Start2 Group
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersKaufering, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Start2 Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Start2 Group
- Legal name
- Start2 Group GmbH
- Website
- https://start2.group
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Start2 Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Consulting & Startup Acceleration Services
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)
Keywords
Where Start2 Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kaufering
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices15 records
Markets served
Start2 Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consulting and Implementation Services: Start2 Group provides consulting services to corporates and governments seeking to develop innovation programs, scout startups, and build corporate-startup partnerships. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements and retainer contracts.
- Acceleration and Incubation Programs: The company operates structured programs (e.g., Enterprise Singapore Access Program at S$18,200 + GST, Demand Driven Innovation at SGD 8,000 per problem statement) that generate revenue from corporate and government clients seeking startup access and market entry support.
- Venture Clienting Services: Through partnerships like GlassDollar and direct corporate engagements, Start2 Group helps companies find, evaluate, and integrate startup solutions, generating fees for end-to-end service delivery.
- Program Operations for Government Initiatives: Start2 Group operates government-funded initiatives such as STRIDE Ventures (NSF-funded) and BARDA's antiviral prize competition, receiving operational funding to run multi-stage innovation challenges.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Enterprise Singapore Access Program - 16-week market entry program for Singapore startups entering Germany |
| Subscription | One time | Demand Driven Innovation - Government-backed open innovation program connecting Singapore startups with corporates |
| Freemium | One time | Cashwalk - Pan-European deep tech fundraising format |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Start2 Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Start2 Group operates and delivers a global portfolio of branded startup acceleration, corporate innovation, and public sector innovation programs that connect startups with large corporates and governments across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Services include market-entry internationalization gateways, demand-driven innovation matching, venture clienting, and program design for clients such as BMWE, Enterprise Singapore, EDB, NSF TIP, BARDA, Maruti Suzuki, and DAX companies.
Product overview
Start2 Group operates as a global startup and innovation ecosystem enabler, running a portfolio of distinct branded programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offering consists of acceleration programs (German Accelerator, Start2 Asia Accelerator, Gateway Factory), internationalization gateways (Start2GoGlobal, Enterprise Singapore Access Program, Start2explore India), corporate innovation services (Singapore EDB Corporate Venture Launchpad, Enterprise Singapore Demand Driven Innovation, Venture Clienting), and specialized vertical programs (STRIDE Ventures for U.S. tech translation, VITAL for life sciences, Cashwalk for deep-tech fundraising). These programs connect startups with corporates and public sector organizations across Europe, Americas, Asia, and emerging markets, facilitating market access, pilot opportunities, investment, and strategic partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- German Accelerator Flagship global acceleration program that helps German startups scale into leading international innovation hubs. Funded by BMWE and ranked among the top 15 startup programs globally by CB Insights.
- VITAL Accelerator program that accelerates the next-generation of therapeutic platforms and technologies, supporting innovations in life sciences and healthcare.
- STRIDE Ventures U.S.-based initiative operated by Start2 Group that supports milestone-driven efforts to translate emerging technologies into real-world capabilities advancing U.S. competitiveness and resilience. Operates multi-stage challenges including the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge for critical metal recovery.
- Start2 Asia Accelerator Program for Japanese startups to test, validate, and expand their business across Asia's growth markets (China, South Korea, India, Singapore). Part of the Tokyo SUTEAM program funded by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, offering travel subsidies of up to JPY 220,000 per startup.
- Start2GoGlobal Gateway program for global growth that prepares startups to explore, engage, and expand in new markets. Offers three pathways: Basic (virtual market exploration), Lite (workshops and conference access), and Standard (full immersion with expert dinners and 1:1 strategic guidance).
- Enterprise Singapore Access Program 16-week market entry program providing Singaporean startups a guided path to enter and scale in the German market, combining local expertise with hands-on execution, go-to-market strategy development, and investor/customer introductions. Priced at S$18,200 + 9% GST per company after 70% subsidy from Enterprise Singapore.
- Enterprise Singapore Demand Driven Innovation Government-backed open innovation program connecting German corporates with Singapore startups. Uses a structured demand-driven methodology to define corporate challenges, scout qualified startups, and facilitate introductions at SGD 8,000 per problem statement.
- Singapore EDB Corporate Venture Launchpad 3.0 Singapore Economic Development Board program empowering corporate innovation through venture creation and startup partnerships. Start2 Group serves as Open Innovation Partner, helping corporates co-create or adopt cutting-edge products and business models with startups.
- Start2explore: India's Mobility Future Program partnering with Maruti Suzuki to drive innovation in India's automotive market. Jointly run with the German Indian Innovation Corridor (GIIC), offering startups a pathway to develop strategic cooperations with Maruti Suzuki. 20 startups have been successfully onboarded.
- Cashwalk Pan-European fundraising platform featuring anti-pitch roundtables and curated fishbowl discussions. Co-hosted with 28 Digital, focused on Cybersecurity, AI & Autonomous Intelligence, Computing & Secure Infrastructure, and Dual-Use & Critical Systems verticals.
- Gateway Factory: Ready to Scale Deep-tech scale-up program launched by the Gateway Factory joint venture (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, RWTH Aachen University, and Start2 Group). Receives up to EUR 10 million in government funding plus approximately EUR 10 million in private funding.
- Venture Clienting Services Data-driven startup identification combined with consulting and operational implementation expertise, enabling companies to find, evaluate, and integrate suitable startup solutions through an end-to-end service model. Offered in strategic partnership with GlassDollar.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2x faster innovation cycles for Meraxis through AI-powered R&D transformation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Start2 Group
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Start2 Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Start2 Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- GlassDollarcoreGlassDollar and Start2 Group entered into a strategic partnership to scale venture clienting services worldwide. GlassDollar brings its technology platform for data-driven startup identification; Start2 Group contributes consulting and operational implementation expertise from over 500 innovation projects for DAX companies, SMEs, and hidden champions across five continents and 18 markets. The partnership aims to help companies find, evaluate, and integrate suitable startup solutions through an end-to-end service model.
- U.S. National Science Foundation - Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP)flagshipStart2 Group operates STRIDE Ventures, a new NSF TIP initiative to advance innovations reinforcing U.S. technological leadership and economic security. The first program is the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge, a multi-year three-stage program to strengthen U.S. supply chains for critical and strategic metals. Co-designed with Germany's SPRIND agency, running in parallel to Germany's Tech Metal Challenge.
- BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority)flagshipStart2 Group announced partnership with BARDA (part of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) to launch a $100 million antiviral prize competition aimed at developing broad-spectrum antivirals. The multi-year, tiered competition focuses on enabling innovative drug discovery to address viral pathogens like dengue and West Nile virus, expected to start in early 2026.
- Gateway Factory (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University of Cologne, RWTH Aachen University)flagshipStart2 Group partnered in the Gateway Factory joint venture, a lighthouse competition winner receiving up to €10 million in government funding over five years. The initiative supports DeepTech startups in health and life sciences, sustainable infrastructure, and future computing. Also secured approximately €10 million in private funding from regional companies, venture capital providers, and private investors.
- Enterprise SingaporeflagshipStart2 Group powers the Demand Driven Innovation (DDI) program, a government-backed open innovation initiative connecting Singapore startups with global corporate demand. Start2 facilitates challenge definition, startup scouting, and introductions between German corporates and Singapore startups, with participation cost of SGD 8,000 per problem statement.
- Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)flagshipStart2 Group appointed as Open Innovation Partner of Singapore EDB's Corporate Venture Launchpad 3.0. The program empowers corporate innovation through venture creation and startup partnerships, designed for forward-thinking corporations ready to harness the power of startups through co-creation or adoption of cutting-edge products, services, and business models.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government (SUTEAM Program)coreStart2 Asia Accelerator is part of Tokyo SUTEAM program funded by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, helping Japanese startups validate business models across Korea, India, and Singapore. Program is free for eligible companies with travel subsidies of up to ¥220,000 per startup.
- Maruti SuzukicoreStart2 Group and German Indian Innovation Corridor (GIIC) partnered to offer Start2explore India program, connecting startups with Maruti Suzuki for mobility innovation. The program enables startups to develop strategic cooperations in India with all costs covered (program, hotel, local transport plus flights up to €1,000) and provides direct access to Maruti Suzuki executives. 20 startups have already been successfully onboarded.
- SPRIND (Germany Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation)flagshipSPRIND co-designed the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge with Start2 Group (operated via STRIDE Ventures), running in parallel to Germany's own Tech Metal Challenge. The cross-border initiative aims to strengthen U.S. and German domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
- German Accelerator (BMWE Funded)flagshipGerman Accelerator helps German startups scale into leading innovation hubs across the globe. Funded by BMWE (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) and run by Start2 Group. Ranked among top 15 startup programs globally by CB Insights.
- German Indian Innovation Corridor (GIIC)coreGIIC partners with Start2 Group to facilitate Indian market entry for startups through programs like Start2explore India with Maruti Suzuki.
- 28 DigitalminorCashwalk is co-hosted by 28 Digital, providing a pan-European platform for deep tech fundraising roundtables.
- Cashwalk Partners (BakerTilly, Bayern Kapital, Coparion, HTGF, Caesar Ventures, Join, Wessel Management)coreCashwalk is supported by European investors and ecosystem partners including BakerTilly, Bayern Kapital, Coparion, HTGF, Caesar Ventures, Join, and Wessel Management. The platform facilitates connections between deep tech startups and investors through curated fishbowl roundtables.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Start2 Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator operating across 25+ locations. Comparable for global residency programs targeting founders from idea to Series A and broad geographic coverage.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global corporate innovation and accelerator platform running industry-specific programs across multiple geographies. Most directly comparable peer given similar multi-region corporate-startup matchmaking model and B2B GTM.
- Techstars: One of the world's largest global accelerator networks with mentorship-driven cohorts. Comparable in accelerator methodology, geographic reach, and corporate partner network.
- MassChallenge: Global nonprofit accelerator network with programs across the U.S., Europe, MENA, and Asia. Comparable for the cohort-based acceleration model and cross-border public-sector partnerships.
- Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator with vertical-specific programs (fintech, health, smart cities) and corporate partners. Comparable in vertical program design and corporate-startup matching.
- Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's corporate venture and accelerator arm operating across multiple markets. Comparable as a corporate-affiliated innovation platform that runs programs globally.
- High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF): Germany's leading seed/early-stage VC, also a Cashwalk partner. Comparable as a German-rooted deep-tech ecosystem enabler with European and global programs.
Broad incumbents
- Baringa Partners: Large management consultancy with a corporate innovation practice. Comparable for advisory work to large corporates on innovation strategy and ecosystem engagement.
Emerging players
- GlassDollar: Corporate venture clienting platform partnered with Start2 Group. Comparable as a data-driven startup identification tool used by corporates for venture clienting workflows.
Others
- SPRIND (Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation): Germany's federal breakthrough innovation agency and STRIDE Ventures co-designer. Adjacent/ecosystem participant that collaborates on tech-metal and grand-challenge programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Start2 Group social profiles
Digital presenceStart2 Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Start2 Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Start2 Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Start2 Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Start2 Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Start2 Group
What does Start2 Group do?
Start2 Group operates and delivers a global portfolio of branded startup acceleration, corporate innovation, and public sector innovation programs that connect startups with large corporates and governments across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Services include market-entry internationalization gateways, demand-driven innovation matching, venture clienting, and program design for clients such as BMWE, Enterprise Singapore, EDB, NSF TIP, BARDA, Maruti Suzuki, and DAX companies.
Is Start2 Group a public or private company?
Start2 Group is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Start2 Group founded?
Start2 Group was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Start2 Group based?
Start2 Group is headquartered in Kaufering, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Start2 Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Consulting and Implementation Services are the primary driver. The others are acceleration and Incubation Programs, venture Clienting Services and program Operations for Government Initiatives.
Who are Start2 Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Antler, Plug and Play Tech Center, Techstars, MassChallenge, Startupbootcamp, Wayra (Telefónica) and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). Baringa Partners is listed as a broad incumbent. GlassDollar is listed as an emerging player. SPRIND (Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation) is listed as an others.
Does Start2 Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Start2 Group.
What industry is Start2 Group in?
Start2 Group's product category is Innovation Consulting & Startup Acceleration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs, with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.