Top 32 Accelerators and Incubators in Berlin (2026)
Berlin is a central location for startups in Europe, home to a dense network of support programs. For instance, Rocket Internet has achieved nearly 50 exits, while Axel Springer Plug and Play has made over 100 investments.
The city's accelerators focus on a variety of industries, from internet companies to FoodTech. They provide founders with the capital and guidance needed to grow.
Below is our list of the best 32 accelerators and incubators in Berlin.
Failory's Top 10 Picks
Rocket Internet builds and invests in internet companies, specializing in transferring proven business models to new, underserved global markets. Through operational development and investment, they have successfully built a portfolio that includes well-known brands like HelloFresh, Delivery Hero, and Zalando.
| Year Founded | 2007 |
| Founders | Marc Samwer, Nickyl Raithatha, Michele Ferrario, Christopher Strauch, Armando Baquero Ponte, Aneesa Arshad, Tanner Hackett, Oliver Samwer, Peter Kopitz, Alexander Samwer, Jaques Weltman, Fernando D'Alessio |
| Nº of Investments | 154 |
| Nº of Exits | 49 |
As a joint venture between a media powerhouse and a global innovation platform, Axel Springer Plug and Play invests in trailblazing digital media and tech startups at the pre-seed stage. In exchange for 5% equity, founders receive €25,000 in capital and access to an extensive network to kickstart their business.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Robin Haak, Luise Gruner, Saeed Amidi, Joerg Rheinboldt |
| Investment Amount | €25,000 |
| Equity Taken | 5% |
| Nº of Investments | 111 |
| Nº of Exits | 18 |
3. Team Global
As a technology holding company, Team Global builds and invests in internet companies with global ambitions. Their portfolio includes successes like Delivery Hero and SoundCloud, which they've supported with both capital and operational guidance.
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Founders | Kolja Hebenstreit, Lukasz Gadowski, Pawel Chudzinski |
| Nº of Investments | 35 |
| Nº of Exits | 12 |
4. Hubraum
As the tech incubator for Deutsche Telekom, Hubraum connects early-stage startups with the corporate giant's vast network and capital. They focus on fostering innovation in areas like IoT and AR by providing entrepreneurs with unique business opportunities and resources.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Peter Borchers, Gilli Cegla |
| Nº of Investments | 51 |
| Nº of Exits | 8 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 13 |
Backed by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, the Open Data Incubator for Europe (ODINE) accelerated startups and SMEs creating innovative solutions with open data. The six-month incubator offered equity-free funding and expert mentorship to help European entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 46 |
| Nº of Exits | 8 |
6. METRO Xcel
METRO Xcel runs a highly selective program designed to accelerate sales for technology startups in the hospitality, retail, and food industries. The program's core focus is on generating revenue and securing pilot projects for participating companies, giving them a direct path to market validation.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 58 |
| Nº of Exits | 5 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 14 |
7. FoodLabs
Combining a venture studio with early-stage VC funding, FoodLabs partners with entrepreneurs dedicated to improving planetary and human health. The firm provides both capital and operational support to build and scale companies in the sustainability, nutrition, and healthcare sectors.
| Year Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | Christophe Maire |
| Nº of Investments | 82 |
| Nº of Exits | 4 |
8. Hardware.co
As a global community and accelerator, Hardware.co champions entrepreneurs and makers focused on creating tangible hardware products. They provide a specialized ecosystem for founders in electronics and computing, helping them navigate the unique challenges of bringing physical innovations to market.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Yatan Blumenthal, Christoph Fahle, Maximilian von der Ahe, Aydogan Ali Schosswald, Jeff Katz |
| Nº of Investments | 68 |
| Nº of Exits | 4 |
9. IONIQ
IONIQ operates as an international platform builder, creating and investing in companies to help shape Europe’s digital future. They focus on developing data-driven business models in sectors like AdTech and FinTech, building them into industry-leading platforms.
| Year Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | Hendrik Krawinkel, Jan Beckers, Ruben Haas, Hanno Fichtner, Tim Koschella |
| Nº of Investments | 11 |
| Nº of Exits | 3 |
10. Heartbeat Labs
As a venture builder, Heartbeat Labs creates, grows, and invests in companies driving the digitalization of medicine. They provide a dedicated platform and resources to support founders building the next generation of digital health solutions.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Eckhardt Weber, Stephanie Kaiser, Hendrik Krawinkel, Jan Beckers |
| Nº of Investments | 10 |
| Nº of Exits | 3 |
22 Additional Berlin Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
The programs we highlighted are excellent, but they're only part of the story in Berlin. The accelerators and incubators below have backed over 450 startups and guided more than 15 of them to an exit.
Many of these programs have their own unique focus and approach. Here’s a look at the rest of the accelerators and incubators helping founders in Berlin.
| Accelerator/Incubator | Year Founded | Nº Investments | Nº Exits |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Delta | 2015 | 47 | 2 |
 Climate-KIC Acceleration Programme | 2012 | 41 | 2 |
 EuropeanPioneers | 2014 | 21 | 2 |
 CNM Ventures | 2006 | 2 | 2 |
 ProVeg Incubator | 2018 | 69 | 1 |
 Yunus Social Business | 2011 | 12 | 1 |
 Berlin Startup Academy | 2012 | 2 | 1 |
 SAP.iO Foundry Berlin | 2016 | 2 | 1 |
 Million Ventures | 2020 | 4 | 1 |
 Eckert Life Science Accelerator | 1992 | 1 | 1 |
 Finparx | 2004 | 4 | 1 |
 Spoti angels | — | 1 | 1 |
 DB Accelerator | 2015 | 9 | 1 |
 EWOR | 2020 | 59 | — |
 Beam | 2018 | 4 | — |
 Seeds of Bravery | — | 106 | — |
 Advanced Blockchain | 2017 | 45 | — |
 MVP Factory | 2017 | 2 | — |
 Reaktor Berlin | 2020 | 1 | — |
 BSCPad | 2021 | 6 | — |
 Bayer G4A | 2013 | 11 | — |
 SCNE | 2020 | 4 | — |
