BERLIN STARTUP SCHOOL

What BERLIN STARTUP SCHOOL does

Berlin Startup School is a Berlin-based, non-profit entrepreneurship education organization (legally operated through DGH Deutsche GründerHilfe gGmbH, registered in Berlin Charlottenburg since 2018) that runs cohort-based accelerator and training programs for first-time founders, pre-seed startups, and SMEs. Its core product portfolio includes the 6-month equity-free Startup Accelerator, a 10-Week Bootcamp for first-time founders, the 6-month AI Accelerator, an Impact Accelerator, and individual coaching — supported by a network of 60+ coaches and mentors and a community of 1,200+ newsletter subscribers. Programs are delivered online through a Wix-hosted website with Typeform-based application flows, with optional in-person components at co-working partners The Delta Campus (Neukölln) and Treibende Kraft (Berlin Mitte).

The business model is hybrid: the AI Accelerator generates direct fee revenue (EUR 7,999 net per company at standard pricing, EUR 1,999 for impact companies, with 20 fully funded seats per cohort), while the Startup Accelerator is grant-funded and equity-free, paying founders a EUR 2,200 monthly stipend for up to three team members. The organization is materially underwritten by public subsidies from the Berlin Senate Administration for Economics, ESF Berlin, the EU ESF Plus program, and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWi), supplemented by donations and PayPal/bank-transfer contributions. GTM is community-led and event-driven, with acquisition channels spanning a blog, the Startup Mavericks video podcast, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Meetup, Eventbrite, Google AdWords, and a referral partner network that includes Ironhack, Z2X, Vereinte Talente, and HubSpot for Startups. Strategic positioning targets the Berlin/European startup ecosystem with explicit focus on diversity and inclusion, measurable AI workflow implementation outcomes, and an equity-free, mentor-rich curriculum that distinguishes it from for-profit accelerators.

Name

BERLIN STARTUP SCHOOL

Legal name

DGH Deutsche GründerHilfe gGmbH

Website

https://berlinstartupschool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Berlin Startup School is a Berlin-based non-profit (DGH Deutsche GründerHilfe gGmbH) running equity-free cohort programs — 6-month Startup and AI Accelerators, a 10-Week Bootcamp, and individual coaching — for first-time founders, pre-seed startups, and SMEs, underwritten by ESF/EU/Berlin public funding and a 60+ mentor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator
• Entrepreneurship education
• Founder bootcamp
• AI accelerator program
• Business incubation

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AI Accelerator Program Fees: The AI Accelerator is a 6-month program with a normal program price of EUR 7,999 net. Publicly funded seats (ESF/EU-backed) are available for eligible impact companies at EUR 1,999 net. The first 20 seats per cohort are fully funded for eligible impact companies and organizations. Revenue is generated as a one-time program fee per company cohort admission.
2. Startup Accelerator Program: The 6-month equity-free Startup Accelerator provides a monthly stipend of EUR 2,200 per founder (for up to 3 team members), a EUR 1,000 coaching budget, and co-working space access — funded through public subsidies and grants (Senatsverwaltung Berlin, ESF, EU). The company receives grant funding rather than charging tuition to admitted startups.
3. Individual Coaching Services: Individual and 1:1 coaching sessions are offered as a standalone service. Coaching must be booked more than 48 hours in advance and cancelled at least 24 hours prior. If 1:1 coaching is included in a package, it must be redeemed each week and cannot be accumulated.
4. Donations and Sponsorship: Berlin Startup School operates as a non-profit and accepts single or monthly donations via PayPal and bank transfer (IBAN: DE82 1204 0000 0101 0404 00). Corporate sponsors can contact the organization for sponsorship opportunities to support entrepreneurship education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Berlin Startup School is a non-profit entrepreneurship education organization that delivers structured founder education programs, including a 10-Week Bootcamp, an AI Accelerator, an Impact Accelerator, and individual coaching for first-time and early-stage founders. Programs target pre-seed startups and SME founders with hands-on mentorship from experienced founders, in exchange for program fees or equity-free participation.

Product overview

Berlin Startup School offers a portfolio of startup education and acceleration programs. The core offerings include the 10-Week Bootcamp for first-time founders, the AI Accelerator (a 6-month hands-on AI implementation program), and the Impact Accelerator (an equity-free 6-month program from prototype to investor-readiness). Additional services include Individual Coaching, free community events, the Startup Mavericks podcast, and a Knowledge Hub for AI program participants. The programs are designed to support entrepreneurs from idea stage through company launch and growth, with a focus on practical implementation and community building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AI Accelerator: A 6-month hands-on AI program for startups and SMEs that want to implement AI in real workflows, marketing, operations, and growth. Features expert masterclasses, 1:1 AI consulting, and monthly challenges.
• Impact Accelerator
• Startup Academy

Products and services

• 10-Week Bootcamp Foundational 10-week program for first-time founders covering core entrepreneurship topics, idea validation, and the basics of building a startup. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs evaluating whether to start a company.
• AI Accelerator 6-month AI-focused accelerator program for AI-enabled or AI-curious startups and SME teams, providing structured AI upskilling, applied AI business integration, and mentorship. Priced per company at EUR 7,999 net.
• Impact Accelerator 6-month equity-free accelerator for impact-driven startups, providing structured support, mentorship, and traction-building without taking equity from participating founders.
• Startup Stipend Financial stipend provided to founders participating in Berlin Startup School programs to support them during their engagement.
• Individual Coaching One-on-one coaching sessions with experienced founders and operators tailored to individual founder needs and stage; offered as a standalone service.
• Startup Mavericks Podcast Podcast series featuring founder interviews and entrepreneurship content, distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
• Knowledge Hub Online resource library of free entrepreneurship content, articles, and guides for founders and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Free Events Free events, workshops, and meetups hosted by Berlin Startup School for the founder and aspiring-founder community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 new AI workflows per company on average across the AI Accelerator program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Treibende KraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-working space provider in Berlin Mitte, offering Startup Accelerator participants dedicated workspace. Participants are expected to use the co-working space at least part-time to connect with other program participants.
• The Delta CampusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-working and startup community hub in Berlin Neukölln (Donaustraße 44) serving as the physical base for the AI Accelerator program.
• SRH Hochschule BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education institution where Berlin Startup School originated in 2018 as a student side project of Entrepreneurship students.
• IronhackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal coding bootcamp with Berlin presence. Listed as a partner organization, likely referring potential founders and cross-promoting events.
• Z2X (Zeit)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntrepreneurship and startup event series operated by Die Zeit. Listed as partner for cross-promotion and community referral.
• Vereinte TalenteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBerlin-based talent and recruitment organization. Co-founder Matt Wichmann serves as a strategic advisor to Berlin Startup School.
• Business Angel Club Berlin (BACB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBerlin-based angel investor network. Managing Director Sebastian Schwenke is listed as a coach/mentor. Partnership supports investor connections for program graduates.
• MirominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline whiteboard and collaboration platform. Listed as partner with Startup Program Manager Jaïr Halevi serving as a coach/mentor. Miro provides free or discounted access for program participants.
• HubSpot for StartupsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHubSpot's startup program providing discounted or free marketing/sales tools to qualifying startups. Kaythlin Das, Go-To-Market Partnerships at HubSpot, serves as a coach/mentor.
• Motionlab BerlinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBerlin-based startup hub and co-working space. Listed as a partner organization for community and referral.
• Social Economy BerlinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork supporting social economy enterprises in Berlin. Listed as a partner for cross-referral of impact-driven founders.
• TalentecominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable talent and recruitment platform. Founder Andrea Licata serves as a coach/mentor on sustainability and circular economy topics.
• DueDashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup funding and investment platform. Listed as a partner for connecting startups with funding opportunities.
• Zebras Unite (Co-op)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperative ecosystem for mission-driven startups. Listed as a partner for community building.
• DBmindboxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup support platform associated with Deutsche Bahn. Listed as partner for networking and startup hacks.
• Andersen MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing consultancy. Founder Thomas Andersen serves as a marketing coach/mentor in the Berlin Startup School network.
• Books4MemoriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup/social enterprise. Listed as a partner for cross-promotion.
• Startup-Net Berlin-BrandenburgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional startup network for Berlin and Brandenburg. Listed as partner for ecosystem connectivity.
• Neue WerteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerValues-driven entrepreneurship organization. Listed as a partner for community referrals.
• AddedValminorGTM or Marketing PartnerImpact investment platform. Co-Founder Arnas Bräutigam serves as a Fundraising & VC coach/mentor.
• Amazon SmileminorOthersAmazon's charitable giving program through which supporters can direct a percentage of purchases to Berlin Startup School as a non-profit.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Social Impact Award: European-wide program supporting impact-driven student and early-stage entrepreneurs, with strong DACH presence. Comparable in mission orientation (impact-focused founders), program structure, and target founder segment.
• Wayra Germany: Telefónica's corporate-backed accelerator network with a Berlin/Germany program. Comparable as a cohort-based startup accelerator targeting early-stage founders, though backed by a corporate parent and operates with equity-for-services terms.
• UnternehmerTUM: Munich-based entrepreneurship center offering accelerator programs, maker spaces, and founder education. Comparable mission and curriculum depth (startup education, accelerators) but serves the German South rather than Berlin.

Emerging players

• appliedAI: Munich-based AI ecosystem initiative offering AI training programs for SMEs and enterprises. Comparable in delivering practical AI implementation training to non-technical business audiences — overlapping with Berlin Startup School's AI Accelerator customer segment.

Direct peers

• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network with active programs in Berlin (Startupbootcamp Digital Health, FinTech, etc.). Directly comparable as a cohort-based Berlin startup accelerator serving similar founder segments, though it operates on a more commercial equity-for-services model.
• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed accelerator running structured programs that take founders from idea to funding. Closely comparable in cohort structure, founder stage, and curriculum design, with a similarly global mentor-driven model.
• Antler: Global early-stage investor and accelerator with a strong Berlin presence and similar pre-seed/idea-stage founder focus. Comparable cohort-based program design and target customer (first-time founders), though Antler typically takes equity while Berlin Startup School is equity-free.
• Founderland: Berlin-based accelerator focused on underrepresented founders (women, migrants, non-binary). Overlaps in mission (diversity-focused entrepreneurship), geography (Berlin), and accelerator cohort design, though Founderland is more investment-oriented.

Broad incumbents

• Y Combinator: The dominant global pre-seed accelerator. Comparable in serving very early-stage founders with structured cohort programs, though at vastly larger scale, longer operating history, and via an equity-for-funding model.
• Techstars: One of the largest global accelerator operators with multiple programs and a broad portfolio. Comparable as a global accelerator serving early-stage founders, but operates at much larger scale and primarily equity-driven.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/berlinstartupschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berlinstartupschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/berlinstartupschool
• TikToktiktok.com/@berlinstartupschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 BERLIN STARTUP SCHOOL