STARTUP TEENS
German non-profit founded in 2015 that delivers free entrepreneurship, coding, and future-skills education to teenagers aged 14-19 through a six-module platform of videos, mentoring, events, competitions, talent matching, and prototyping, funded by corporate sponsors and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersHamm, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What STARTUP TEENS does
STARTUP TEENS is a German non-profit initiative founded in 2015 to provide free entrepreneurship, coding, robotics, and future-skills education to teenagers aged 14-19. It operates under two legal entities headquartered in Hamm, Germany: STARTUP TEENS GmbH (the operating company) and STARTUP TEENS Netzwerk e.V. (the non-profit association). The organization delivers a six-module program consisting of Videos (an on-demand educational library powered by edtech partner simpleclub), Mentoring (a network of more than 1,200 volunteer mentors covering 10 topic fields), Events (offline idea camps and YouTube live sessions), the Challenge (Germany's highest-endowed business plan competition for school students, awarding 7 x EUR 10,000 at the national level plus regional competitions in Bavaria and Westphalia), Talents (a career networking and reverse-mentoring channel) and Prototyping (MVP development support). Gen Talents operates as a wholly-owned social-business subsidiary focused on Gen Z high-potential matching for corporate clients.
The organization is financed entirely through sponsorships and donations from more than 1,000 supporting entrepreneurs and a roster of premium corporate partners including Axel Springer, Tengelmann, Commerzbank, Armira, Lobbe, and Kirchhoff Group, with all programs provided free of charge to participants. Its go-to-market is community-led, targeting students through YouTube (the first European channel combining entrepreneurship and coding for school students), social media, school and teacher networks, and offline events. The GFW Challenge competitions, the 27 Talents Award (run with Gründerszene), and the Role Model Award (since 2020) provide programmatic visibility, while the Impact Partner Network and government co-sponsorships (Bavarian State Ministry, EU) support regional scaling into new geographies such as Sauerland.
STARTUP TEENS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STARTUP TEENS
- Legal name
- STARTUP TEENS GmbH
- Website
- https://startupteens.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- German non-profit founded in 2015 that delivers free entrepreneurship, coding, and future-skills education to teenagers aged 14-19 through a six-module platform of videos, mentoring, events, competitions, talent matching, and prototyping, funded by corporate sponsors and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STARTUP TEENS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Entrepreneurship Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)
Keywords
Where STARTUP TEENS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamm
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
STARTUP TEENS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Sponsorship and Donations: STARTUP TEENS is a non-profit organization financed entirely through sponsors and donors. All programs are free for students. Revenue is reinvested to enable more young people to develop entrepreneurial capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free access to all modules |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
STARTUP TEENS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STARTUP TEENS is a non-profit organization that provides free entrepreneurship education to German teenagers aged 14–19 through six integrated modules: educational videos, 1:1 mentoring with industry volunteers, in-person and online events, national and regional business plan competitions (Challenge) with €70,000 in annual prize money, a career networking platform (Gen Talents), and prototyping support for idea development. All programs are offered at no cost to students, with operations funded entirely by corporate sponsors and donors.
Product overview
STARTUP TEENS is a non-profit initiative founded in summer 2015 that operates as a multi-module educational platform for entrepreneurship and innovation skills. The core offering consists of six interconnected modules: Videos (educational content powered by simpleclub), Mentoring (1,200+ volunteer mentors), Events/Live (on and offline events), Challenge (national and regional business plan competitions with prize money totaling 70,000 EUR), Talents/Gen Talents (career networking), and Prototyping (MVP development support). All services are free for students aged 14-19. The platform is supplemented by award programs including the Role Model Award and 27 Talents Award.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gen Talents: A social business under the STARTUP TEENS umbrella that connects companies with Gen Z talent through interactive consulting formats.
Products and services
- Nationale Challenge National business plan competition for German students aged 14–19, offering 7 x €10,000 in prize money across seven categories with a grand finale in Berlin. Germany's highest-funded business plan competition for school students.
- Bayern-Challenge Regional business plan competition for students aged 14–19 attending schools in Bavaria, offering prizes totaling €10,000 (€5,000 + €3,000 + €2,000) with a final event in Munich. Co-sponsored with Gründerland Bayern and the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft.
- Westfalen-Challenge Regional business plan competition for students aged 14–19 attending schools in Westphalia, offering prizes totaling €10,000. Supported by Stiftung Westfalen.
- Videos
- Mentoring Free mentorship program connecting students aged 14–19 with more than 1,200 volunteer mentors from Germany's startup scene, SMEs, industry, trade associations, IHKs, and universities, covering 10 topic fields to help develop business ideas.
- Events / Live Offline events (idea camps, in-person meetups with founders and intrapreneurs across Germany) and online livestream sessions on YouTube covering entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and future skills. Free for participants.
- Gen Talents Career networking and high-potential matching platform operating as a second social business under the STARTUP TEENS umbrella. Connects companies with entrepreneurial-minded Gen Z talent for internships, apprenticeships, and dual study positions using the GenZ-Talents methodology. All revenues are reinvested into STARTUP TEENS.
- Prototyping Support service that helps students develop their ideas into minimum viable products (MVPs) by networking them with knowledge transfer partners and investor connections. Free for participating students.
- ZündBox Teaching materials kit (Lehrmittelkoffer) developed as part of the EU-funded Startup Sauerland project to teach entrepreneurial mindset in the classroom.
Quantifiable outcome
- Germany ranks 36th of 54 nations in entrepreneurial education in schools per the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use STARTUP TEENS
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
STARTUP TEENS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
STARTUP TEENS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Axel SpringercorePremium partner supporting STARTUP TEENS' mission to foster youth entrepreneurship in Germany.
- TengelmanncorePremium partner supporting STARTUP TEENS. Named as one of the founding/anchor partners.
- CommerzbankcorePremium partner providing financial and strategic support to STARTUP TEENS programs.
- ArmiracorePremium partner of STARTUP TEENS, contributing to the organization's funding and strategic direction.
- LobbecorePremium partner supporting STARTUP TEENS initiatives, including the Westfalen Challenge.
- Kirchhoff GroupcorePremium partner of STARTUP TEENS.
- Flix SE (FlixBus)coreBusiness partner providing free transportation (FlixBus and FlixTrain) for Challenge finalists to Berlin for the national final.
- Philipp Lahm HoldingcoreBusiness partner; Philipp Lahm is featured prominently as a supporter of the '1,000 Entrepreneurs for STARTUP TEENS' initiative.
- Kienbaum ConsultingcoreBusiness partner providing consulting expertise to STARTUP TEENS.
- Feldhoff & Cie.coreBusiness partner of STARTUP TEENS.
- GWFcoreBusiness partner supporting STARTUP TEENS.
- Philipp LahmflagshipProminent supporter featured in the '1,000 Entrepreneurs for STARTUP TEENS' initiative. Former German national football captain and entrepreneur.
- Verena PausderflagshipStartup founder, bestselling author, and board member for Digital Education for All, featured as a key supporter in the 1,000 Entrepreneurs initiative.
- simpleclub GmbHflagshipProvides educational video content for the platform. simpleclub is the educational tech company powering STARTUP TEENS' video library. Founders Alex Giesecke and Nico Schork are shareholders of STARTUP TEENS.
- Stiftung WestfalencoreSupporter of the Westphalia Challenge, contributing to regional entrepreneurship education in Westphalia.
- Gen TalentscoreSecond social business under the STARTUP TEENS umbrella, operating as a career matching platform that places high-potential Gen Z talent with companies. All revenues are reinvested into STARTUP TEENS.
- 1,000 Entrepreneurs NetworkflagshipNetwork of more than 1,000 entrepreneurs supporting STARTUP TEENS, including high-profile figures such as Philipp Lahm, Verena Pausder, Daniel Krauss (FlixBus), Florian Heinemann (Project A), and many others. Each entrepreneur contributes to mentoring and program support.
- Gründerland BayerncoreCo-sponsor of the Bayern Challenge, supporting entrepreneurial education in Bavaria.
- Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und EnergiecoreBavarian State Ministry supporting the Bayern Challenge as a key partner.
- Impact Partner NetworkcoreExtensive network of regional impact partners including AREAL DIGITAL, Augsburg Gründer!, Bryck Startup Alliance, Code University of Applied Sciences, Founders Foundation, Munich Startup, ZOLLHOF, and many others across Germany, promoting regional entrepreneurship.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
STARTUP TEENS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Stifterverband: German non-profit association representing foundations and corporate donors in education, science, and innovation; comparable as a sector-relevant funder/ecosystem actor influencing the same funding and policy environment.
- simpleclub: German ed-tech platform powering STARTUP TEENS' video library; comparable as a youth-focused, video-based digital learning provider, though with a broader STEM/K-12 curriculum scope.
Regional players
- Teach First Deutschland: German non-profit placing top graduates into under-resourced schools; comparable as a high-profile German education non-profit working to close opportunity gaps for young people through multi-stakeholder partnerships.
- Bundeswettbewerb Wirtschaft (Federal Economics Competition): Germany-wide economics competition for students; comparable as a national-level, business-education competition and recognition platform for German secondary school students.
- Bayerische Startup Szene / Gründerland Bayern: Bavarian state-backed initiative promoting entrepreneurship; directly comparable as a regional partner backing STARTUP TEENS' Bayern-Challenge and addressing the same regional entrepreneurship gap.
Direct peers
- NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship): International non-profit teaching entrepreneurship to young people from low-income communities, with active German operations; comparable in target audience (teenagers) and methodology (mentor-led, business plan competition-based).
- Enactus Germany: Student-led social entrepreneurship organisation active in German universities and increasingly in schools; shares STARTUP TEENS' mission of building entrepreneurial mindset in young people via project-based and competition formats.
- Jugend gründet: Germany-wide student business plan competition run by the Carl Bertelsmann Prize foundation; closely comparable in target audience, competition format, and prize-based engagement model.
- Junior Achievement (JA) Germany: Global non-profit running school-based entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work-readiness programs; directly comparable to STARTUP TEENS as a youth entrepreneurship education provider targeting the same 14-19 German student demographic.
Broad incumbents
- EXIST (BMWK Founder Programme): German federal ministry programme supporting startups at universities; comparable as a national German public initiative targeting the same eventual outcome (entrepreneurship) though focused on older university students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
STARTUP TEENS social profiles
Digital presenceSTARTUP TEENS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STARTUP TEENS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
STARTUP TEENS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
STARTUP TEENS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
STARTUP TEENS 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 STARTUP TEENS
What does STARTUP TEENS do?
STARTUP TEENS is a non-profit organization that provides free entrepreneurship education to German teenagers aged 14–19 through six integrated modules: educational videos, 1:1 mentoring with industry volunteers, in-person and online events, national and regional business plan competitions (Challenge) with €70,000 in annual prize money, a career networking platform (Gen Talents), and prototyping support for idea development. All programs are offered at no cost to students, with operations funded entirely by corporate sponsors and donors.
Is STARTUP TEENS a public or private company?
STARTUP TEENS is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was STARTUP TEENS founded?
STARTUP TEENS was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is STARTUP TEENS based?
STARTUP TEENS is headquartered in Hamm, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does STARTUP TEENS make money?
One revenue line is on record: sponsorship and Donations.
Who are STARTUP TEENS's main competitors?
Others on record are Stifterverband and simpleclub. Regional players are Teach First Deutschland, Bundeswettbewerb Wirtschaft (Federal Economics Competition) and Bayerische Startup Szene / Gründerland Bayern. Direct peers are NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), Enactus Germany, Jugend gründet and Junior Achievement (JA) Germany. EXIST (BMWK Founder Programme) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does STARTUP TEENS have an API?
No public API is recorded for STARTUP TEENS.
What industry is STARTUP TEENS in?
STARTUP TEENS's product category is Youth Entrepreneurship Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAHAC, Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators, with a secondary code of EDAMAHAA, Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.