Gründerzentrum Digitalisierung Niederbayern (GZDN)

What Gründerzentrum Digitalisierung Niederbayern (GZDN) does

Gründerzentrum Digitalisierung Niederbayern (GZDN) is a publicly funded, multi-location startup incubator and digitization center operating across Lower Bavaria (Niederbayern), Germany. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Passau, the network spans five physical locations — INN.KUBATOR Passau (coordinating lead, operated by Stadt Passau), ITC1 Deggendorf (hosted by Technische Hochschule Deggendorf), LINK Landshut, GreG Rottal-Inn in Pfarrkirchen, and GreG Freyung-Grafenau — and serves over 50 named early-stage startups spanning AI/ML, digital health, IoT, blockchain, MedTech, B2B SaaS, tourism technology, and related digital verticals.

The organization delivers a packaged offering of subsidized physical workspace (coworking from €6/day or €65/month, fixed desks €85/month, offices from €11/sqm, meeting rooms €55), free 1:1 consulting (Sprechstunde) backed by BayStartUP coaches, a structured accelerator (GZDN-Gründungsbeschleuniger), a paid community membership (€20/year for individuals), a Slack-based online community, a job portal integrated with GründerCafé, and an interactive Miro-based Founder Compass (Gründungskompass). Service delivery relies on standard third-party platforms — Nexudus for bookings, Eventbrite for events, Slack for community, Miro for the Founder Compass, Google Analytics for web analytics.

GZDN is financed primarily through public co-funding from Gründerland Bayern and the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, supplemented by corporate sponsorship and modest self-generated revenue from subsidized rentals and memberships. The 30+ named partner ecosystem includes state institutions, regional universities, chambers (IHK, HWK), venture capital firms (BayStartUP, Bayern Kapital, HTGF), regional savings banks (Sparkasse Passau, Deggendorf, Rottal-Inn, Freyung-Grafenau, VR Banken), and large corporates (BMW, ZF Friedrichshafen, Knorr-Bremse, DRÄXLMAIER, Micro-Epsilon, msg systems ag, Zollner). GZDN does not develop proprietary software products; its commercial value proposition is the curated regional startup ecosystem and physical infrastructure it provides.

Name

Gründerzentrum Digitalisierung Niederbayern (GZDN)

Legal name

Stadt Passau

Website

https://gzdn.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Coworking space rental
• Founder coaching programs
• Business accelerator programs
• Community office spaces

Headquarters

HQ city

Passau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Rental (CoWorking, Offices, Meeting Rooms): GZDN generates revenue through the rental of CoWorking desks (day, 10-day, and monthly passes), dedicated offices (fixed desk and per-square-meter pricing), and meeting rooms. These services are offered at subsidized rates to eligible startups (<5 years, innovative, with own product). Non-members and community members receive discounted or free access within defined limits.
2. Community Membership Fees: GZDN offers a paid community membership (GZDN-Community) for both business and private users, providing ongoing access to the network, free room bookings, and discounts. Membership serves as a recurring revenue stream and a retention mechanism.
3. Public Funding and Sponsorship: GZDN is co-funded by Gründerland Bayern and the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie). Additional revenue comes from corporate sponsors who support the GZDN network. Funding enables subsidized offerings for startups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GZDN is a publicly funded multi-location startup center for Lower Bavaria that provides subsidized coworking spaces, dedicated offices, meeting rooms, founder coaching, a 10-step accelerator program (Gründungsbegleiter), community membership (Community4Startups), and a startup-to-corporate job portal (Startup sucht...) for early-stage digital founders. It is operated by Stadt Passau as lead entity and financed by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs via the "Gründerland Bayern" initiative.

Product overview

GZDN is a multi-location startup center (Gründerzentrum) serving Lower Bavaria with five physical locations (Passau, Deggendorf, Landshut, Rottal-Inn, and Freyung-Grafenau). The organization offers a unified platform of physical workspace services combined with advisory programs. Core offerings include CoWorking spaces (daily/monthly subscriptions from €6/day or €65/month), fully furnished offices (14-60 sqm starting at €11/sqm), and meeting rooms (€55/booking). These are complemented by startup support services including free consulting (Gründungsberatung), the GZDN-Gründungsbeschleuniger accelerator program, and a Community Membership (€20/year for individuals) providing networking benefits and discounts. The product portfolio also includes a job portal and Slack-based online community. GZDN does not offer software-as-a-service products; all startups listed are independent ventures using GZDN's physical infrastructure and advisory services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GZDN: Abbreviation for Gründerzentrum Digitalisierung Niederbayern - a digitalization and startup center for Lower Bavaria, Germany
• INN.KUBATOR
• ITC1
• LINK
• GreG

Products and services

• CoWorking Space

Quantifiable outcome

• Startups can reduce office costs through subsidized rates (from €6/day coworking, €85/month fixed desk, €11/sqm/month office)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability28 records

Partnerships

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

• Gründerland BayernflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGründerland Bayern is the overarching startup initiative of the Bavarian State Government. GZDN is co-funded by Gründerland Bayern and operates as the regional digitisation startup centre for Lower Bavaria. It is featured as a key supporter on the GZDN website footer.
• BayStartUPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayStartUP provides 1:1 coaching with a dedicated BayStartUP coach for GZDN startups. BayStartUP is the official Bavarian startup initiative, connecting founders with mentors, investors, and programs. GZDN's Gründungsbeschleuniger is powered by BayStartUP.
• Bayern InnovativcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerbayern innovativ is Bavaria's innovation and technology platform. Listed as a supporter and partner of GZDN, helping connect startups with broader innovation ecosystems across Bavaria.
• Bayerische Forschungs- und Innovationsagentur (BayFIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayFIA supports the transfer of research findings into commercial applications. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting startups with research and innovation resources.
• German AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Accelerator helps German startups scale into the US and Asian markets. Listed as a GZDN supporter, offering global expansion pathways for eligible startups.
• Stadt PassaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Passau is the operating entity behind INN.KUBATOR Passau (GZDN's coordinating lead). Stadt Passau provides the physical location, staff, and operational oversight. The city's Datenschutzbeauftragte is also the data protection officer for GZDN.
• Universität PassaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversität Passau is listed as a supporter and partner of GZDN. The university supports startup creation through PATEC (Existenzgründung an der Universität Passau) and provides talent, research, and academic connections to the GZDN network.
• Technische Hochschule Deggendorf (THD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTHD and its European Campus Rottal-Inn, Institute of Technology Deggendorf, and THD StartUp Campus are listed as GZDN supporters. The university provides the host location for ITC1 Deggendorf and offers talent and research collaboration opportunities.
• invest in BavariaminorGTM or Marketing Partnerinvest in Bavaria is the foreign investment and startup attraction agency of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting the network to international startups and investors.
• IHK NiederbayerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) Niederbayern is listed as a GZDN supporter. The IHK provides business support, networking events, and referrals to startups in the region.
• HWK Niederbayern OberpfalzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHWK (Chamber of Crafts) Niederbayern Oberpfalz is listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting the startup ecosystem with the crafts and trades sector.
• GründerlandplattformminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGründerlandplattform is the online platform of Gründerland Bayern for startup resources and information. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing a platform for visibility and referrals.
• Gründungswoche DeutschlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGründungswoche Deutschland is a nationwide startup week event. GZDN participates and is listed as a supporter, promoting founding events across the region during the annual event.
• Hans Lindner StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHans Lindner Stiftung supports Existenzgründung (business founding) through consulting and coaching programs. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing additional coaching resources for founders.
• Aktivsenioren e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAktivsenioren e.V. provides experienced senior consultants who mentor and support business founders in Germany. Listed as a GZDN supporter, offering mentorship to startups in the network.
• GründercaféminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGründercafé (powered by the platform) provides a startup map for discovering startup jobs across Germany. GZDN integrates the GründerCafé into its job portal, allowing startups to list positions and job seekers to discover opportunities.
• Europaregion Donau MoldauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuroparegion Donau Moldau is a cross-border regional cooperation between Bavaria, Austria, and South Bohemia. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing potential cross-border startup connections and resources.
• InnRaum³ — Grenzüberschreitender InnovationsraumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnRaum³ is a cross-border innovation space. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting the network to cross-border innovation resources and partnerships in the Bavarian-Austrian border region.
• Digitale Gründerinitiative Oberpfalz (DGO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigitale Gründerinitiative Oberpfalz is a digital startup initiative in the Upper Palatinate region. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting the Lower Bavarian ecosystem with the broader digital startup landscape.
• INDIGO netzwerkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerINDIGO is a startup network listed as a GZDN supporter, providing cross-regional networking and startup support connections.
• Niederbayern Forum e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNiederbayern Forum e.V. is a regional development association for Lower Bavaria. Listed as a GZDN supporter, helping promote the startup ecosystem across the region.
• Werk 1minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWerk 1 is a startup hub and co-working space in Munich. Listed as a GZDN supporter, potentially providing connections to the Munich startup ecosystem for Lower Bavarian startups.
• Start2minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStart2 is a startup support organization. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing additional networking and startup resources.
• Unternehmergymnasium BayernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnternehmergymnasium Bayern supports entrepreneurial education. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing educational resources and connections for aspiring student founders.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Volks- und Betriebswirte e.V. (bdvb)minorStrategic or Co-development Partnerbdvb is the German national association of business economists. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing professional development and network access for startups.
• Landkreis PassauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandkreis Passau is a local government district supporting regional development. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing institutional backing and connections for the INN.KUBATOR Passau location.
• Kreishandwerkschaft Rottal INNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKreishandwerkschaft Rottal INN is the local crafts chamber for the Rottal-Inn district. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting the startup ecosystem with the trades and crafts sector.
• Techno-Z BraunauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechno-Z Braunau is an Austrian technology and startup center. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing cross-border innovation and startup support connections (Bavaria-Austria region).
• Passauer Neue Presse (PNP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPassauer Neue Presse is the leading regional newspaper for Passau and Lower Bavaria. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing media coverage and marketing visibility for the startup ecosystem.
• Niederbayern TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNiederbayern TV is a regional television broadcaster for Lower Bavaria. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing media visibility and marketing reach for startups.
• Stadt DeggendorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Deggendorf is listed as a GZDN supporter, providing institutional backing for the ITC1 Deggendorf location and connecting the startup ecosystem with municipal resources.
• Landkreis DeggendorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandkreis Deggendorf is the local government district for Deggendorf. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing institutional support for the ITC1 startup center.
• Stadtwerke DeggendorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStadtwerke Deggendorf (municipal utilities) are listed as a GZDN supporter, providing infrastructure and potential partnerships for startups in the Deggendorf area.
• Wirtschaftsjunioren DeggendorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWirtschaftsjunioren Deggendorf is a network of young business leaders and entrepreneurs. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing networking and mentorship for young founders.
• Wirtschaftsjunioren Rottal INNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWirtschaftsjunioren Rottal INN is a network of young business leaders in the Rottal-Inn district. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
• Wirtschaftsregion PassauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWirtschaftsregion Passau is a regional economic development organization. Listed as a GZDN supporter, promoting the startup ecosystem and connecting startups with regional business resources.
• Wirtschaftsforum der Region Passau (WiFo)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWirtschaftsforum der Region Passau is an economic forum for the Passau region. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing networking and business development opportunities for startups.
• KONNEX e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKONNEX e.V. is a regional business network. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing networking opportunities for startups in the Passau region.
• kuwi netzwerkminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerkuwi netzwerk is a network for business economists. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing professional connections for founders with economics backgrounds.
• enactus DeutschlandminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerenactus is a global non-profit organization focused on entrepreneurship in education. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting student entrepreneurship with the regional startup ecosystem.
• Alumni Club Universität PassauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlumni Club Universität Passau is the alumni network of University of Passau. Listed as a GZDN supporter, connecting startups with experienced alumni mentors and professionals.
• INSTEAD e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINSTEAD e.V. is a startup and innovation network. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing additional networking and support resources for founders.
• Stadt PfarrkirchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStadt Pfarrkirchen is the municipality behind the GreG Rottal-Inn location. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing institutional support and local business connections.
• Stadt FreyungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStadt Freyung is the municipality behind the GreG Freyung-Grafenau location. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing institutional support for the local startup center.
• Kanzlei Dr. Kittl & PartnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Kittl & Partner is a law and tax consulting firm. Listed as a GZDN supporter in Deggendorf, providing legal and tax advisory services for startups.
• Prem & PauliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrem & Pauli is a tax and legal consulting firm in Deggendorf. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing tax advisory and legal services for startups.
• Meine Welt Rottal INNminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeine Welt Rottal INN is a retail company. Listed as a GZDN supporter in the Rottal-Inn area, potentially providing partnerships or market access for retail and e-commerce startups.
• Agentur BaumgartnerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgentur Baumgartner is a marketing agency. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing marketing expertise and potential partnerships for startups needing brand or marketing support.
• LifeTeachUsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLifeTeachUs is a learning and education platform. Listed as a GZDN supporter, providing educational content and potential partnerships for edtech startups.
• TK Die TechnikerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechniker Krankenkasse (TK) is Germany's largest statutory health insurance provider. Listed as a GZDN supporter in Deggendorf, providing potential health insurance partnerships and support for healthcare startups.
• InnwerkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnwerk is a regional initiative or organization. Listed as a GZDN supporter in the Passau area, providing networking and business development support.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mindspace: European coworking and flexible-office operator with multiple locations. Broader incumbent offering comparable workspace products (coworking, offices, meeting rooms) but without GZDN's regional development mandate, public funding, or accelerator programming.
• Plug and Play: Global startup accelerator and corporate innovation platform with multiple German locations. Broader incumbent in the accelerator/incubator space, comparable in offering accelerator programs and corporate pilots though operating at vastly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Impact Hub Munich: Part of the global Impact Hub network. Munich location offers coworking, incubation, and impact-focused startup programming. Comparable to GZDN's community-driven startup support model, though with a stronger impact/social-enterprise orientation.
• Werk 1: Munich-based startup hub and coworking space. Directly comparable to GZDN as a regional Bavarian startup center offering workspace, community, and corporate connections — though at larger scale and serving a more urban ecosystem.
• Factory Berlin: Berlin-based startup campus and coworking space combining workspace, community, and corporate partnerships. Directly comparable business model to GZDN (multi-location hubs, member community, corporate pilots) at significantly larger scale.
• Strascheg Center (SCE) — Munich: Startup center at Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM). Provides incubation, coaching, and academic-industry bridging for student and external founders. Directly comparable to GZDN in mission (academic-affiliated startup support) though Munich-based.
• UnternehmerTUM: Munich's leading startup center, affiliated with TU Munich. Provides coworking, accelerator programs (e.g., TechFounders), and investor connections. Directly comparable to GZDN in mission (regional startup support) but operates at much larger scale with broader funding sources.

Others

• High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF): Germany's leading early-stage technology investor, listed as a GZDN partner. Not a coworking operator but a key ecosystem participant providing seed capital to GZDN portfolio startups. Comparable as a regional/Bavarian startup support stakeholder.
• BayStartUP: The official Bavarian startup initiative providing coaching, investor networks, and pitch events. Not a coworking operator but a direct partner and ecosystem enabler for GZDN's accelerator program — comparable in mission (Bavaria-wide startup support).

Regional players

• Digitale Gründerinitiative Oberpfalz (DGO): Digital startup initiative serving the Upper Palatinate region, adjacent to Niederbayern. Highly comparable to GZDN in mission (regional digitalization support, public funding, multi-stakeholder partnerships), explicitly listed as a GZDN partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gzdn

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 Gründerzentrum Digitalisierung Niederbayern (GZDN)