Start2 Group

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

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

• Innovation consulting
• Startup acceleration
• Corporate venture clienting
• Open innovation programs
• Market entry internationalization

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaufering

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• GlassDollarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026GlassDollar 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025Start2 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Start2 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Start2 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 SingaporeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart2 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart2 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart2 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 SuzukicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart2 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPRIND 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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIIC partners with Start2 Group to facilitate Indian market entry for startups through programs like Start2explore India with Maruti Suzuki.
• 28 DigitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCashwalk 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)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCashwalk 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

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Start2-Group/100094439824742
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/start2group
• Instagraminstagram.com/start2.group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Start2 Group