The Migrant Accelerator
The Migrant Accelerator supports migrant founders with knowledge- and technology-based business ideas who wish to set up a business in Germany. The aim is to remove barriers for international founders and facilitate their entry into the market. In addition, The Migrant Accelerator is aimed at stakeholders in the funding and support sector and helps to make the existing innovation ecosystem and start-up landscape in Germany more inclusive. The aim is to promote innovation and impact, to strengthen the start-up landscape in Germany in the long term, and to increase the number of start-ups and jobs created. The project aims to positively influence society’s perception of the potential of international founders.
Migrant Founders Accelerator
Our Migrant Founders Accelerator is a bespoke support programme for founders with a migrant background in Germany. In a 12-week workshop programme, we cover topics such as market strategies, sales & growth, intercultural business relations, product-market fit, corporate partnerships, pricing, EU funding, financing in Germany, fundraising, communication & PR, and start-up law. Each cohort consists of 10–15 start-up teams, who are supported by experienced mentors with a migrant background.
Highlights include:
- €2,000 in funding for business model and prototype development
- Consultation hours on visas & immigration, law, venture capital and other topics
- Access to co-working spaces, relevant tools, events and trade fairs
- Conclusion with a Demo Day, where the start-up teams present their ideas to an audience
Migrant Founders Community
Our Migrant Founders Community offers a vibrant platform for exchange, networking and mutual support. Over 400 members connect on Slack, including founders with a migrant background, as well as investors and experts from the start-up scene. The community offers:
- A space for questions, discussions and collaborations
- Access to exclusive events and consultation sessions on key topics such as visas, legal matters and financing
Migrant Founders Ecosystem
We are actively working to strengthen the Migrant Founders Ecosystem by building partnerships with key players in the German start-up support sector. Our aim is to increase the visibility and accessibility of existing support programmes for founders with a migrant background and to promote their integration into the German start-up ecosystem.
Achievements
With over 50 migrant-led start-ups in the accelerator programme, over 100 on the waiting list, more than 400 community members, over 100 successful mentors, more than 4,000 followers and over 20 media reports in the press, on the radio and on television, the launch of the project was a great success. We aim to build on this success and create a diverse, innovative and sustainable start-up ecosystem.
Any questions about The Migrant Accelerator?
Nahid Farzana
Startup Center