What The Migrant Accelerator does

The Migrant Accelerator (TMA) is a Stuttgart-based non-profit accelerator program founded in 2022 and hosted by the Generator HdM Startup Center at Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart. It is the first and only program in Germany specifically designed to support first- and second-generation migrant founders building knowledge- and technology-based startups. TMA operates a three-part portfolio: the Migrant Founders Accelerator, a free 12-week program with workshops, mentorship, and €2,000 in prototype funding per startup; the Migrant Founders Community, an online peer network with knowledge base and events; and the Migrant Founders Ecosystem, a network of 30+ institutional partners connecting founders with mentors, investors, and corporate supporters across Germany. To date, TMA has supported 60+ startups and engaged 50+ mentors across multiple bi-annual cohorts.

The organization's business model is non-commercial: TMA is free for participating founders and is funded primarily as a model project by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz) since April 2024. The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, leveraging LinkedIn, Instagram, a Spotify podcast, and partner referrals to recruit founders twice yearly (Spring and Autumn batches). Program delivery combines in-person kick-off events in Hamburg, Demo Day in Munich, and weekly online workshops. TMA has no proprietary technology platform, app, or API; its core assets are human capital (11 staff including co-founders Laila Zohaib and Bartosz Kajdas), mentor relationships, and a 30+ partner ecosystem spanning Techstars, Dell, CIC, Impact Hub, Ananda Impact Ventures, Heartfelt Capital, and others. The organization is geographic-restricted to founders based in Germany and does not support startups expanding from abroad. In 2025, TMA was awarded the European Enterprise Promotion Award (EEPA) national winner in Germany for Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship, providing significant European policy-level recognition.

Name

The Migrant Accelerator

Legal name

Generator HdM Startup Center, Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart

Website

https://themigrantaccelerator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Migrant Accelerator is a Stuttgart-based non-profit, founded in 2022, running a free 12-week accelerator program with €2,000 prototype funding, mentorship, and community support for first- and second-generation migrant founders building knowledge- and technology-based startups in Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator program
• Founder mentorship program
• Entrepreneurship support services
• Migrant entrepreneurship support
• Prototype funding program

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding & Grants: TMA operates as a non-profit initiative funded primarily through public sources. Since April 2024, the program has been funded as a model project by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz). The accelerator program is free for participants, with TMA providing up to €2,000 financial allowance per startup for prototype development and business model validation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Migrant Accelerator runs a free, cohort-based 12-week Migrant Founders Accelerator program plus a year-round Migrant Founders Community for first- and second-generation migrants building startups in Germany. Participants receive €2,000 in prototype funding, structured mentorship from experienced founders, peer community, and introductions to investors and partners, with the program operated under CODE University of Applied Sciences and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Product overview

The Migrant Accelerator offers a three-part product and service portfolio designed to support migrant entrepreneurs in Germany. The core offering consists of the Migrant Founders Accelerator, a free 12-week intensive program providing workshops, mentorship, and prototype funding; the Migrant Founders Community, an online peer network for knowledge exchange and support; and the Migrant Founders Ecosystem, a broader network connecting founders with regional players, mentors, investors, and institutional partners. Together, these offerings form an integrated support system addressing the unique challenges faced by first- and second-generation migrant founders seeking to build knowledge- and technology-based startups in Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Migrant Founders Accelerator: A free 12-week program with workshops, mentoring, and prototype funding for migrant founders in Germany developing knowledge- or technology-based startups.
• Migrant Founders Community
• Migrant Founders Ecosystem

Products and services

• Migrant Founders Accelerator A free, cohort-based 12-week accelerator program for first- and second-generation migrant founders based in Germany. Participants receive €2,000 in non-dilutive prototype funding, structured mentorship from experienced founders, peer cohort learning, and curated introductions to investors and ecosystem partners. The program is run in Berlin and is free for selected founders.
• Migrant Founders Community An ongoing online peer community for first- and second-generation migrant founders in Germany, designed to provide continuous support, peer connection, and networking opportunities beyond the structured 12-week accelerator cohort.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ startups supported across multiple cohorts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Hochschule der Medien StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022TMA was launched at and is hosted by Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart. Part of the Generator HdM Startup Center. The university provides infrastructure, academic backing, and institutional support for the program.
• Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince April 2024, TMA has been funded as a model project by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz). This government backing provides primary funding for operations.
• TechstarsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal accelerator network partnering with TMA to support migrant founders. Provides access to global startup ecosystem resources, mentorship networks, and potential investment pathways.
• Impact Hub StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Impact Hub network, providing co-working spaces, community events, and regional startup ecosystem connections for migrant founders in the Stuttgart region.
• Impact ShakerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact-focused ecosystem connector supporting TMA's mission to empower migrant entrepreneurs through networking, knowledge sharing, and visibility initiatives.
• Impact PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact investment and startup support network collaborating with TMA to provide resources and connections for migrant-founded startups.
• CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal innovation center operator providing co-working spaces and startup support infrastructure. Partners with TMA to offer workspace access and ecosystem integration for migrant founders.
• Dell TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology corporation supporting TMA through potential technology donations, mentor access, and corporate social responsibility initiatives supporting diversity in entrepreneurship.
• Scaling SpacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup space and ecosystem provider offering workspace access and regional startup community integration for TMA participants.
• Startup City HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamburg's official startup initiative. Partners with TMA to host kick-off events and provide regional ecosystem access for migrant founders in northern Germany.
• MovingworldscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal platform connecting entrepreneurs and organizations. Supports TMA's mission through potential mentor matching and international founder exchange programs.
• Welcome AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork supporting international professionals and entrepreneurs in Germany. Helps TMA connect with migrant founders and provides integration resources.
• DEV Haus LeipzigcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeipzig-based tech community and startup hub. Provides regional ecosystem access and community events for TMA founders in eastern Germany.
• Black Professionals EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork supporting Black professionals across Europe. Partners with TMA to strengthen connections with diverse founder communities and provide mentorship access.
• Hinterland of ThingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman startup ecosystem network and event series. Provides TMA with access to broader startup community events and visibility opportunities.
• AIDIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPitch competition and startup support initiative. Collaborates with TMA on startup events and visibility opportunities.
• her careerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer network and events platform for women. Partners with TMA to support female migrant founders and provide networking opportunities.
• Startup NightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor startup networking event series in Germany. Provides visibility and networking opportunities for TMA startups.
• 1000 SatellitesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSatellite and space technology network. Supports TMA's ecosystem building through potential technical expertise and connections.
• ICH IT Career HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT career development network. Partners with TMA to support tech talent from migrant backgrounds and provide industry connections.
• ITCSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT and tech community organization supporting TMA through potential mentorship access and technical skill development resources.
• AUXXOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup ecosystem connector providing TMA with access to broader innovation community and potential partnerships.
• ZFE (Zentrum für Gründungsforschung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for entrepreneurship research at University of Rostock. Provides academic research connections and potential evidence-based insights for TMA programs.
• doolaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness formation and compliance platform. Supports TMA startups with company incorporation and legal structure services, particularly helpful for international founders navigating German regulations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ashoka: Global organization supporting leading social entrepreneurs ('Ashoka Fellows') with stipends, networks, and capacity building. Comparable as an established non-profit ecosystem-builder for mission-driven founders, though at a much larger scale and broader scope.
• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator operator running vertical-specific cohorts across multiple geographies. Comparable in operating model (cohort-based accelerator with mentor and partner networks) but focused on broader fintech, health, and smart-city verticals rather than demographic focus.
• Antler: Global early-stage investor and accelerator with active operations across Europe including Germany. Comparable cohort structure and mentor-driven model, but focuses on general founder talent rather than a specific demographic mission.
• Techstars: Global accelerator network and TMA's flagship strategic partner. Operates a much broader portfolio of vertical-agnostic accelerator programs worldwide; comparable as a partner-level accelerator but far larger and not focused on the migrant-founder niche.

Direct peers

• Yunus Social Business: Berlin-based organization founded with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, supporting social businesses and impact entrepreneurs globally. Comparable as a non-profit/impact accelerator addressing underserved founders, though with a broader social-business rather than migrant-specific lens.
• Social Impact Award: European-wide program supporting student and young social entrepreneurs with bootcamps, mentoring, and seed funding. Comparable as a non-profit accelerator for impact-oriented founders, though primarily student-focused rather than migrant-focused.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused co-working spaces, accelerators, and incubation programs. Impact Hub Stuttgart is a TMA partner; structurally comparable as a community-driven, impact-oriented founder support model with international footprint.
• Chivas Venture: Global impact accelerator and prize competition for early-stage social enterprises. Comparable as a non-profit-style accelerator supporting underrepresented founders with funding and mentorship, though with a more competition-driven selection model.

Others

• EBAN (European Business Angels Network): Pan-European federation of angel investor networks. Not a direct accelerator peer, but a relevant ecosystem counterpart — TMA partners with several of EBAN's member VCs, and both organizations sit in the European early-stage capital stack.
• MakeSense: International community supporting social entrepreneurs with volunteer programs, incubation, and visibility. Comparable in supporting impact-driven founders in Europe, but more community/volunteer-driven than a structured cohort accelerator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xlinkedin.com/company/the-migrant-accelerator
• YouTubeopen.spotify.com/show/3fN7geTkk3rTqjj5pPU71l?utm_source=Webseite&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Podcast&utm_id=TMA-Podcast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-migrant-accelerator
• Instagraminstagram.com/themigrantaccelerator

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 The Migrant Accelerator