Futury
Futury is a Frankfurt-based innovation platform and startup ecosystem orchestrator that runs industry-driven accelerator programs (THE MISSION) across Food, Waste, Construction, and Cyber Security, connecting 130+ corporate partners, 2,000+ startups, four universities, and 80M EUR in PPP-financed venture capital, now operating as a subsidiary of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersFrankfurt, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Futury does
Futury GmbH is a Frankfurt-based innovation platform (founded 2015, ~20 core employees) that operates Europe's most industry-driven startup ecosystem in the Rhein-Main region, connecting 130+ industrial partners, 2,000+ startups, and 100,000+ talents across four core verticals: Food, Waste/Packaging, Construction, and Cyber Security. Its product surface is built around five pillars: INNOVATE (talent-to-research pipeline), CREATE (startup-to-corporate matching anchored by THE MISSION industry-driven accelerator programs), SCALE (capital and growth support including VC-Match and ScaleGrowConnect), STARTUP SPACE (a 2,000+ m² coworking and event facility at Bertramshof opened in September 2025 with an AI/Quantum Computing Lab), and PLATFORM (the 24/7 NE(X)TWORK community platform). Underlying technology is primarily ecosystem orchestration infrastructure — Hivebrite for community management, Salesforce for tenant/user management, Typeform for intake, plus web analytics — rather than proprietary AI/ML or platform SaaS.
Futury's business model layers four revenue streams: (1) corporate partnership fees from 130+ industrial partners (Nestlé, P&G, Siemens Energy, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, McDonald's, Metro, Deutsche Börse, and others) who pay for access to startup-sourced innovation through structured programs; (2) coworking, private office, and event space rentals at the new Startup Space; (3) management fees and carried interest from Futury Capital's PPP-financed VC funds totaling 80M EUR AUM (including Futury Fonds III, investing Pre-Seed to Series A); and (4) non-dilutive federal funding of up to 10M EUR over five years via the EXIST-Leuchtturmwettbewerb Startup Factories designation. Pricing for most services is not publicly disclosed; THE MISSION programs are typically free for startups as corporate partners subsidize costs. Since January 2024, Futury has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management gGmbH following its acquisition from the Werte-Stiftung. The company also controls FUTURE Institute for Sustainable Transformation (founded 2022 at COP26) as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Futury firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Futury
- Legal name
- Futury GmbH
- Website
- https://futury.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Futury is a Frankfurt-based innovation platform and startup ecosystem orchestrator that runs industry-driven accelerator programs (THE MISSION) across Food, Waste, Construction, and Cyber Security, connecting 130+ corporate partners, 2,000+ startups, four universities, and 80M EUR in PPP-financed venture capital, now operating as a subsidiary of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Futury industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Ecosystem and Innovation Platform
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Technical Universities with Entrepreneurship & Incubation Focus (EDAHAEAH)
Keywords
Where Futury is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frankfurt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Futury business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Corporate Partnership Fees: Revenue from 130+ industrial partners who pay to access the startup ecosystem and participate in innovation programs
- Startup Space Rentals: Co-working spaces, private offices, and event space rentals at the Bertramshof location
- Futury Capital VC Funds: Venture capital funds (Fonds III and predecessor funds) managing 80 Mio EUR that invest in startups, generating carried interest and management fees
- Federal Funding: EXIST-Leuchtturmwettbewerb funding of up to 10 million euros from German federal government over 5 years
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Coworking - Flex Desk |
| Subscription | Monthly | Coworking - Fix Desk |
| Subscription | Monthly | Private Offices |
| Other | Other | Event Spaces |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Futury product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Futury operates an innovation platform that connects startups, industrial partners, universities, and investors through structured programs such as THE MISSION (Food, Waste, Construction, Cyber Security). It runs co-working and event facilities at the Startup Space (Bertramshof, Frankfurt), manages PPP-financed VC funds via Futury Capital, and provides a digital networking platform (NE(X)TWORK) to support founders from ideation through scaling.
Product overview
Futury is a multi-offering innovation platform that operates as a startup ecosystem with five core pillars: INNOVATE (connecting talents and research), CREATE (connecting startups with industry partners), SCALE (providing capital and growth support), STARTUP SPACE (physical coworking and office facilities), and PLATFORM/NE(X)TWORK (networking and community platform). The ecosystem is anchored by THE MISSION accelerator programs in Food, Waste, Construction, and Cyber Security, which connect startups directly with industrial partners to solve real business challenges. Futury Capital manages venture capital funds including Futury Fonds III, while the FUTURE Institute for Sustainable Transformation provides sustainability-focused consulting. Events like FuturePack and Build Days round out the portfolio. The platform is supported by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management as parent organization since 2024.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- THE MISSION: Industry-driven innovation programs that connect startups with corporate partners across sectors like Food, Waste/Packaging, Construction, and Cyber Security.
- Futury Capital
- Futury Startup Space
- NE(X)TWORK
- Future Factory
Products and services
- THE MISSION Industry-driven accelerator programs (Food, Waste, Construction, Cyber Security) that connect startups with corporate partners to solve real business challenges and create pilot collaborations.
- NE(X)TWORK
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ startup-industry collaborations started through THE MISSION programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Futury
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Futury technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
Futury partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
50 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ATHENE (Nationales Forschungszentrum für angewandte Cybersicherheit)corePartnership between Europe's largest cybersecurity research center and Futury to accelerate research-based cybersecurity startups. Three focus areas: joint accelerator programs, systematic pipeline building for founding teams, and strengthening the Rhein-Main region. ATHENE brings research expertise and Digital Hub Cybersecurity with 200+ startups; Futury provides 100+ corporate partners and 2,000+ startups.
- La French Tech FrankfurtcoreStrategic cooperation through MoU to create a German-French platform for startups, investors, and innovation actors. Futury provides physical space (fixed location in Startup Space) and network access; La French Tech brings French ecosystem connections. Includes joint appearances at VivaTech Paris and ongoing matchmaking programs.
- Frankfurt School of Finance & ManagementcoreFrankfurt School acquired Futury in January 2024, creating the largest startup and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Frankfurt Rhein Main region. Futury remains as own company with own brand. Synergies across research, teaching, and executive education with focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship.
- Bain & CompanycoreStrategic partner since 2019, providing coaching and mentorship to startups. Supports ecosystem development in Rhein-Main region with over 100 partner companies connected to Futury.
- Procter & GamblecoreCorporate partner participating in THE MISSION programs, providing real business challenges for startups to solve. Active in sustainable packaging and waste innovation initiatives.
- NestlécoreCorporate partner working with startups through THE MISSION programs. Example collaboration with circolution GmbH on product protection and production preparation.
- McDonald's GermanycoreCorporate partner in THE MISSION Waste program, focused on packaging and waste innovation in the food service sector.
- MetrocoreCorporate partner in food/foodservice innovation, participating in THE MISSION Food and startup pitch programs.
- Siemens EnergycoreCorporate partner in THE MISSION Cyber Security program, working with cybersecurity startups to address industrial challenges.
- CommerzbankcoreCorporate partner supporting innovation and startup ecosystem development in the Rhein-Main region.
- Deutsche BankcoreCorporate partner collaborating on joint programs to strengthen innovation and founding culture in the region.
- Deutsche BörsecoreCorporate partner supporting the innovation ecosystem and startup development.
- PwC GermanycoreProfessional services partner providing expertise and support to startups in the ecosystem.
- WISAGcoreCorporate partner in food innovation, running Product Innovation Challenge with Futury. Three startups from the challenge are now in WISAG's product assortment.
- Helaba (Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen)coreStrategic partnership to promote the innovation location Rhein-Main, supporting startup ecosystem development.
- TechemcoreStrategic partnership focused on innovation and sustainability in the Rhein-Main region.
- Infraserv HöchstcoreFive-year partnership for more innovation and startups in the Rhein-Main region, focusing on industrial innovation.
- Goethe-Universität FrankfurtcoreUniversity partner in the Future Factory alliance, supporting science-based spin-offs and entrepreneurship education.
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU)coreUniversity partner extending cooperation to European university alliance FORTHEM. Supports entrepreneurship and startup promotion.
- TU DarmstadtcoreUniversity partner through HIGHEST transfer center, part of Future Factory alliance for science-based startups.
- d-finecoreEuropean consulting firm partnership to promote innovative concepts in the Rhein-Main region.
- Healthcare ShaperscoreNew partnership to promote Health startups and strengthen the health and innovation location Germany from Rhein-Main region. Includes new Sounding Board format with 60 industry experts.
- hessian.AIcoreStrategic partnership with Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence to provide seamless pathway for AI startups from research to market.
- Companion DcoreJoint support for startups in scaling technology-driven business models.
- GARBEcoreFunding program for science-related innovations with nationwide open call for students, doctoral candidates, and postdocs.
- LOVEDIScoreStrategic alliance for 'The Mission Construction' 2026 program.
- PROXIDRUGS (Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt)coreStrategic cooperation to promote bioscience startups through the Zukunftscluster PROXIDRUGS.
- FERI AGcorePartnership focusing on sustainable future design and innovation promotion, combining responsibility with innovation.
- MerzcoreInvestment in the future through cooperation to strengthen the Life Science & Healthcare startup ecosystem.
- MAINGAUcoreEnergy and tech company partnership with Futury for innovation in the energy sector.
- Condor (Versicherungen)minorCorporate partner in the ecosystem supporting innovation initiatives.
- DZ BankminorBanking partner in the ecosystem.
- Dussmann GroupcoreCorporate partner in THE MISSION Cyber Security, contributing to cybersecurity innovation.
- EntegaminorEnergy company partner supporting sustainability and innovation.
- GoldbeckminorConstruction and real estate company partner.
- MainovaminorEnergy provider partner in the region.
- MerckminorScience and technology company partner.
- MetzlerminorBanking partner in the ecosystem.
- Montan Stiftung SaarcoreFoundation partner in THE MISSION Cyber Security program.
- SchaefflerminorIndustrial technology partner.
- ViegaminorIndustrial partner in the ecosystem.
- KronesminorPackaging technology partner in FuturePack initiative.
- MondiminorPackaging partner in FuturePack sustainable packaging summit.
- Bünting GruppeminorFood/retail partner in ecosystem.
- Thales DeutschlandcoreSecurity technology partner in THE MISSION Cyber Security program.
- SHS-Stahl-Holding-SaarcoreSteel holding partner in THE MISSION Cyber Security program.
- TransgourmetminorFoodservice wholesale partner.
- EIT FoodcoreEuropean Institute of Innovation and Technology partner for FuturePack sustainable packaging summit.
- FACHPACKcoreEuropean trade fair partnership for FuturePack Summit at Messe Nürnberg.
- STATION FrankfurtRheinMaincoreJoint hosting of Female Founders Contest Hessen semifinal, first co-organization of this event.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Futury competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UnternehmerTUM: Munich-based innovation platform and one of Germany's 10 EXIST Startup Factories. Operates a near-identical model (corporate-startup programs, VC funds, coworking, university ties to TU Munich), making it the closest comparable and most direct national competitor for federal funding, corporates and startups.
- TechQuartier: Frankfurt-based fintech and innovation platform founded by major banks and corporates. Operates the same Rhein-Main corporate-startup community play and directly overlaps with Futury's geography, audience (founders, corporates, investors) and programming, including events and venture services.
- STATION FrankfurtRheinMain: Frankfurt-Rhein-Main startup community hub that already co-hosts the Female Founders Contest Hessen with Futury. Targets the same founders, corporates and ecosystem events in the same region, making it the closest local peer despite the existing partnership.
- Factory Berlin: Berlin-based startup campus and corporate innovation platform combining coworking, corporate-startup programs and a member community. Closely comparable in operating model (physical campus + programs + corporate partnerships), with comparable positioning as Germany's industry-driven ecosystem outside Munich.
- Science4Life: Germany's leading startup accelerator focused on life sciences and chemistry, with a structured academy-conception-market program analogous to Futury's INNOVATE/CREATE/SCALE pathway. Comparable in audience (research-spin-off founders) and program-based GTM.
- Hamburg Innovation: Innovation platform connecting Hamburg's universities, startups and corporates. Same industry-driven ecosystem structure (university alliance + corporate programs + spin-off support) and one of the German players comparable in scope and federal-network positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: Global accelerator operating sector-specific programs and corporate partnerships worldwide. Comparable in accelerator mechanics and corporate-startup matching (especially via THE MISSION verticals), but at vastly larger global scale and as a US-headquartered incumbent.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global corporate-startup accelerator and venture investor running industry-specific programs (food, fintech, cyber, etc.) that closely mirror THE MISSION verticals. Operates as a broad incumbent with the same corporate-startup matching and venture-services business model.
Regional players
- Station F: Paris-based world's largest startup campus combining coworking, programs and corporate partners. Highly comparable in physical-plus-program-plus-corporate model, and now directly connected to Futury via the La French Tech Frankfurt partnership, making it a cross-border peer rather than a direct German competitor.
Others
- European Innovation Council (EIC): EU-level innovation funding and accelerator ecosystem operator. Not a direct competitor but adjacent: corporates and startups in Futury's network overlap with EIC applicants, and EIC's program structure is a comparable reference point for scale-up funding pathways.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Futury social profiles
Digital presenceFutury compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Futury financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Futury leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Futury subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Futury funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Futury 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 Futury
What does Futury do?
Futury operates an innovation platform that connects startups, industrial partners, universities, and investors through structured programs such as THE MISSION (Food, Waste, Construction, Cyber Security). It runs co-working and event facilities at the Startup Space (Bertramshof, Frankfurt), manages PPP-financed VC funds via Futury Capital, and provides a digital networking platform (NE(X)TWORK) to support founders from ideation through scaling.
Is Futury a public or private company?
Futury is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Futury founded?
Futury was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Futury based?
Futury is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Futury make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Corporate Partnership Fees are the primary driver. The others are startup Space Rentals, futury Capital VC Funds and federal Funding.
Who are Futury's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UnternehmerTUM, TechQuartier, STATION FrankfurtRheinMain, Factory Berlin, Science4Life and Hamburg Innovation. Broad incumbents are Techstars and Plug and Play Tech Center. Station F is listed as a regional player. European Innovation Council (EIC) is listed as an others.
Does Futury have an API?
No public API is recorded for Futury.
What industry is Futury in?
Futury's product category is Startup Ecosystem and Innovation Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of EDAMAHAC, Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.