What You Get

• Tailored Mentoring: Receive personalized guidance from our experts on all strategic matters.
• Global Market Access: Expand your network with potential customers, investors, and partners.
• Successful Growth: Through 1-on-1 mentor sessions, workshops, and discussions with other startups, learn how to successfully scale into new markets.
‍
Read More

02

Our Programs

• Kickstart: Discover best ways to scale and which country is best suited for your product.
• Market Discovery: Test and validate the product-market fit in a specific market.
• Market Access: Develop your go-to-market strategy and expand successfully.

Read More

03

German Accelerator supports your expansion into leading markets worldwide.

Read More

04

All our programs are free for German startups, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

What others say

Listen to Our Founders

Why German Accelerator?

Companies that have accelerated their business.

Mentors who support startups all across the globe.

Funding raised by program participants.

Continents in which programs are offered.

Our Programs

Your Global Expansion Success - With Our Free Programs*

Figure out which overseas market is right for your startup

Kickstart - Scaling & Growth Program

Learn the essentials of internationalization and determine the optimal market for your product or service.

→ 1-3 days onsite in Germany (designed to fit your busy founder schedule)

Kickstart - Scaling & Growth consists of three mini programs, each targeting a specific stage of your journey: Global Mindset Activation (1 day), Scaling Clarity (3 days), and Global Expansion Strategy (3 days).
Startups can join the program that best fits their current needs, gaining tailored support from experienced mentors, practical tools, and clear strategic guidance to assess readiness and identify the right markets for expansion.

Cost: Free of Charge

Test and validate product-market fit in an overseas market

Market Discovery Program

Test and validate your business model, expand your network and meet potential customers.

→ 5-7 weeks virtually plus 1-2 weeks onsite in the respective oversea market

*500€

for up to 3 participants from the same company

Build your go-to-market strategy and break into an overseas market

Market Access Program

Receive tailored guidance, develop your go-to-market strategy, and enter a new market successfully.

→ 3-6 months in the respective overseas market for an immersive on-site experience.

Cost: Free of Charge

Check Your Eligibility

Markets Where We Help Your Startup Expand

Expand Your Startup Across the Globe

U.S.

From Silicon Valley to New York - Scale your business into the world’s largest and most competitive market, where innovation thrives and opportunities are abundant.

Asia

Asia is a growth engine, driving innovation and economic expansion at an unprecedented pace. Our hubs are located in Southeast Asia, Japan, India, South Korea, and China.

South America

South America's emerging ecosystems are attracting global investors and entrepreneurs, providing a gateway to new customers and untapped potential.

Africa

Africa offers fast-growing markets and strong opportunities for startups ready to validate demand and build local partnerships.

Europe

Europe offers diverse, innovation-driven markets for startups ready to scale across borders and navigate multiple countries and regulations.

Startup Spotlight: 4Screen

How a Startup's Journey Evolves with German Accelerator

2010
2010

2011
2011

Q1 2022

Participated in Kickstart

Step 1

Applied learnings to prepare for U.S. market entry

Step 2

Participated in our U.S. Market Access program

Step 2

Raised $21M from U.S. & EU investors

Testimonials

What Previous Program Participants Say

Daniel Heitz

Founder & CEO

"I’ve participated in other Accelerators before, but with German Accelerator, I had by far the best experience and gained the most value for our company. Each time I thought I was thinking big, they taught me to think even bigger."

BackHub

Felix Ewald

Co-Founder & CEO

"Without German Accelerator, we would have wasted months chasing a market that is significantly different from the European market and that needs a completely different approach."

Dyemansion

Daniel Raschke

Co-Founder

"German Accelerator’s expert mentors constructively challenged our plans and helped us re-evaluate our strategy. They worked with us to sharpen our value propositions and improve our ability to execute. After three tough, but rewarding months, we finished the program as a better, more focused company."

Picalike

Ready to Accelerate Your Global Expansion?

By completing the form, we’ll asses your eligibility, match you with the right program, and guide you through your internationalization journey.

FAQ

You Have the Questions, We Have the Answers

To qualify for any German Accelerator program, your company has to meet our selection criteria:

Your company must be incorporated in Germany with one of the following legal forms: UG; AG; GmbH; GmbH & Co. KG. We also consider GbRs on a case-by-case basis.
Qualify as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) based on the EU definition of a SME
Be under the limit of the official EU De-minimis aid regulation

‍

For our Market Access programs, we look at the following factors to indicate whether your company is ready to expand to new markets:

Product: A product with significant potential in the U.S. or Asian markets and scalable business model, or a proprietary, disruptive technology or product.
Market Traction: For non-healthcare or life science companies, your product or service should have a solid number of customers and traction in Germany. Healthcare and life science companies should demonstrate a high unmet or under-met market need for the proposed solution.
Revenue/Funding: Your company needs to be adequately funded for the duration of the program, including the associated travel, accommodation, and business expenses.
Runway: Startups with sufficient funding, usually for the next 6 to 9 months (usually Seed or Series A as well as extended Series A, Series B, and C) are ready for our programs in the U.S. and Asia, as well as for the Life Sciences program.
Team: The members of the founding and management team need to be willing to learn, actively participate in the program, and be fully committed to establishing operations in the market and/or region.
Strategic Planning: Before you start your expansion journey, you should consider if you have the required resources and willingness to grow your company to new markets and hire people abroad. Your team will have to manage the core business at home effectively while key decision-makers dedicate time to focus on the program and on the U.S. or Asia expansion.
Board Members: Your investors and board members should support your plans to expand your company’s business to new markets with the help of our program.
Physical Presence: For our Japan Market Access program, a physical presence in Japan is required.

‍

For our Kickstart program, we consider the following minimum criteria to ensure your company is ready to start working on the basics for international expansion:

Team: Core team functions (such as founding team, team quality, and dynamics) set up.
Product: An existing product and business model in place.
Commitment: Founder or C-level commitment to the program.

Start by filling out the form.

Bring Your Startup to New Markets — Without Wasting Years of Trial & Error

How We Support You

How exactly do we support you?

What You Get

Our Programs

German Accelerator supports your expansion into leading markets worldwide.Read More

All our programs are free for German startups, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Ready to Accelerate Your Global Expansion?

By completing the form, we’ll asses your eligibility, match you with the right program, and guide you through your internationalization journey.

Listen to Our Founders

Why German Accelerator?

Your Global Expansion Success - With Our Free Programs*

Figure out which overseas market is right for your startup

Kickstart - Scaling & Growth Program

What You Get

Who Is It For

Cost: Free of Charge

Test and validate product-market fit in an overseas market

Market Discovery Program

What You Get

Who Is It For

*500€

for up to 3 participants from the same company

Build your go-to-market strategy and break into an overseas market

Market Access Program

What You Get

Who Is It For

Cost: Free of Charge

Expand Your Startup Across the Globe

U.S.

Asia

South America

Africa

Europe

How a Startup's Journey Evolves with German Accelerator

20102010

20112011

Q1 2022

Step 1

Step 2

Step 2

What Previous Program Participants Say

Ready to Accelerate Your Global Expansion?

By completing the form, we’ll asses your eligibility, match you with the right program, and guide you through your internationalization journey.

You Have the Questions, We Have the Answers

Am I at the right ﻿stage to consider internationalization?

"I won’t be able to m﻿ake time for it"

Is it truly free, and does it involve any equity requirements?

When do the pro﻿grams take place?

Does my company qualify for the German Accelerator programs?

Main

Our Markets

Other

German Accelerator supports your expansion into leading markets worldwide.

Read More

2010
2010

2011
2011

Am I at the right stage to consider internationalization?

"I won’t be able to make time for it"

When do the programs take place?