Market Discovery Program

Explore New Markets in Asia and South America with Our Market Discovery Program

Our Market Discovery program helps German startups validate the suitability of their business model in new potential target markets in Asia and South America. We provide first-hand market insights, and enable startups to explore individual business opportunities within the local ecosystem and directly connect with potential customers and partners.

In a Nutshell

The 5 – 7 week (depending on the location) virtual program will help you understand the markets and business environments on the most diverse continent and gain access to some of the fastest-growing economies as a first-mover.*

The program is open to startups** of all stages who are interested in Asia and South America as their next step for growth. Further selection criteria may be applied for the respective program editions.

Each location-specific program costs €500 per startup. Up to 3 participants per company are allowed for the virtual program.

*Please carefully read through the program description for your chosen market, as slight variations to the standard offering might occur.

**The program also welcomes German VCs and incubators

What’s in It For Your Startup

Validate the Market

Assess your product-market fit and receive feedback on your business readiness to guide your market entry plans.

Customized Mentoring

Get individual coaching and guidance from dedicated market experts during one-on-one mentor sessions.

Illustration Hand that creates something

Save Valuable Resources

Minimize risk, avoid costly mistakes, and save resources with our guidance on the best approach for the market.

Access Our Network

Expand your local connections through our strong network of industry experts, mentors, and ecosystem partners.

What You
Will Work On

Understand the behaviors and needs of the local market and the competitive landscape.

Sharpen your business model and value proposition with our mentors and experts.

Learn how to set up your business and tailor your solutions via workshops with local experts.

Get insights to cultural differences and learn how to effectively engage local stakeholders.

Meet one-on-one with potential customers or partners.

Build a roadmap with tangible next steps for market access and expansion.

Where We Offer
The Program

Brief Summary of Market

India is the world’s fifth-largest economy and a global powerhouse of industry and innovation. The country’s political stability, well-developed banking system, and mature financial system continue to be an attractive draw for foreign startups.

Application Deadlines & Program Dates

Application Deadline: October 10, 2023
Program Dates: November 15, 2023 – January 26, 2024 (Christmas Break: December 18, 2023 – January 8, 2024)
In-Country Program Dates: January 22 – January 26, 2024

About India

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Brief Summary of Market

One of the largest and most affluent markets in Asia, Japan is synonymous with quality and innovation. Its mature system of laws, regulations, and policies have created a safe and friendly environment for global businesses to enter the Japanese market.

Application Deadlines & Program Dates

Application Deadline: January 19, 2024
Program Dates: April 15, 2024 – May 24, 2024
In-person: May 13, 2024 – May 17, 2024

About Japan

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Brief Summary of Market

South Korea is an innovation powerhouse, ranking first in Bloomberg’s Global Innovation Index for 6 years. The country is highly renowned for its R&D and innovative industries.

Application Deadlines & Program Dates

Application Deadline : February 2, 2024
Program Dates: May 6, 2024 – June 21 ,2024
In-person: June 3, 2024 – June 7, 2024

About South Korea

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China: Opportunities and Challenges

China is the second-largest economy globally and has rapidly evolved from its reputation as the “world’s factory” to a consumption- and technology-driven economy. For global business leaders, the People’s Republic of China has been a particularly important, but also complex and challenging, market.

For German startups, the Chinese market presents many opportunities, but it is a complex country. Especially young companies run the risk of exposing themselves to dangers along their expansion journey.

German Accelerator supports startups in exploring China in a safe and sustainable way. By the end of the program, startups develop the basis of a tailored, risk-sensitive China strategy on which they can base subsequent business decisions and activities. A potential outcome of the jointly developed strategy may also be that the startup decides to no longer pursue business activities in China.

The program is designed in cooperation with carefully selected and trusted partners in both Germany and the People’s Republic of China. Together with our speakers, mentors, and partners, the German Accelerator team ensures neutral and unbiased advice to the startups throughout the whole program.

Hybrid Program (Virtual + In-Country)

Since the beginning of 2023, China has been gradually lifting its COVID-related travel restrictions, thereby facilitating foreign visitors’ access to the country again.

Therefore, the coming cycles of the China Market Discovery Program will be held in a hybrid format, including an in-person trip to the People’s Republic of China. The trip will be carried out under high-security standards, and the startups are supported and accompanied by us at all times.

Application Deadlines & Program Dates

Application Deadline: August 21, 2023*
Program Dates: October 30, 2023 – November 30, 2023

October 30 – November 3: Optional attendance at HK FinTech Week
November 6 – November 10: Official in-country week
November 13 – November 17: Optional attendance at Start Me Up HK

*Participation in the China Essentials workshop is a prerequisite to the China Market Discovery program.

Additional China Market Discovery program cycles will be offered throughout the year. If you’re interested in learning more, contact our scouting team at advisory@german-entrepreneurship.de.

About China

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Brief Summary of Market

Southeast Asia is the world’s fifth-largest economy and has enjoyed remarkable economic growth in recent years. Almost 50% of Asia regional headquarters are based in Singapore across a diverse range of industries. This makes Singapore an important location for AI startups looking to engage with decision-makers of key partners, stakeholders, and clients and scale their solutions in Asia.

Application Deadlines & Program Dates

Application Deadline: September 25, 2023
Program Dates: October 30 – December 1, 2023

About Southeast Asia

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Brief Summary of Market

South America abounds with growth opportunities. Home to one of the world’s top-ten economies and a number of lucrative emerging markets, South America has seen an increase in both domestic and foreign investment across the region as governments build up local infrastructure around university and industry clusters to directly support innovation and entrepreneurship.

Application Deadlines & Program Dates

Application Deadline: September 29
Program Dates: October 30 – December 15, 2023
Onsite Days: Sao Paulo: November 5 – November 11 & Buenos Aires: November 11 – November 17

About South America

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If you’re not sure, which market in Asia is the right one for you, check out our two-week virtual Asia Market Discovery program to understand which market in Asia might be most suitable for your business.

How to Get Started

Submit Your Application

Provide your pitch deck and answer questions about your company.

Convince the Selection Committee

Shortlisted startups will be invited to pitch in front of our selection committee consisting of accomplished entrepreneurs and local industry experts. Successful applications will be notified of their acceptance into the program.

Time to Roll Up Your Sleeves

Participate in our virtual program! Dive into the fundamentals of each market, and work on validating your business model for the market and industry.

Readiness Assessment

Receive an in-depth market readiness assessment from our experts, with advice on the right time to take the next steps towards this new market.

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Sneak Preview of Workshops

These are some of the topics we will cover during the virtual program with the help of workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions. This is just a sneak preview, there’s plenty of other things you will work on!

Government Focus Areas and Opportunities for German Startups

Legal Insights and How to Set Up Shop

Market and Business Culture

Localizing Your Business Model

Exclusive Program for AI Companies Looking to Expand to Singapore

With almost 50% of Asia’s regional headquarters based in Singapore, it has become an important location for AI startups looking to engage with decision-makers of key partners, stakeholders, and clients and scale their solutions in Asia. Download our free Singapore Market Discovery (AI) Program Guide to find out how the program can help you to understand, discover, and access Singapore’s booming AI market.

→ Download Here

The India program is a very interesting, focused and comprehensive door opener to one of the hottest and biggest markets globally. Particularly for German startups, India is a very interesting market due to the reputation of German technology and solutions, the openness for technology, innovation and change in India as well as the sense for making good business from the Indian counterparts

Manuel Heckmann, COO & Co-Founder of EcoG GmbH

After participating in the program, we got a much more differentiated perspective on the cultural side of doing business in Japan, also of the importance of honouring cultural aspects if you want to run a business in Japan.

Dr. Günther Hoffmann, Founder of Lexatexer GmbH

South Korea is one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems in the world. Driven by the huge support from the South Korean government, its continued dedication to fostering the startup ecosystem will allow foreign startups to realize the potential this market has. Startups who can identify and leverage the opportunities provided by these initiatives will thrive in this exciting ecosystem.

Marta Allina, Founder of Seoul Startups & GAMentor

Market Discovery Program

Explore New Markets in Asia and South America with Our Market Discovery Program

In a Nutshell