Berlin has established itself as one of the most important startup hubs in Europe over the past years. Its digital economy is booming –  the economic federation partner “Berlin Partner” estimates that around 300.000 new jobs will be created in the next 15 years. But how can you scale your startups business into the German market in a successful way? Startup Lighthouse, initiated by Startup Europe, is committed to helping startups to internationalise by organising 8 Deep Dive Weeks in 4 ecosystems during the 2-year program. Developing cross border connections within and beyond Europe, essentially this program pushes startups to immerse into a new ecosystem during the Deep Dive Weeks.

Together with Startup Lighthouse etventure invited 11 mobility startups from all over Europe to provide them with essential tools and relevant contacts to bring their business to Berlin. Our etventure experts put together workshops, corporate-meet-startup sessions, networking events and an exclusive dinner. All with the following three main objectives:

1. Get to know the ecosystem

If you want to be of relevance in a new city it is crucial to get an overview of all relevant hubs and multipliers. “Networking is the goal for me and to meet the right people” – Startup Founder Deepak Kumar, who was part of the Deep Dive Week with his company RelateData. This is why we invited the Berlin innovation ecosystem to the Future of Mobility Meetup at wavespace Berlin. Our selected startups had the chance to pitch their idea in front of a broad audience, but also to mingle with the Berlin Startup Ecosystem.

2. Get customers & investors

Berlin is the gateway to the German market and its strong Mittelstand. During a communications session, the startups learned how to sell their story to the German Media and customers. First and foremost, explaining your business should be easy to understand for both an 8-Year-Old and an 80-Year-Old. Many of the SME’s are still better approached in German, if possible, and also trade press like Handelsblatt have a high value among companies. In addition, our startups were able to meet investors at an exclusive dinner at wavespace Berlin with a lot of knowledge-sharing and networking.

3. Exchange ideas with other Startups and Industry Stakeholders

We invited leading corporates like BASF for co-creation sessions. “The goal of co-creation sessions is to bring established players in the economy and new players like startups together, join forces and solve the most pressing issues of this industry”. Daniel Salgado Ecosystem Manager at etventure and organiser of the programme. The exchange between different stakeholders is essential to take innovation to the next level, confirms Simon Litvinov founder of PRNS (HIVE): “One crucial benefit was not only to meet corporates or investors, but to meet other startups. We have so many things in common and it is interesting to be in the same space with people from the same industry”.

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Interesting in getting involved in one of our programmes?

If you are a startup interested in joining one of our programmes: Check out Startup Lighthouse Website and current openings & programmes. If you are a corporate interested in joining the programme as part of co-creation session or 1-on-1 meetings with startups, get in contact with us!