Startups & Ecosystem

JETRO Munich

The Japanese government trade promotion organization JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a public institution under Japanese law headquartered in Tokyo. It was founded in 1958 to promote foreign trade and is now represented in Japan with 49 offices and worldwide in 56 countries with a further 76 offices. JETRO supports innovative startups and companies looking to invest in Japan, collaborate with Japanese companies, or source products from Japan. With information on various industries and market developments as well as individual consulting through our free support programs “Invest Japan” and “J-Bridge”, we pave the way to Japan. In addition, JETRO offers targeted support for companies and startups by organizing events, trade fair participation, and invitation programs to Japan, among other things. As the Munich office, our focus is on supporting startups and companies from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg with their plans for Japan. If you are interested in our free support programs, we would be happy to arrange a brief meeting – whether online or on-site. Simply contact us by email: mun(at)jetro.go.jp

Social Entrepreneurship Akademie

Under the motto “Education for Societal Change”, the Social Entrepreneurship Akademie (SEA) empowers people to develop and implement innovative solutions that are economically viable, socially impactful, and ecologically sustainable. Established as a network organization of Munich universities, SEA builds competencies in social entrepreneurship and social innovation to achieve the greatest possible societal impact through entrepreneurial means. SEA offers students and young professionals the certificate program “Certificate for Transformational Change” (SEA:certificate), the two-day introductory workshop “SEA:start”, the international “Global Entrepreneurship Summer School”, and free online courses (MOOCs). In 2022, we initiated the “Social-Startup-Hub Bayern” on behalf of the Free State of Bavaria. As part of this project, we serve as a central point of contact for aspiring founders and social startups throughout Bavaria. We provide free consulting to everyone with an idea that addresses a social or ecological problem. Thanks to our extensive network, we can bring our teams together with investors, experts, and support offerings from all regions of Bavaria and regularly organize events where our community can exchange ideas.

Münchner Gründungsbüro

Munich’s startup consulting supports you with your first steps into self-employment on the following topics: Startup formalitiesBusiness planLegal structure and tax overviewPersonal and business insuranceFunding offers and financing assistanceSeminars and eventsOffice space and startup centers We offer free and cross-industry information and consulting for everyone who wants to become self-employed or is looking for support in the startup process (with the exception of trades). We would like to point out that we do not provide insurance, tax, or legal advice. Visit our online seminar for a compact overview of all startup topics. Registration at: https://gruenden-muenchen.de/

Social-Startup-Hub Bayern

The Social-Startup-Hub Bayern (SSHB) of the Social Entrepreneurship Akademie serves as the central point of contact for social startups and entrepreneurs-to-be, providing free consultation to all individuals and teams in Bavaria who pursue social or ecological goals with their startup – from the early idea phase onwards. The SSHB offers open startup consulting – from the idea phase through implementation to the development of sustainable business models. Tailored to your needs, we connect entrepreneurs-to-be and startups with investors, experts, and support services across Bavaria. Additionally, we organize events and further education programs to build knowledge and competencies in social entrepreneurship.

TUM Venture Lab Food Agro Biotech

TUM Venture Lab Food / Agro / Biotech (FAB) is a founder and innovation center of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and UnternehmerTUM. It supports students, researchers, and startup teams in converting innovative business ideas in the areas of agriculture, food, biotechnology, and life sciences into successful companies.

UnternehmerTUM GmbH

At UnternehmerTUM, visions become value. Our teams empower innovation-driven people to take entrepreneurial action. Together with startups and established companies, we advance solutions and build innovation clusters to strengthen competitiveness and master deindustrialization, digitalization, and the transition to regenerative business models. Since 2002, we have supported forward-thinking startups with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and entrepreneur Susanne Klatten, such as Celonis, Proxima Fusion, Quantum Diamonds, and Isar Aerospace.

Founder State Bavaria is the initiative of the Bavarian Ministry of Economics to strengthen Bavaria as a startup location. The initiative networks over 350 partners from across the Free State – including founder centers, universities, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, and economic development agencies – and supports founders with information, networks, funding programs, and infrastructure throughout all phases of business establishment.

gate Garching Technology and Founder Center GmbH

gate Garching is the founder center for tech startups at the Forschungscampus Garching. As a founder, you’ll get affordable, flexibly expandable offices, coaching, and a strong community of other deep-tech gate startups—directly within the TUM ecosystem. This gives you everything in one place to turn your research into a scalable company.

Advantage Austria

As the official representative of Austrian business in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, we are your first point of contact for all questions regarding products and services “made in Austria”. We are part of a global network of over 100 offices worldwide that supports our Austrian member companies on international markets through access to knowledge, platforms, and partners. Here in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, our competent and motivated team helps you find Austrian products and business partners and informs you about innovations and market developments. Whether at one of our group stands at leading trade fairs, specialist events, or our networking meetings – we look forward to seeing you and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Media Lab Bayern

The Media Lab Bayern is an initiative of the Medien.Bayern GmbH and is supported by the Bavarian State Chancellery and the Bavarian State Center for New Media (BLM). The Medien.Bayern GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of the Bavarian State Center for New Media (BLM) and promotes innovation at Bavaria’s media location. The Medien.Bayern GmbH networks stakeholders through events, provides financial support through funding programs, and markets Bavaria’s media location externally. To this end, the events department organizes the MEDIENTAGEN MÜNCHEN, Europe’s largest media conference, annually, as well as other specialized media events such as the Local Radio Days.

The Startup‑Center of Stadtsparkasse München is your practical launch‑pad: you get lean consulting, pitch‑coaching, and a clear funding‑roadmap to get to market quickly. At the same time, the Center networks you with the entire Munich ecosystem – from university spin‑offs and tech clubs to investors and partners.

UnternehmerTUM Accelerator

UnternehmerTUM Accelerator is a Munich-based high-tech start-up accelerator powered by UnternehmerTUM. In our program, we accelerate the most promising high-tech start-ups on their way from MVP to market entry. Through our expertise and broad network, we help start-ups to validate their business model, win first customers and secure initial investments. By providing market-oriented and industry-specific support, we create excellent starting conditions for tech entrepreneurs across Europe. The UnternehmerTUM Accelerator community of 270+ successful alumni has raised more than €3.3 billion in venture capital since 2017! WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU Join UnternehmerTUM Accelerator for an intensive program with: 🌐 A powerful network of 250+ VCs and public funding partners 🏢 Access to 300+ established companies for pilots and first customers 🎓 Expert sessions across fundraising, GTM, IP, and more 🤝 1:1 coaching and a committed founder community 🏙️ Free office/lab space + €600K in perks 🏢 All this, right at the heart of Europe’s #1 Startup Hub UnternehmerTUM, recognized by Financial Times and Statista three years in a row WHO SHOULD APPLY We are keen to work with pre-seed and seed start-ups with a strong high-tech focus. Specific technologies of interest are: – Aerospace – Agri Tech / Food Tech – AI / Quantum – Bio Tech / Clean Energy – Fin Tech – Health Tech – Legal Tech – Mobility – Robotics – Sustainability / Impact – Built Environment However, if you are working on a technology-based business that is not included in this list, don’t hesitate to apply! We are looking forward to seeing creative and ground-breaking solutions in all technology fields. Our program is completely free and we do not take any equity!