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Kickstart

A German Accelerator® Program

Explore global market opportunities and develop your strategy for future international expansion.

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The German Accelerator Kickstart Program is run by Start2 Group GmbH and is proudly financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Available in
Talk to the Kickstart Program Manager here.
Find out how this program helps you to start scaling.

Common Kickstart FAQs.
Click here

Book your
window seat
now

Join the next Kickstart program.
Seats are limited!

Send in your application now.

Your Kickstart benefits

Discover your benefits

Accelerate Expansion

We pave the way for international expansion. You will be able to

Save Valuable Resources

Receive the support in the early-stages of your venture

Boosted Exposure

Access our global network of experts

What you get

Your
Markets

Your
Products

Your
Message

Your
Investors

See what other participants say

Claudio Garcia
Founder
Digity GmbH

Iris Brown
Co-Founder
share

The program was a great overview if the most important topics a startup needs for internationalization.

Darius P. Pallus
Co-Founder
Haptik.io

Jana Schellong & Miri Minaz, Co-Founders
usebeams

It was a very useful preparation for expanding into another market. The mentoring sessions were really tailored to our needs and wishes.

Get ready to scale with Kickstart

Choose one of the next cohorts
Traunstein
Düsseldorf
the next cohorts – choose the city
Traunstein
  • Application Deadline: October 20, 2024
  • Program Dates: November 25 – December 13, 2024
  • On-site Date(s): November 25-26, in Traunstein, Germany
Düsseldorf
  • Application Deadline: application closed
  • Program Dates: September 1 – 20, 2024
  • On-site Date(s): September 4, in Düsseldorf, Germany
Kickstart Bonus Modules
You must be accepted in the Kickstart program before booking

South America Module

Explore a dynamic and colorful world of new business opportunities

South America Module

  • Insights on South American Markets by Guest Entrepreneurs
  • Intro to Argentina
  • Intro to Chile
  • Intro to Brazil
  • Foothold Market South America Workshop
Common Kickstart FAQs
How do I apply? 


Startups need to fill in an application form with a pitch deck which can describe their value proposition, problem they are solving, working solution/product, business model etc. You can apply here. If you have any questions, please contact the team at chiara.canavesi@start2.group

The program supports early-stage startups (pre-seed to seed) of all stages and industries who have an interest in expansion and growth.

  • Startups incorporated in Germany are accepted into the Kickstart program. 

  • For startups which are not yet incorporated in Germany, in order to participate, the startup must be based in Germany AND fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
    ◦ Have received EXIST funding
    ◦ Be referred by a local partner/multiplier that is affiliated with the EXIST network

The average program duration per cohort is around 6 days, and usually includes a connected on-site day in the relevant startup regions across Germany. It takes place in a hybrid form with both virtual and on-site sessions.

The Kickstart program is 100% free – no fees, no equity, and is proudly financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

Kickstart is a program that supports early-stage startups (pre-seed to seed stage) with the knowledge and tools needed to build and grow a scalable, global business right from the start.

At Kickstart, we highly value the peer-to-peer effect and the potential of in-person networking. That’s why we organize a 1-day onsite program, providing our startups with the opportunity to connect not only with fellow participants and our team, but also with our experts and speakers. This onsite experience usually takes place at one of our partner’s locations, comprising offline workshops throughout the day and a networking event in the evening. Food and drinks are typically provided for the entire day, while travel and accommodation expenses have to be covered by the startups themselves. Participation in the onsite day is mandatory, as it plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants.

Slides and session files are uploaded into the relevant workshop page under “Kickstart Calendar & Workshops” section of your cohort Notion page.

Our Partner Program for Startups in NRW
Our Events
The Exclusive Pitch Event for Startups and Investors

Cashwalk is the platform for startups and investors to meet in an exclusive environment.

30 carefully selected early-stage startups pitch in front of up to 60 top notch investors.

Apply now and secure your next investment!

Get more information
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CASHWALK –
Our Premium Partner Investors

Powering the Cashwalk event and offering great support for our Startups:

Blog & Benefits
  • Check how other startups scaled their business with Start2
  • Read about their success stories
  • Find out how you can profit from our benefit partners

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Build your customer acquisition foundation today with up to 75% off HubSpot’s marketing and sales software and start generating leads and closing deals!

More than 75 benefit partners offer amazing conditions and rebates for our startups to a wide range of services and products. Profit from Premium Terms.

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UPGRADE YOUR PERFORMANCE

Our participating startups profit from EXCLUSIVE CONDITIONS and %% from our selected BENEFIT PARTNERS.

Profit from their unique startup support.

Rippling helps startups hire, manage, and pay employees globally in under 90 seconds.

  • Our Global Employer of Record (EOR) platform enables you to focus on hiring the best talent anywhere in the world. Streamline compliance, payroll, taxes, local benefits and more in one click with our best-in-class software platform
  • Get Global HR, IT, and US Payroll and Benefits for free for the first 6 months if added at the time of purchase.

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The TK startup experts are here to help

Feeling lost in the social security jungle?

  • Benefit from free consulting sessions.
  • High-growth startups can join the LevelUp program that helps create structures for healthy working in large teams including 50.000 € funding and individual support and coaching

OHV Cloud facilitates exponential and international growth.

  • €10,000 cloud hosting credits for startups
  • €100,000 for scale-ups
  • personal suppport to help you need.

Start2raise: Kick-Off of the new cohort