The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and KfW in April 2018 The startup platform launched successfully and is enjoying increasing popularity among partners and users. Over 10,000 users have already registered and are receiving support with their startup projects—from brainstorming to business model and business plan development to financing applications. The platform is also enjoying great popularity among German startup promoters.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier is pleased about the positive development of the founders’ platform:
"We need more founders in Germany. The successful launch of the startup platform—with more than 10,000 users and over 350 partners such as banks and state development agencies—is therefore very good news. Such a digital bundling of services from the startup support scene is unique in Germany. The startup platform is a central component of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy's digital startup support program, which we are continuing to expand."
The partners include over a hundred banks and savings banks, all state development institutes and numerous chambers of commerce and trade.
Strengthening entrepreneurial spirit in Germany together
Dr. Ingrid Hengster, member of the KfW Executive Board, continues:
"The Founders' Platform has already become a central meeting point for everyone contributing to an active startup scene in Germany. I invite all partners who are not yet involved to join and call on them: Let us work together to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit in Germany and pave the way for founders to succeed."
Shorter paths in the business start-up process
The networked digital infrastructure enables users to shorten the process of starting a business. For example, by entering their postal code, they can instantly find the right bank or development institution in their area. They can also interact directly and digitally with partners and have their startup project reviewed early on. The platform aims to motivate startups and features many encouraging examples. In numerous videos, successful founders describe how they got started.
