The Fast Track for Early-Stage Tech-Startups

We Help Startups Grow Faster

The application phase for Batch #23 is closed.
You can already submit your application for Batch #24 starting at the end of August.

APPLY NOW

Our Teams from the Current Batch #23

Startups from Previous Batches

What Our Alumni Say About Us

BENJAMIN DAMMERTZ

MANUEL BORN

DR. MED. ALICE MARTIN

CEO FoxBase

payactive GmbH

COO dermanostic GmbH - Hautarzt per App

"STARTPLATZ has strongly supported us as a medical company in the installation and planning as well as the network. We have received extensive knowledge in the area of PR as well as organizational structure. The community at STARTPLATZ is supportive, familial and network-oriented. A perfect start for every start-up."

"The STARTPLATZ Accelerator was extremely helpful for us in the initial phase. The program was well-structured, and competent speakers always provided relevant input. Especially the strong network and the corresponding contacts to corporates, investors, but also to fellow founders were of great value."

„payactive was accepted into STARTPLATZ in 2020. This was an important and helpful step for the founding team, as linking up with companies and the local start-up scene helped payactive to acquire its first customers. The trainings and coachings were also very good and helped to lay the foundation for the establishment of the company.“

Focus Week Contents

PHASE 1

Our Key Topics

Lean Startup

Pitch Training

Business Development

Legal & Data Security

Financials & Investment

Product & Pricing

Marketing & Sales

Human Resources

PHASE 2

STARTPLATZ Accelerator – Facts & Figures

Locations in NRW

Cologne and Düsseldorf

Years of Experience

established in 2012

Batches

70+

Committed Mentors

70+

% Survival Rate

200+

Supported Startups

Your Benefits in the Program

Potential Pilot Customers

Startup Community

Mentoring & Expertise

Workshops

Become part of the largest startup community in NRW and meet entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, corporates and many other stakeholders with an affinity for innovation.

Over 60 mentors coach you in 1on1-sessions and are available for field-specific as well as general founding questions. Our core team gives you important development impulses.

Exclusive Accelerator expert sessions in small groups on the most important startup topics and business areas. Additionally, we offer a wide range of workshops with all community members.

Thanks to our numerous corporate partnerships and the very diverse community, you will easily find access to pilot customers, both in the B2B and B2C area.

Work Space

Exposure

20+ Perks

Investment Support

Marketing and PR support is available through our own far-reaching channels. From Instagram reposts to blog features.

Over 65k € credits with our exclusive service partners. Additional discounts and deals for many more startup tools.

We actively support you in your search for investment through our Europe-wide network of investors.

As Accelerator Team you have access to our Corona compliant coworking spaces
in Cologne & Düsseldorf.
Coffee flat included.

Our Service Partners

The Course of the Program

Selection Criteria

We are looking for ambitious founders who want to take their early-stage tech startup to the next level.

If your startup has a scalable business model in the tech sector and you already have a testable MVP,
then apply for our Accelerator program now.
The best 10–15 teams are selected from over 100 applications from more than 15 countries per batch.

Early-Stage

Tech-Focus

Testable MVP

Scalability

Relevant Topic

Full-Time-Commitment

You meet all requirements?

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The Application Process

Pre-Selection

Decision

We evaluate all applications received and invite the most convincing teams for further interviews.

APPLY NOW

If you have convinced us,
you are part of the next STARTPLATZ Accelerator batch!

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Fill in Your Application

Selection Interview

Fill in the application form and tell us about you and your startup. Upload your pitch deck as a PDF – please refer to our

Pitch Deck Guide. You can still work on your pitch deck after submitting it. If you are selected for an interview you can present an updated version.

You present your startup to the STARTPLATZ Accelerator jury and we have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know you better.

News & Insights

Do you want to stay updated?

Receive regularly all news from the STARTPLATZ ecosystem, including workshops and events!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Our Mentors

More than 60 mentors with unique backgrounds in different areas are ready to support you with their expertise and experience!

Mentors Overview (PDF)

Our Partners

The STARTPLATZ Accelerator Team

Founder and managing director of STARTPLATZ.
Previously founder and chairman of the board at Globalpark. Missed a comprehensive incubator concept in the Rhineland and promptly set up his own. Since then, highly successful in the startup scene.

Lorenz Gräf

CEO / Program Director

As managing director Lukas focuses on the Accelerator as well as the Rhineland Pitch. In particular, he deals with scouting & selection of new up-and-coming startups as well as coaching the startups in the program. He also helps many startups with fundraising and connects them with top investors throughout Europe.

Lukas Gräf

Managing Director

Marius is the connection point between the teams, mentors, and STARTPLATZ and makes sure that our accelerator startups always get exactly the support they need.
He also coaches young, entrepreneurial talents with promising business ideas as part of the NRW start-up scholarship program.

Marius Franke

Program Manager

Christiane supports the Accelerator team in marketing, mainly via social media and in the scouting for new startups. She is also actively involved in the organization of the current Batch #22.

Clara supports the team in scouting and in the development of new products and services.

Victoria supports the Accelerator team scouting for startups. Additionally, she helps planning and marketing the Rheinland-Pitch events via social media.

Christiane Fischer

Marketing & Sales

Clara Barrocu

Accelerator Operations

Victoria Giesler

Accelerator Operations

Become part of the team!

Send us your application

You Have Questions?

We have answered the most frequent ones for you!

FAQ

You still have questions?
Shoot: accelerator@startplatz.de

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