Startup communities in Multiple Locations

In-Person

The Digital Founders Initiative Oberpfalz (DGO) supports technology-oriented founders and startups in implementing digital business ideas, services, or products through subsidized co-working spaces at the university locations of Amberg and Weiden, as well as an industry-specific network. The program promotes the qualification of potential founders, cross-industry networking of startups with established companies, and the identification of innovation potential in the region. In addition, the DGO offers consulting and awareness-raising on IT security and data protection to build a sustainable startup ecosystem. The organization is run by TechBase Regensburg GmbH and OTH Amberg-Weiden, funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

In-Person

The Digital Founders Center Parsberg-Lupburg offers startups and founders flexible co-working spaces for networking with other founders and freelancers, as well as a clear separation between work and private life. It supports the development of innovative business ideas through a Bavaria-wide network and fosters the exchange between startups and established companies to leverage synergies. In addition to providing new office spaces and event formats, the center enables access to financial funding and qualification programs to strengthen competencies and technological expertise. The organization is run by the Technical University of Deggendorf and the East Bavarian Technical University of Applied Sciences Regensburg, which collaborate closely at the Parsberg-Lupburg campus.

Hybrid

Founders Foundation Accelerator, based in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region (Germany), supports startups from the B2B tech sector, particularly in AR & VR, artificial intelligence, big data, education, health, logistics, mobility & travel, robotics, and SaaS. The accelerator offers a five-month funding program held twice a year. Participants benefit from individual mentoring, targeted workshops, weekly meetings, and access to an excellent network structure encompassing "hidden champions" and global market leaders. Founders Foundation takes no equity from founders and is a non-profit organization founded in 2016 by the Bertelsmann Foundation.

Hybrid

Gründungswerft is a large non-profit community platform in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern that supports technology- and idea-driven founders at a total of eight locations through networking, events, consulting formats, and visibility offerings within eight regional local associations. Participants benefit from regular pitch nights, workshops, mentoring exchange with over 400 members, and a central ecosystem for startups in the Baltic Sea region. The initiative does not offer structured batch funding but acts as a network multiplier and information hub for founding scene activities. The goal is the long-term development of a supra-regional startup ecosystem with prospects for scaling and visibility.

Hybrid

KI-Garage, based in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, supports startups in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with supportive networks, business and AI workshops as well as coaching by experienced mentors. The program is specifically designed for early-stage startups that use AI as the main component of their product or service. It is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation and is a collaboration with leading educational institutions such as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the University of Mannheim and Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH.