Accelerate Your Defense Startup Journey
Empowering German defense and dual-use startups to scale with resilience.
Munich, Germany | December 2–4, 2025
Avoid costly delays navigating defense procurement and compliance alone. Get expert guidance, vetted connections, and actionable plans in 3 days.
Scale without costly mistakes.
For companies looking to grow, uncertainty is the norm — and it often leads to wasted time, money, and momentum.
That’s where Kickstart comes in. With the support of experienced mentors, practical tools, and strategic guidance, you’ll dive deep into the industry, procurement and scaling — all without pressure or cost.
It’s free of charge and in just 3 days, you’ll learn to make smarter decisions about scaling your business.
What You Get with Kickstart Defense
Save 3–6
Months
Compress expert input, proven templates, and key contacts into days, not months.
Accelerate
Growth
Improve investor readiness, sales strategy, and leadership clarity in regulated markets.
Build Your
Network
Direct access to procurement experts, strategic investors, and defense industry mentors.
Navigate Complexity
Get guided through Germany’s defense ecosystem: procurement, compliance, stakeholders.
Walk Away With 5 Concrete Deliverables
Defence-specific pitch
GTM strategy
Funding plan
Compliance checklist
Mentor intro list
Plus a 12-month growth roadmap and 4+ hours of post-program mentor support
Is This Program Right for You?
German-based legal entity in defense, resilience, or dual-use tech (cybersecurity, logistics, robotics)
Early-stage with IPR/MVP and initial pilots or operational validation
2–10M fundraising on the horizon (Seed/Series A)
First hires in place and ready to scale
What You'll Experience
Three intensive days designed to transform how you approach defense markets
Expert-Led Guidance
Learn from ex-entrepreneurs and defense industry veterans who've navigated this path successfully.
Ecosystem Deep-Dive
Understand Germany's defense landscape: key actors, procurement pathways, and decision-makers.
Investor & Customer Access
Pitch to defense-focused investors and connect with procurement experts in live sessions.
Continuous Support
12-month roadmap with eligibility for other GA programs and ongoing mentor connections.
"Stop wasting 3–6 months on trial-and-error. Get expert templates, warm introductions, and tactical guidance compressed into 3 days — not months."
3-Day Program Snapshot
Kick-Off & Market Briefing
Enter the ecosystem
Market insights, founder stories, alumni panel, networking.
Funding & Innovation Night
Pressure-test your growth
Investor feedback, funding sessions, Defense Tech networking.
Sales & Scaling
Turn insight into action
Sales execution, scaling securely, roadmap next steps.
What is the Funding & Innovation Night?
An exclusive evening networking event bringing together founders, investors, and defense industry leaders for meaningful connections and collaboration.
Program Details
Location:
Munich, Germany (venue via BASED/de:hub Security & Defense)
Online Preperation:
November 17 – December 1, 2025
On-Site Days:
December 2-4, 2025
Application Deadline:
November 7, 2025
Format:
Workshops, Panel Discussions, Networking
Cost:
Free*
Your Tech Could Be Dual-Use
Our Speakers
Meet the Experts
Dr. Sabine Hampel
Rafaela Kraus
Stefan Aumer
Oberst (d.R.) Norbert Vetter
With more than 2,000 days of reserve service as a Colonel, he possesses an exceptional understanding of military innovation and its underlying processes, the complexity of defense procurement, and the operational realities of the defense industry — insights that few others have.
Quirin Herz
Mike Richardson
Andreas Pilz
How to Get Started
Follow these simple steps and begin your journey with German Accelerator.
Submit Your Application
Submit your pitch deck along with answers to key questions about your business, including your vision, market-fit, and current growth stage. This information will help assess your company’s potential for success and eligibility for the German Accelerator program.
Selection Process
Our team will carefully evaluate your application, reviewing all provided materials including your pitch deck and company details. If your startup is selected and meets the eligibility criteria, you will be notified of the next steps.
Time to Roll Up Your Sleeves
Participate in the program and start working on the basics for international expansion via 1:1 mentor sessions, workshops, and fireside chats with our expert mentors.
Ready, Set, Go!
With a global mindset in place and feedback on your startup’s readiness for international expansion, you can start working on your milestones. If you’re ready to take the next step, check out German Accelerator’s Market Discovery and Market Access offerings.
Do You Have Any Questions?