connect startups with commerce-industry-related corporations to provide access to easy testing, help you gain crucial feedback, and attain first revenues. They also offer investments with four different investment models that startups can choose from.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Media
Duration: 9 months
Passionate about driving innovation in the media industry, Media Lab Bayern offers funding, networking, and coaching for all media makers. Whether you're a startup, media pioneer, or media company, they offer various dedicated programs to support you and your ideas with startup funding, support, and access to their vast network. Consisting of a team of innovation experts and media specialists, they'll help you to develop innovative, digital media products and launch your solutions in the media industry.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Products
Duration: 6 months
Digital Hub Münsterland is the platform where you can network, explore, and innovate digital business models within the digital economy of Münsterland. They offer a learning and testing environment for digital innovations and support startups through targeted networking with universities, corporations, and investors. Their flagship accelerator program provides technical assistance in the creation of hardware prototypes and assists startups in reaching product-market fit.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Products, B2B
Duration: -
D:IG stands for digital incubation and growth, targeted at startups in the digital space. It is the incubator and company builder initiative of Cassini AG, a German consulting company that operates in the digital B2B market. D:IG helps startups expand rapidly by providing support and expert advice in the digital B2B business model and development, along with access to Cassini Group Network and broader networks in the B2B sector. They provide co-investments with partners of up to EUR 2.5 million, who will also share access to their professional structures and extended network of potential customers and partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Products, Rolling Focus
Duration: 5 months
The Ignition accelerator program is dedicated to supporting newly-established teams in idea validation, prototype development, and market launch of their digital product. They'll also assist startups in achieving product-market fit and make them investor-ready through world-class mentoring by specialist experts in the industry. As the funding program of digihub Düsseldorf/Rhineland, they provide EUR 25,000 funds without taking any equity or fees.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: FemTech, Health, Care
Duration: 4 months
For early-stage founders in the field of social entrepreneurship, femtech, health, or care based in NRW, the Xelerator is a free program that will support you in the future development and execution of your startup initiatives. They will help you fine-tune your marketing and finance strategies through coaching and workshops on the topics of business model and development, marketing and go-to-market strategy, and financing and funding.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Game
Duration: 6 months
SpielFabrique is a catalyst in the worldwide video game ecosystem. Since 2016, they have developed cross-border expertise in the video game industry and a vast network of industry stakeholders to stimulate knowledge transfers and collaboration. They accelerate video games development and indie game studios through mentoring programs to help them bring their first game to market and scale up further.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: High Tech & Deep Tech, New Materials, Nanotechnologie,s Microsystems Technology, Nano and Microelectronics, Optical Technology, Quantum Technologies, Industrial Technologies, Clean Technologies, Health Technologies
Duration: 3 months
High-Tech NRW is a venture accelerator for high-tech and deep-tech startups in the NRW economic region. Through their program, they support startups to achieve the three pillars of success for early-stage technology developments: business model validation, investment and technology readiness, and positioning and scaling.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Space
Duration: 2 years
The ESA BIC North Rhine-Westphalia is the incubation center for space-related businesses that will help you boost your space solutions until they are ready for series production, commercial use, and launch. Funded by ESA and the MWIDE.NRW Ministry, the program will provide space startups with workshops, technical guidance, EUR 50,000 funding, and access to their international network of partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sports, HealthTech
Duration: 6 months
Stationed in Berlin, the LeAD program will host your team in the startup capital and accelerate your startup from seed to a fully-functioning venture. Focused on the Sports and HealthTech industries, the program involves high-intensity training on various business topics carried by high-class industry experts. They'll help you grow your network and gain opportunities to test, improve, and scale your product with industry partners and customers. The program does provide up to EUR 50,000 for finalist startups in exchange for 8% equity.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 months
Techstars is the largest tech accelerator and pre-seed investor in the world, with operations around the globe and a track record of diverse successful tech startups. They also offer their acceleration program in Berlin, one of the fastest-growing and hottest startup hubs in the world. Their program provides entrepreneurs with access to the best mentors, talent, corporate partners, investors, alumni, and many other opportunities to grow their startups.
Focus: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 5 months
With the slogan 'play like a founder, scale like a corporate', TechFounders will help you scale your startup by providing individualized support to your needs. Their program offers startups individual coaching and mentoring brought by seasoned entrepreneurs, tech experts, and venture capitalists and the opportunity to collaborate with corporate partners on pilot projects to obtain proof of concept. They also provide startups with a project budget of EUR 25,000 without taking any fees or equity. At the moment, they have four focus fields: Net-Zero, Industry 4.0, Healthcare, and Cybersecurity.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 14 weeks
VentureVilla accelerates early-stage technology startups and gives your innovative ideas room to grow. With individual coaching and mentoring sessions, you'll get guidance in areas you need from experts in the field. They'll also help you become investor-ready and actively establish contact with their extensive network of investors and partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 6 - 12 months
Based in Düsseldorf, TechHub.K67 is a dedicated startup hub for tech startups in the pre-seed stage. Beyond co-working, the hub provides individual coaching, mentoring, and community-building to create an open space for startups and related players in the tech network. The hub is open for startups that already have a prototype, MVP, or proof-of-concept and the spot will be made available to selected teams for 6-12 months.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Aerospace, AgTech / FoodTech, Artificial Intelligence, BioTech / Clean Energy, FinTech, HealthTech, Legal Tech, Mobility, Quantum Robotic,s Sustainability / Impact, UrbanTech
Duration: 3 months
Xpreneurs assist early-stage tech startups on their path to market entrance to validate their business model, get their first customers, and achieve their first financing. As part of the incubator, your startup can benefit from 1:1 mentoring sessions, workshops, free office space, exclusive partner perks, an extensive network of investors and industry contacts, and the resources of the UnternehmerTUM community. Best of all, the program is free and does not take any equity.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, FinTech
Duration: 6 weeks
Organized by EY, one of the largest professional services networks in the world, the EY Startup Academy program assists Tech or Fintech startups in improving their business models and their main components. It is targeted at startups that have completed the Alpha phase, already have MVP or proof of concept, and are seeking funding. The program consists of structured workshops and training events from EY experts and partners to transfer knowledge in key areas of importance for startups.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Multiple Sectors
Duration: 3 months
Plug and Play is a global innovation platform that connects blue-chip corporations and startups to catalyze technological advancements. In Germany, they operate their programs in 5 key cities: Stuttgart, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin. They run various industry-focused accelerator programs which provide startups with themed workshops, face-to-face interaction, and tailored deal flows to build relationships with corporations and grow.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, Rolling Focus
Duration: 6 months
Located in Cologne and Düsseldorf, Startplatz Accelerator is one of the largest innovation network in NRW region. They offer a tailored program for early-stage tech startups and provide guidance, expertise, and connections to help startups become investment-ready and scale.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology & Science, Social Impact / Green, University of Cologne-affiliated
Duration: 6 months
The Gateway Excellence Start-up Center (ESC) at the University of Cologne offers advice and coaching on all aspects of establishing a startup for University of Cologne-affiliated founders. Their particular focus is on knowledge and technology-based concepts, at any stage from idea to success. Their flagship accelerator program focuses on the topics of leadership, personal and team development, and internationalization which creates value beyond startup knowledge. Aside from their flagship accelerator program, they also have incubators in two locations.
Growth Stage Startup Accelerators in Germany
Full list of growth stage startup accelerators in Germany:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: AgriFoodTech
Duration: 3 - 12 months
With the mission to solve society's greatest food challenges, RootCamp aims to create a supportive ecosystem for the AgriFoodTech sector and promote AgriFoodTech innovation. Situated in Hannover, it is a stage-independent innovation center that helps expedite businesses' pathways to market. They offer free acceleration support for early-stage as well as later-stage startups with a customizable program and flexible duration time and unlock top-level know-how. They also help multinational businesses deploy their solutions in the European market and provide assistance and access for scaling.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Data Analytics & AI, Robotics, Smart Home & Smart Building, Electronics for Makers and Education, Industrial IOT & Industry 4.0, 3D-Printing
Duration: -
The Conrad Startup Program is an initiative by Conrad Electronic, a German retailer of electronic products. They are interested in collaborating with ambitious startups to accelerate the implementation of breakthrough technological ideas and expand into new attractive markets. From the earliest prototype to the final market-ready product, they grant startups access to markets and a global value chain from Europe to Asia. They provide startups with numerous development prospects, including partnership opportunities and access to Conrad's sales channel and client base.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Health
Duration: -
Flying Health supports emerging digital health startups in the next generation healthcare market. They catalyze innovative digital health startups through their expertise, network, and experience. They offer two programs for startups: The Digital Health Market Access and The Flying Health Startup Program. The Digital Health Market Access is stage-agnostic and is suitable for startups from early to late stages, focusing on providing market access and ensuring successful market entry. The Flying Health Startup Program is dedicated to later-stage startups to ensure their strategy is tailored to the specific needs of the German market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Hydrogen
Duration: 10 - 14 weeks
H2UB is the first hydrogen-focused hub for startups, companies, and research in Europe. They offer various startup programs for both early and later-stage startups and implement them through selected experts from the field, innovation competence, and expertise in startup funding. Amongst the support they offer is matchmaking to market players, ecosystem builders, think tanks, and access to a network of labs. They also offer a specially designed accelerator program that provides startups with the right tools and guidance adapted to their needs and concentrated on their core challenges.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Insurance
Duration: 6 months
InsurLab Germany is an insurance platform that is driving innovation and transformation in Germany's insurance industry by connecting the whole ecosystem players. To actively support the development of new digital products and realizing cooperation projects for the German insurance industry, they offer various initiatives including an acceleration program.
The outcome-driven accelerator program provides an opportunity for inventive startups to collaborate closely with corporations and form new market alliances.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Duration: 3 - 6 months
NMA, standing for Next Media Accelerator, is a premier pan-European startup program for media and marketing innovation. Their program seeks to fast-track scalable businesses that offer innovation in media and marketing to enter the worldwide markets. They will help your startup to gain traction, including using pilot partners from their network to get proof of concept and first customers, as well as preparing to fundraise and onboard investors. With their established international media and marketing network and community, they will introduce startups to high-class corporates from Germany and Europe for potential partnerships.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology, eHealth, Energy, Smart City
Duration: 1 year
SpinLab the Hill Accelerator is one of Europe's top-ranked accelerators in, ranking in the top three startup accelerators in Germany. They help startups scale their businesses through a no-nonsense approach, ensuring they get the tools and support they need to grow, including EUR 15,000 in equity-free funding if they're accepted into the program. You'll get access to top-level know-hows from experienced startup coaches, university professors, and industry specialists, as well as pilot project potential with SpinLab's diverse partner portfolio of over 25 corporations.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Life Science, Digital Health
Duration: -
G4A works with startups and healthcare technology companies to deliver new health solutions and drive health equity, access, and sustainability for all. An initiative by Bayer, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, they offer Digital Health Partnerships that will provide your startup with executive mentorship and coaching, strategic partnership opportunities, and investments to grow. They offer two tracks: Advance Track for mature companies with a product or a solution that has already entered the market, and Growth Track for companies in the early-mid stage of their journey.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2B
Duration: -
Unicorn Academy help startup develop and scale their ideas beyond prototype and prepare to launch into the global market. As an initiative by CGI, one of the largest IT and business consulting companies in Germany, they combine their expertise with the agility and innovation of a startup to implement digital services, introduce new business ideas to the market, and secure competitive advantages.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Digital Products
Duration: 6 months
ruhrMasters provide startups with individual coaching program to take their next step in scaling up. They will tailor the program to your needs and support you in solving the challenges your startup is facing on its way to growth. Whichever area it is, their expert team will guide you with specialist knowledge and experience. Aside from coaching, startups also benefit from visits to two international startup events, participation at the ruhrSUMMIT 2023, and marketing exposure via social media channels and public relations.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Enteprise Software, Multiple Focus
Duration: 8 - 14 weeks
Established by SAP, a German multinational software company, SAP.IO help startups build relationships, integrate products, go to market, and scale their ventures. They offer various opportunities for startups to grow: by partnering, building, or running with SAP. Through their zero-cost accelerators, startups can engage with SAP's team and customers to launch their business or co-create market innovations and solutions. SAP also offers programs to help startups leverage SAP technologies to become data-driven and realize their vision.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Rolling Sectors
Duration: -
The Scale Program by PwC is intended for startups who are looking to grow and scale and help them get in touch with corporations and strategic investors. The accelerator provides specialist support, masterclasses, insight sessions, 1:1 sparring, and access to corporates and communities for growth. It operates on a rolling focus, in which they currently have programs for B2B Tech, Smart City & Mobility, Female, and Industry.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Duration: 18 months
Exclusively for companies based in NRW, Scale-up.NRW is a program that will help your startup expand next-level opportunities and scale your business further. The goal of the program is to ensure startups attain successful growth in international markets and further financing rounds through individualized scaling programs and perfect matching of mentors, investors, and multipliers. There are no costs or equity required to participate in the program.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic, Multiple Sectors, International Expansion
Duration: -
With the tagline to #GoFarGrowFast, German Accelerator empowers and accelerates startups to scale globally at a rapid pace. Through tailored programs and mentoring by dedicated experts, they will help startups from all stages and across various industries to understand, discover, and unlock the world's leading innovation hubs in the USA and Asia. They will help you navigate through new markets, develop a go-to-market strategy, and ensure success in your international expansion.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Germany
As previously discussed, there are numerous reasons that make Germany a great place to be for startups. Germany is one of the European leaders in innovation, dedicated to bolstering the startup ecosystem. True to their commitment, there are plenty of incubators, accelerators, and other programs offered free of equity and charges for startup founders. Entrepreneurs in Germany can use accelerators and incubators as the best avenues to get assistance for their startup, gain industry knowledge, and locate relevant networks of potential partners and investors.