Germany is a key center for startups in Europe, with a strong network of support for new businesses. This environment helps founders turn their ideas into successful companies.
Leading the way are firms like Rocket Internet, which has backed over 150 companies and seen nearly 50 exits. Other key players, such as Axel Springer Plug and Play Accelerator, have also made more than 100 investments, showing the depth of opportunity available.
Below is our list of the best 84 accelerators and incubators in Germany.
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2,189 Accelerators & Incubators
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1,600+ Unicorns
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250 BioTech & Health Investors
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250 AI Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the AI and Machine Learning industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
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250 Fintech Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the FinTech and Finance industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50Rocket Internet builds and invests in internet companies by identifying proven business models and scaling them in new international markets. They have helped launch major players across e-commerce and food delivery, including household names like Zalando and HelloFresh.
| 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 |
Operating as a joint venture between Axel Springer and Plug and Play, this accelerator provided pre-seed funding and support to early-stage digital media and tech startups. The program helped launch over 100 companies, including the fintech giant N26, before it was succeeded by the venture firm APX.
| 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 |
As a technology holding company, Team Global builds and invests in digital companies from the ground up. They use their own entrepreneurial experience to support founders with big ideas, helping launch successful ventures like Delivery Hero and SoundCloud.
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Founders | Kolja Hebenstreit, Lukasz Gadowski, Pawel Chudzinski |
| Nº of Investments | 35 |
| Nº of Exits | 12 |
coparion operates as a €275 million venture capital fund dedicated to financing young, German technology companies in their startup and early-growth phases. They accelerate sustainable growth through direct investment and by providing portfolio companies with access to their extensive network and industry expertise.
| Year Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 96 |
| Nº of Exits | 11 |
They support early-stage startups focused on energy, smart city, and health tech through a six-month hybrid program. Founders benefit from seed funding and a powerful partner network while retaining full ownership of their companies.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Eric Weber |
| Investment Amount | €6,000 direct award + up to €50K acceleration grant |
| Equity Taken | 0% |
| Nº of Investments | 114 |
| Nº of Exits | 11 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 26 |
FinLab operates as an investment company and builder, backing startups in the financial technology and blockchain sectors. They provide both the capital and the operational support necessary to grow early-stage ideas into established companies.
| Year Founded | 2005 |
| Founders | Christian Angermayer |
| Nº of Investments | 35 |
| Nº of Exits | 8 |
As the tech incubator for Deutsche Telekom, Hubraum brings early-stage startups in areas like IoT and AR/VR into the fold, providing access to capital and network opportunities. This direct link offers entrepreneurs a powerful advantage, creating a clear path for collaboration with one of Europe's largest telecommunications companies.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Peter Borchers, Gilli Cegla |
| Nº of Investments | 51 |
| Nº of Exits | 8 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 13 |
The Open Data Incubator for Europe (ODINE) supports startups and SMEs building businesses centered on open data. Its accelerator program provides equity-free funding, mentorship, and technology to help entrepreneurs across Europe fast-track their product development.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 46 |
| Nº of Exits | 8 |
With a pan-European reach, Next Media Accelerator champions innovation in the media and marketing tech industries. They support early-stage startups by providing the necessary tools and network to scale their solutions across the continent.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Nico Lumma, Dirk Herzbach |
| Nº of Investments | 49 |
| Nº of Exits | 5 |
METRO Xcel propels technology startups in the hospitality, retail, and food industries through its selective, sales-driven program. Founders receive deep mentorship and access to the powerful distribution channels within the METRO AG ecosystem to rapidly scale their business.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 58 |
| Nº of Exits | 5 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 14 |
74 Additional Germany Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
Beyond our top picks, there's a wide array of programs doing great work across the country. Together, they have invested in nearly 1,200 startups and helped almost 60 of them reach an exit.
These organizations offer a variety of resources, from funding to mentorship, for early-stage companies. Here’s a closer look at the other accelerators and incubators supporting founders across Germany.
