Do you have a business idea, but need support? Incubators and accelerators in Munich can help you develop a viable business concept and find network partners, premises, infrastructure and mentors can help.
The list of incubators and accelerators in Munich is diverse. The key is to find a program that's tailored to your current situation and business area.
If you're just starting out, the programs offered by Munich's universities and colleges might be a good fit.
Offers from Munich universities and colleges
UnternehmerTUM, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Technical University of Munich, develops and connects talent, technologies, capital, and customers. Managing Director Helmut Schönenberger on the work of UnternehmerTUM:
"We offer founders a comprehensive service from the initial idea to the IPO. A team of experienced entrepreneurs, scientists, managers, and investors supports startups in the development of their products and services. Our [...] employees actively support them in building the company, entering the market, and securing financing—including through the UnternehmerTUM fund."
The LMU Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (LMU IEC) The goal of the LMU IEC is to promote innovative and entrepreneurial thinking and action across all LMU faculties and to support innovations with social added value on their path to becoming business models. Through the three program pillars "inspire," "innovate," and "take off," the LMU IEC offers courses, workshops, events, and startup programs for LMU students and researchers.
The Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE) The Munich University of Applied Sciences offers educational and research programs in the field of entrepreneurship, promotes innovation processes, and the development of entrepreneurial personalities. The SCE supports start-ups from academia and accompanies young companies from idea development to marketable innovation.
The Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM) is a joint research and teaching institute of the Technical University of Munich and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Its focus is on the education of highly gifted students, applied ICT research, and the promotion of entrepreneurship.
For tech and early-stage startups
Techfounders is an accelerator program and an initiative of UnternehmerTUM. The twenty-week program is aimed at technology startups in the fields of automotive, mobility, automation and robotics, electronics, cleantech, technology education, and industrial IoTThe two classes per year are supervised by over 200 mentors. The startups also receive €25,000 for further project development. Uniquely, the startups do not have to give up any company shares for any of these services.
Plug and Play Munich Plug and Play is an innovation platform, coworking community, and event space. Launched in Munich at the end of 2017, Plug and Play operates accelerator programs in three different industries: insurtech, healthcare, and retailtech.
Xpreneurs offers a three-month full-time incubator program aimed at early-stage, high-tech startups preparing for market launch. Participants in the UnternehmerTUM program receive intensive coaching and mentoring, as well as access to Makerspace and the incubator's network. Startup teams can use workspaces in Munich and Garching.
Start2raise is the fundraising accelerator for pre-seed and series A startups from all industries of the Start2 Group (formerly German Entrepreneurship). Formerly known as the Master Accelerator, Start2raise has already helped numerous founders successfully complete their first or subsequent financing rounds. During the six-month support phase, startups develop their fundraising strategy with mentors, prepare their investor pitch, and gain valuable knowledge for their financing round. Additionally, the program connects startups with Start2Group's extensive network of investors and partners and offers numerous networking opportunities, such as the Cashwalk pitch event. All participating teams have the opportunity to use co-working spaces in Start2Group's Munich office.
As a start-up center on the research campus in Garching near Munich, the gate Garching Tech startups are growing. At gate, startups move into their own office, receive advice from experienced coaches, use professional meeting rooms, and benefit from the knowledge of the community. The founders particularly appreciate the location on the research campus, directly next to the UnternehmerTUM and the high-tech workshop MakerSpace.
Max!mize supports scientists in becoming entrepreneurs. The goal of Max Planck Innovation's official startup incubation program for the Max Planck Society is to create the perfect environment for science-based entrepreneurship, where potential founders can learn and grow in a safe yet challenging atmosphere. They receive personalized support with their startup idea and learn how to apply new skills in the search for and design of viable business models. The key ingredients: startup expertise, networking, and financial support.
Special Interest: Space, Biotechnology, Media, Food, Agritech, Information and Communication Technology
The start-up program of the ESA Business Incubation Center (BIC) Bavaria The Oberpfaffenhofen Application Center provides financial and technical support to young companies whose business model is based on the use of space technologies or space infrastructures for products in other economic sectors.
Supported for over 20 years BioM The Southern Bavarian biotechnology startup scene acts as a "networker for everything": from idea to innovation, from business plan to funding or financing, and finally to founding. The network operates locally, nationally, and internationally, providing founders with the right contacts at the right time.
The EIT Food Accelerator Network offers a four-month accelerator program for startups in the food and agritech sectors. It provides access to the industry, experts, and mentors. The program is implemented in Munich by UnternehmerTUM and runs concurrently in five other European cities.
The Biotechnology Innovation and Start-up Center (IZB) is one of the most successful biotechnology centers in the world. At the Planegg-Martinsried location, startups focused on medical biotechnology find space and a large network.
The Media Lab Bayern is the place for everyone who wants to help shape media change. The coworking space and ideas incubator for digital journalism in the east of Munich offers Work spaces for young talents and supports the founding of media startups with a Founders Fellowship.
Wayra, Telefonica's startup accelerator, is looking for business ideas in the internet and new technologies sectors. Startups can expect funding, specialized mentors, training, and professional business consulting, as well as access to the Telefonica Group's business contacts.
Think big — support for internationalization
If you want to take the leap across the pond or into Asia with your startup, you should take a look at the program of the German Accelerator The accelerator supports the most promising German startups in their international expansion. At the innovation hubs of San Francisco, Silicon Valley, New York, Boston, and Singapore, the team of experienced experts and mentors actively supports the selected companies with local expertise and various workshops and training opportunities.
You can find many more consulting services and tips for startups that want to establish themselves internationally in our Overview of start-up advice.
Go social — social entrepreneurship
The Impact Hub Munich is an innovation space for sustainable business, a framework and stimulus for creative work and entrepreneurship for the common good. Hub founders Joscha Lautner and Johann Schorr on the Hub's focus:
"We bring together startups in the pre- and post-foundation phase, as well as established companies, independent consultants, CSR employees, project staff, and non-governmental organizations. All share the goal of working for a better world. Our members receive targeted support and advice tailored to their individual needs, not only through our network but also through our programs."
Respond is an accelerator of the BMW Stiftung Herbert Quandt for impact-driven tech startups, operated by UnternehmerTUM, which serves to accelerate company founding and empower leaders to take their companies to the next level.
Other incubators and accelerators in Munich
Are you primarily looking for premises? Then this could be Munich Technology Center (MTZ) might be just right for you. The MTZ supports founders and young companies from all technology sectors during their start-up phase by providing suitable space and intensive coaching.
The Plant1 at Ostbahnhof focuses on coworking. Freelancers, startups, and small business owners find excellent networking opportunities, workspaces, and office space here. The incubator program, in turn, connects you with mentors and provides intensive support along the way.
You can find more incubators and accelerators in Munich in our Category 'Scene'.
