International startups that want to conquer the German market from Munich have ABC Venture Gates a partner for expansion. Currently, for example, there is a Polish online monitoring startup and a Turkish startup in the accelerator.
Sometimes you can also find a Munich startup like view or 3Bears at ABC Ventures — however, this is not our core business and is more of a “give something back to the network”. At the same time 
The accelerator also connects startups to Silicon Valley or Slovenia. How does this work? A conversation with co-founder Grega Potokar.
Please introduce yourself and ABC briefly!
I'm Grega Potokar, Co-Founder & Startup Scout at ABC Venture Gates in Munich. ABC Venture Gates is part of Acceleration Business City, the international acceleration group founded in Ljubljana, Slovenia. However, our company is headquartered in Silicon Valley, USA.
Munich-based ABC Venture Gates serves as a gateway to the German market for successful international startups in the growth phase. At the same time, we serve as a bridge between Silicon Valley and the best European startups.
What do you focus on when working with startups?
Our entire team combines local expertise with global ambitions. We focus on each startup individually, ensuring it has the best possible network in the local market and establishes promising business relationships with potential customers.
The will counts – and the right team!
To be successful, a startup must…
...have the right mindset and the will to give it their all. This means that the entire team must have the drive and desire to succeed and devote all their energy and strength to achieving their goals. That's the most important thing—you need a high-performing team that always has your back.
Understand your market!
When expanding into new markets, a successful startup must truly understand the market it aims to conquer. The startup must not only adapt its product or service to the local market, but also the mindset behind it. It must understand the needs, cultural differences, and characteristics of its future customers.
Why does a good startup need you behind it?
This isn't mandatory, but it gives startups the opportunity to focus on what they do best. Our experts provide the local expertise needed to expand into new markets. While the startup focuses on its core business, we take care of the rest.
Having a local expert, whether a friend, mentor, or organization, to rely on when entering a new market eliminates the need to develop everything from scratch. This saves the startup from investing too much time and effort in the problems and challenges that the new market presents.
Diving into a new market
What is the biggest mistake a startup can make?
When expanding into a new market, it's dangerous to assume that a product or service can be marketed there in the same way it's already successfully operating in another. It's absolutely essential to actually be present on-site to research and understand the new market. It's also essential to experience the future customers.
Startups often underestimate cultural differences. German corporate culture, for example, is based on trust. Trust, in turn, requires a personal relationship and therefore personal presence.
The trends of the year…
...are topics in the areas of social networks and social media, while apps and email are on the decline. Health, messaging, and artificial intelligence, on the other hand, are gaining importance. Or as CB Insights so beautifully put it: "Bring on your chattering robot doctors!”
The magnetic effect of Munich
What characteristics make the Munich startup scene so special?
From a business perspective, Munich's many large companies and strong SME sector ensure that it has such a unique startup scene. Everyone shares a strong interest in innovation. This is also the reason why Munich attracts talent like a magnet.
From the community's perspective, the Munich startup scene is a highly international, fast-growing, and extremely collaborative environment. There are many great (networking) events where you can build excellent business contacts.
Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
If you want to conquer the German market or explore your opportunities in Silicon Valley, I look forward to hearing from you at grega@abc-accelerator.com.
