What SINGA Berlin does

SINGA Berlin (legally SINGA Deutschland gUG (haftungsbeschränkt)) is a German non-profit organization founded in 2016 in Berlin that supports newcomer entrepreneurs and builds inclusive communities across Germany. The organization runs a portfolio of programs including startup competitions (Berlin Newcomer Startup Award, Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award), an inclusive pre-incubator (Business Lab by SINGA), community-building initiatives (Amplifying Belonging in Berlin, Mach Mit!, SPRACHCAFÉ), cross-border cooperation (LiNK Strasbourg–Karlsruhe), and international projects (Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Senegal and Morocco). Programs are delivered through regional offices in Berlin (Paul-Lincke-Ufer 8b), Stuttgart (c/o Social Impact Lab), Bochum, and Karlsruhe, serving people with migration and refugee backgrounds alongside local residents using design-thinking methodology and co-created programming.

SINGA has codified its approach into a reusable open-source methodology, including the Impact Ladder & Impact Plan, Problem Tree, Target Group Matrix, and tools addressing language, space perception, and inclusion — developed through the 'Rethinking Integration' project in partnership with PHINEO and shared with peer organizations. The organization operates as part of a broader international SINGA network active in 7 countries (France, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Germany), with Berlin serving as the German coordinating entity alongside a separate SINGA Stuttgart gUG.

Revenue is generated entirely through grants and donations, not commercial fees. Funding sources span foundation grants (Visa Foundation, Robert Bosch Stiftung, The Human Safety Net, Schöpfling Stiftung, Heidehof Stiftung), corporate partnerships (TARGO Bank, Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, INCO Opportunity), and public-sector funding (Berlin Senate Department SenWiEnBe, GIZ, Interreg Oberrhein/EU), supplemented by individual donations via GLS Bank. All programs are free for participants; the organization is led by Co-Managing Directors Ramona Hinkelmann and Sen Zhan with a small core team supplemented by project-based staff and a volunteer network.

Name

SINGA Berlin

Legal name

SINGA Deutschland gUG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Website

https://singa-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SINGA Berlin is a German non-profit founded in 2016 that supports newcomer entrepreneurs through startup awards, a pre-incubator, and community programs across Berlin, Stuttgart, Bochum, Karlsruhe, and NRW. The organization is funded by foundations, corporate partners, and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Social Inclusion & Migrant Entrepreneurship

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Social Advocacy Organizations (813319), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Migrant entrepreneurship programs
• Newcomer startup support
• Inclusive pre-incubator
• Refugee community building
• Social inclusion nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Corporate Partnerships: Activities are financed through foundations and corporate partnerships, including organizations like Visa Foundation, Robert Bosch Stiftung, and The Human Safety Net. These partnerships provide funding for program operations.
2. Public Funding: Governmental funding from institutions such as the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises (SenWiEnBe) and GIZ supports various programs.
3. Donations: Individual donations accepted via bank transfer (GLS Bank) for supporters who want to contribute financially to the organization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SINGA Berlin is a non-profit organization that delivers free entrepreneurship support programs for newcomer and refugee entrepreneurs in Germany, including startup awards with seed funding (Berlin Newcomer Startup Award, Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award), a co-created pre-incubator (Business Lab), cross-border cooperation networks (LiNK), and community initiatives (Amplifying Belonging in Berlin). It also develops open-source methodology tools for impact measurement and social inclusion used by other organizations.

Product overview

SINGA Deutschland operates as a non-profit organization focused on empowering people with migration and refugee backgrounds to participate fully in society through entrepreneurship, innovation, and social engagement. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including startup competitions (Berlin Newcomer Startup Award, Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award), an inclusive pre-incubator (Business Lab by SINGA), cross-border cooperation networks (LiNK Cooperation), and community initiatives (Amplifying Belonging in Berlin). Additionally, SINGA has developed a collection of open-source methodology tools including the Impact Ladder & Impact Plan, Problem Tree, Target Group Matrix, and Inclusion exercises, which were created through the international 'Rethinking Integration' project and are available for other organizations to use. The programs operate across Berlin, Stuttgart, Bochum, and Karlsruhe, with international projects extending to Senegal, Morocco, and France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berlin Newcomer Startup Award A competition and awards program for (future) newcomer entrepreneurs in Berlin, offering expert feedback, coaching, and a chance to win seed funding to kickstart business ideas. Funded by SenWiEnBe.
• Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award A competition for newcomer entrepreneurs in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), offering expert feedback, coaching, and a chance to win seed funding to kickstart business ideas. Funded by TARGO Bank.
• Business Lab by SINGA An inclusive pre-incubator that was co-created with newcomer entrepreneurs to identify their key challenges and design a program that would best enable their success. Funded by The Human Safety Net and VISA Foundation.
• LiNK Cooperation A cross-border network between Strasbourg and Karlsruhe that supports entrepreneurial and social projects to help shape an open and inclusive society. Funded by Interreg Oberrhein.
• Migration Puzzle Interactive and collaborative workshops that raise awareness about migration by exploring individual migration journeys through a playful, educational puzzle format. Funded by Heidehof Stiftung.
• Amplifying Belonging in Berlin A community initiative that empowers newcomers and long-time Berliners to co-create a more inclusive city through public-space interventions, community gatherings, and peer-led trainings. Running from May to November 2025. Funded by Deutsche Postcode Lotterie.
• Shaping Inclusive Societies An international project (2020-2023) for passionate and active participants focused on the topic of migration and creating truly inclusive societies. Funded by Robert Bosch Stiftung.
• Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Senegal An international project implemented in partnership with GIZ and DGASE to strengthen the economic and social inclusion of returning migrants in Senegal through incubation programs.
• the right fIT A completed project (2022-2023) consisting of five workshops utilizing playful and innovative methods to foster motivation and self-awareness for IT students. A joint project with Digital Career Institute, supported by INCO Opportunity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rheinpreneur Impact Report 2025 - showcasing belonging and innovation across North Rhine-Westphalia
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Digital Career InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the right fIT project supporting tech career development for students
• SINGA Global NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of SINGA organizations operating in France, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany sharing common values and mission

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JOBLINGE: JOBLINGE is a German nonprofit network helping young people with difficult starting conditions — including migration backgrounds — transition into vocational training and employment. Directly comparable on beneficiary profile, German geographic scope, and foundation/corporate funding model.
• INCO: INCO operates inclusive entrepreneurship programs and impact accelerators globally, including the right fIT project partnership with SINGA. Highly comparable in supporting underrepresented founders and operating social-inclusion incubators in Europe.
• PHINEO: PHINEO is a German impact analysis and consulting nonprofit that co-developed SINGA's impact tools. Comparable in working at the intersection of civil society capacity-building and methodology development for the social sector in Germany.
• Kiron Open Higher Education: Kiron is a Germany-headquartered nonprofit providing refugee learners with access to higher education and pathways to employment. Highly comparable to SINGA in mission (refugee/newcomer empowerment), German base, foundation-funding model, and beneficiary cohort.
• Social Impact gGmbH: Social Impact gGmbH operates Social Impact Start and manages social innovation hubs across Germany. Highly comparable on running physical incubators, social entrepreneurship programs, and operating in the same German funding ecosystem.
• Social Impact Lab: Social Impact Lab operates physical hubs in Germany (including Stuttgart, where SINGA Stuttgart is co-located) supporting social entrepreneurs and impact startups. Closely comparable to SINGA in target audience, incubator model, and German footprint, including shared physical infrastructure.
• Migration Hub Network: Migration Hub Network is a global platform supporting migrant entrepreneurs through programs, content, and partnerships. Listed as a SINGA partner, with closely aligned mission of empowering migrant-founded startups and ecosystem-building.

Broad incumbents

• Tent Foundation: Tent Foundation is a major global foundation funding refugee employment and entrepreneurship programs, including partnerships with many SINGA-ecosystem organizations. Comparable as a funder/coordinator in the refugee-employment space, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Schöpflin Stiftung: Schöpflin Stiftung is a major German foundation funding organizations that empower people with migration backgrounds — including SINGA itself. Comparable as a strategic funder and ecosystem participant in the same thematic space, though operating as a foundation rather than implementing programs directly.
• Ashoka Germany: Ashoka Germany supports leading social entrepreneurs (Ashoka Fellows) and changemakers. Comparable in operating a social-entrepreneurship ecosystem in Germany with methodology and network support, though at a broader scope than newcomer entrepreneurship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXus0DYdSuCKoAmZeTNYoOA
• Facebookfacebook.com/singaberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/singa-berlin
• Instagraminstagram.com/singa_berlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about SINGA Berlin