You have come across our accelerator program, but you are not quite sure if it is suitable for your startup? We often receive questions from established startups asking whether they still fit into the program and what added value the participation has. In this article, we will show you 10 strong arguments why established startups should definitely apply for our free program.
Germany is globally known as a strong, innovation-driven economy with successful global corporations and SMEs (the so-called German “Mittelstand”). Cooperation between private and public organizations, combined with a strong appetite for investment opportunities, has made Germany a highly attractive market for all types of businesses and has strengthened its position within the startup ecosystem. With SpinLab even mature startups receive valuable introductions to German corporate customers, universities, political stakeholders, investors, and mentors. We also help clarify legal and tax matters for foreign startups looking to establish operations in Germany.
With SpinLab’s groups network and connections to more than 35 major corporations and business partners, we introduce you to the right contacts and help you gain the exposure needed to expand your target customer base. Building brand recognition among large companies can become an expensive, time-consuming, and resource-intensive task if your startup lacks the appropriate referrals. Our partners rely on us to identify (usually paid) cooperation projects, and it is our responsibility to facilitate and moderate these collaborations.
Germany’s Digital Hub Initiative is a nationwide program launched by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany to connect startups, corporates, SMEs, research institutions, and investors within specialized innovation ecosystems (“Digital Hubs”). As Leipzig is home to the Smart Infrastructure Hub, one of Germany’s official Digital Hubs, startups joining SpinLab benefit from direct access to a strong national network.
In addition, through our connection to EDIH Saxony (European Digital Innovation Hub Saxony), startups gain access to a European initiative co-funded by the EU that supports companies, particularly SMEs and public sector organizationsin their digital transformation. Through EDIH Saxony, we also initiate and facilitate funded projects, enabling startups to participate in subsidized innovation and collaboration formats.
SpinLab has established itself as one of Europe’s leading startup hubs. Our work has been recognized through several awards. SpinLab has received for example the Startup Ecosystem Award by the OECD and the European Commission and was named “Best Accelerator” at the Global Startup Awards, underlining the quality of our program and the success of our startups. Furthermore, we are regularly ranked among the top startup hubs and accelerators in Europe by the Financial Times & Statista Leading Startup Hub Ranking, reflecting our continuous performance and strong reputation within the European innovation landscape.
You may have already raised your first round of funding for your startup, but as you know, after one round comes the next. We regularly organize exclusive matchmaking formats, such as curated investor dinners, as well as our annual flagship event, Investor Day, which brings hundreds of investors and corporate partners to Leipzig. These formats create highly targeted opportunities for startups to connect with relevant decision-makers and secure their next funding round. In addition, we a strong network for public funding and grants at the European level (e.g., EIC Accelerator, Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe projects, and EIT), as well as at national, regional, and city levels.
Our mentors and coaches are experienced founders. No buzzwords, no “consulting talk,” but real, hands-on experience. They have built companies from zero to hundreds of employees, achieved successful exits and led IPOs. Startups in the program benefit from targeted coaching, mentorship, and strategic guidance from proven operators and subject-matter experts. They provide practical support tailored to each stage of your company’s development.
Startups and corporates operate with different cultures, decision-making processes, and expectations. While startups move fast and iterate quickly, corporates often follow structured procedures and longer timelines. We actively drive and manage collaboration projects between startups and established companies. We act as a neutral moderator, aligning expectations, structuring cooperation formats, and ensuring measurable outcomes for both sides. Our venture clienting experts identify the right corporate partners for your solution, initiate concrete collaboration projects, and guide the process from first introduction to pilot and, ideally, to a paying customer relationship. Check out this venture clienting best practice. Also we organize diffrent challenge formats together with partner companies. These structured innovation challenges are designed to match specific corporate needs with suitable solutions.
As your startup reaches a more mature stage and you build a strong team, investing in employee development becomes a key success factor. High performance requires not only talent, but continuous learning and professional development. However, we often see that startups lack the budget for structured training programs. With our digital learning platform, your team gains access to hundreds of curated training videos and e-books covering various topics such as financing, marketing, internationalization, sales, leadership, IT, and HR. This enables your employees to continuously expand their knowledge and skills in a flexible and cost-efficient way.
SpinLab supports founders by providing high-quality infrastructure, including free access to office space and the option to establish a sales presence in Leipzig. Moreover, our exclusive technology partnerships (e.g., Google Cloud, HubSpot, and other leading providers) give startups access to tools and special conditions. To further reduce financial barriers, startups receive €6000 during the program to cover travel expenses to Leipzig. As the program follows a hybrid structure, relocation is not mandatory. Of course the acceleration program is free of charge.
We consistently receive the positive feedback on how impactful the exchange between the startups themselves is. Being surrounded by other founders who are currently building and scaling their companies creates a a honest learning environment. With more than 200 teams in our alumni network, the connections extend far beyond the six-month program. Many founders continue to support each other long after graduation and in some cases, startups even collaborate commercially.
Have we convinced you that SpinLab is also the right fit for established startups? If you are ready to take the next strategic step in your growth journey, we encourage you to apply and become part of our network. Make sure to follow our social media channels to not miss any upcoming application deadlines.