Internationalization – yes or no? A question that many successful startups face. In order to take some of the size out of the big step of "international expansion," the German Accelerator with its first location in Silicon Valley. An office in New York followed in 2014, and in 2016, one in Boston with a special program for life sciences startups. Since 2018, the German Accelerator has also had a location in Singapore. – and thus access to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian markets. Matthias Notz, CEO and Managing Director of German Entrepreneurship GmbH, has more to say about the German Accelerator program.
Please introduce yourselves briefly.
We support the most promising German startups in their international expansion. We offer various free programs at our locations in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, New York, Boston, and Singapore. Our team of experienced mentors and experts actively supports the selected companies and their founders with local expertise, various training courses and workshops, as well as intensive coaching and consulting services. Furthermore, program participants receive direct access to our global network of partners and investors, as well as free office space. Our offerings are primarily aimed at mature startups that already have a functioning product and customers in their home market of Germany. We are now offering JumpStart but also a program for early-stage founders who want to get a taste of the Valley. The first participants will start in July. Our 35 employees are spread across our various locations, with the majority based in Munich – our office here serves as our global hub. We are supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
From pitch coach to growth hacker to SEO expert
What do you focus on when working with startups?
It is particularly important to us to tailor our offerings to the individual needs and goals of each startup. In addition to intensive group workshops on topics such as recruiting, marketing, fundraising, and founding a company in a new market, we offer customized support from various mentors who are well-versed in the respective industry or specific field and are regularly available for discussion and as sparring partners. In total, German Accelerator has a global network of more than 300 mentors – from pitch coaches to growth hackers to SEO experts. For every challenge our startups face during their international expansion, we can provide an experienced mentor and work together to develop a solution or plan.
“To be successful in international expansion, a startup must…”
...provide the necessary resources, engage with the new market, and develop an understanding of its dynamics. We advise our participants to be and remain open-minded and to expect the unexpected, because even a market like the US, which at first glance appears similar to Germany, operates quite differently – and not just culturally.
Biggest mistake: Taking expansion lightly
Why does a good startup need an accelerator to support its international expansion?
Especially when entering a new market, it's important to get going quickly. Here, we take our name literally, because acceleration is clearly the key. We provide practical expertise on all relevant topics, establish direct contacts with potential customers and partners in the new markets, and help test product-market fit, avoid common mistakes, and optimize where necessary. All of this can significantly accelerate market entry and minimize risks.
What is the biggest mistake a startup can make?
The biggest mistake associated with international expansion is taking it lightly. With the German Accelerator programs, we have already supported more than 220 startups in their move to the US or Southeast Asia. The most successful ones are those that are passionate about the new market, immerse themselves deeply in the local ecosystem, and are willing to constantly learn and work hard.
The trend of the year is…!
Go West, Go East, Go Fast!
Interaction between startups and large corporations
What characteristics make the Munich startup scene so special?
Munich is a high-tech hub, and its ecosystem is naturally shaped by the interaction between startups and the major corporations based here, such as Siemens and BMW. These companies are increasingly open to young companies, wanting to share in their innovative strength, dynamism, and culture and collaborate with them on new topics and ideas. Co-creation is the key word here—a great opportunity for both sides.
Furthermore, the Munich scene benefits enormously from the strong universities and the various programs and incubators that are linked to them. Good examples here are the UnternehmerTUM, the Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM), the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE) and that LMU Entrepreneurship Center. In recent years, very promising startups have emerged from all these institutions, and with Celonis, one of our alumni, even created a unicorn, whose success further strengthens the Munich ecosystem.
Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Our Company Scouts, Miguel Encarnacion, Helen Han and Sally Menken are based in Berlin and Munich and are the contact persons for all interested startups. They are represented at many events throughout Germany, but you can also contact them directly via our website or our social media channels. They are available to answer any questions about our programs, advise on timing, location, and program content, and are also happy to put you in touch with former program participants, because we all know how exciting it is to hear directly from someone who has experienced something firsthand. We also have teams on site in San Francisco, Sunnyvale (right in Silicon Valley), New York, Cambridge near Boston, and Singapore – they are also always happy to welcome visitors from Germany.
