Accelerator - STARTPLATZ
STARTPLATZ Accelerator Logo
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STARTPLATZ AI Accelerator NRW

For startups of all industries

Scale your startup with the power of AI.
4 months. 10 startups. One mission: We integrate AI into your growth strategy.

Discover program Join waitlist →
Startup meeting in modern coworking space
📅
Batch 1 starts
October 2025
🚀
Application Phase Batch 2
Spring 2026

STARTPLATZ Track Record - Startup & AI Experience

1,500+ Supported Startups
800+ Million € Investment
27 Accelerator Batches
500+ AI Events & Workshops
200+ AI Experts in Network
100+ AI Managers Trained

Is the AI Accelerator NRW right for you?

4 months of AI integration for growth startups on their way to scale-up. One of 6 NRW-funded hubs with the largest startup community in NRW.

We're looking for startups for our AI Accelerator that:

  • Already have first customers and have validated their business model
  • Have developed a scalable product and want to grow
  • Want to use AI as a growth lever in their business
  • Are ready to scale with a team of 2-10 people

Still in the idea phase?

Our Open Accelerator is the perfect entry point for early-stage startups with flexible programs.

To Open Accelerator →

Startups from Batch 1

These innovative startups were selected for the first cohort of the AI Accelerator NRW

Unlock AI Koup AI Pagent Comdaily Anny Tenderflow

Interested in the next batch?

Join the waitlist now for free and receive early information about the next application phase

Join waitlist

The Program: 3 Phases to Scale-up

Our proven 4-month program guides growth startups through a structured path to scaling with AI integration as the focus.

1

Foundation

  • Technology Readiness Check-up
  • KPI Definition & Growth Unlock Workshop
  • Mentor Madness - Find your ideal mentors
  • Kick-off event with startup community
2

Implementation

  • Specialized Workshops on growth topics
  • Micro-residency with international AI experts
  • Hands-on AI integration into your processes
  • Fundraising &
    Pitch Training
3

Scale

  • VC office hours with top investors
  • Demo Day preparation & pitch perfection
  • International expansion support
  • Demo Day - Present your growth

Workshop Program

Specialized workshops tailored to your team's needs (subject to change).

AI & Technology

  • • AI Bootcamp & Prompting
  • • AI-First Mindset
  • • AI Agents & Automations
  • • Technology Readiness Check
  • • Security Essentials

Growth & Marketing

  • • AI-Powered Growth Strategies
  • • AI Marketing Stack 2025
  • • B2B Sales Engine with AI
  • • Pricing & Packaging
  • • International Expansion

Finance & Pitch

  • • Financial Planning & Models
  • • Fundraising Masterclass
  • • Term Sheets & Cap Table
  • • Pitch Training & Demo Day
  • • Leadership & Culture

Direct access to AI expertise through our accelerator program

International Expertise

Top AI experts from around the world

At targeted points in the program

Silicon Valley & tech hubs worldwide
State-of-the-art AI technologies
Global expansion & scaling
+
Regional Support

Local AI specialists on-site

4 months of continuous support

Personal mentoring daily
Immediately available problem solving
Strong local AI network

Unser Netzwerk

Starke Partner für deinen Erfolg - Zugang zu Investoren, Corporates und internationalen Märkten

Corporate Partner

Investor Network

Tech Partner

International

Alumni Success Stories

Our alumni have proven: With the right support, extraordinary successes emerge.

Cognigy Logo

Cognigy

Conversational AI

Global AI Leader $950M+ Exit
Ingestro Logo

Ingestro

B2B Enterprise SaaS

From 2 to 26 employees €4.6M Investment
Prematch Logo

Prematch

Sport-Tech

From 4 to 55 employees €6.5M Investment
RIIICO Logo

RIIICO

Manufacturing SaaS

From 4 to 34 employees $2.5M Investment
Dermanostic Logo

Dermanostic

Digital Health

From 4 to 45 employees €5M+ Investment
Lumoview Logo

Lumoview

Computer Vision

AI Pioneer in Healthcare €5.5M Investment

Application Process

Three simple steps to your place in the AI Accelerator

1

Online Application

Pitch Deck (max. 12 slides)

Deadline: September 28, 2025

2

Selection Process

Selection interviews at STARTPLATZ Cologne

Mid-September

3

Start of 1st Batch

Meet & Greet on October 27th
with program team

Kickoff on October 29th at STARTPLATZ Cologne

💡

Still in the idea phase?

Our Open Accelerator supports early-stage startups with flexible programs.

To Open Accelerator →

Partnership Models

Various ways to become part of the STARTPLATZ AI ecosystem and profit from innovation.

Innovation Partner

Become an Innovation Partner and get exclusive access to cutting-edge AI startups.

  • Exclusive startup mentoring and pilot projects
  • Scouting requests for upcoming batches
  • Provide your own mentor for direct access
  • Access to all events and meetups
Inquire now

Access Partner

Position yourself as a preferred service provider for our growing AI startups.

  • Access to 2 batches (20 startups per year)
  • Provide trial offers & discounts
  • Co-branding at events and in newsletter
  • Mention in rejections (3-digit reach)
Inquire now

Spectator Partner

Perfect for SMEs: Dive into the AI world and learn from practical implementations.

  • Observer role in AI implementations
  • STARTPLATZ AI Hub membership included
  • Exclusive AI webinars & keynotes
  • Feedback reports of startup AI projects
Inquire now

Investor Partner

Direct access to the most promising AI startups in their growth phase.

  • Demo Day access to all batches
  • Due diligence support through our team
  • Early stage meetings during the program
  • Portfolio review and follow-up rounds
Inquire now
AI-EXPERTISE

Become a Mentor & Expert

Share your AI knowledge and support the next generation of unicorns as part of our expert network.

1:1 startup mentoring with tomorrow's stars
High flexibility
Workshop leader
Visibility in the AI community
Become an Expert

Looking for a personalized partnership?

Do you have special requirements or ideas for cooperation? We're happy to develop customized partnership models.

Book consultation

Do you still have questions about our AI Accelerator?

Don't hesitate to contact us. Our team is happy to assist you:

FAQ - AI Accelerator NRW

How much equity do you take? +

None at all, we don't take any shares in your startup.

Does our startup have to be from NRW? +

No, but you should be ready to spend 4 months in Cologne. The program requires your presence on-site.

Do we already need AI expertise in our team? +

No, that's exactly what we're here for. The important thing is to be willing to learn and integrate AI into your business.

How much does it cost to participate? +

The program is free of charge. You even get free coworking access at STARTPLATZ.

What is the time commitment? +

An average of 2-5 hours per week.

Which startups are ideal for the AI Accelerator? +

Growth startups with MVP, initial customers, and teams of 2-10 people. You are ready for the next scaling phase and see AI as a growth lever.

Is the program for scale-ups or early-stage startups? +

We focus on the "pre-scale-up phase" - startups that already function but haven't scaled yet. Perfect as preparation for scale-up programs.

What happens after the program? +

You remain part of our alumni network with access to events and mentors, and you are optimally prepared for scale-up programs or further funding rounds.