The Up2B Accelerator is starting a new funding period!
It's now official! The Up2B Accelerator, which focuses on B2B and industry tech start-ups, will continue to receive funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg until the end of 2022. innoWerft, together with the consortium partners from Next Mannheim and the Heidelberg Technology Park, is delighted about the continued funding. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing has selected the Up2B Accelerator from the numerous applications and thus continues to support start-ups from the B2B and high-tech sector. The official report of the state is available here to read.
What exactly is the Up2B Accelerator?
Up2B is the international accelerator for B2B & high-tech start-ups in the Rhine-Neckar region.
We have been supporting start-ups at every stage of development with our various programmes since 2017. There are now over 130 start-ups from 18 different countries, which have created a total of over 322 jobs and achieved financing totalling €28.2 million.
You can see what the Up2B participants have to say about our programmes here:
The Up2B Accelerator is run by three partners:
>>> Technology Park Heidelberg GmbH
The Heidelberg Technology Park is a centre for innovation in the high-tech sector. Its aim is to create the best possible framework conditions for scientific and research-related companies so that excellent science can be turned into innovative products and services.
>>> NEXT MANNHEIM
NEXT MANNHEIM is the startup ecosystem for urban innovation and promotes tech and medtech companies or international startups in order to continue to make Mannheim interesting for founders.
>>> innoWerft Technology and Start-up Centre Walldorf Stiftung GmbH
innoWerft is the company builder from the Rhine-Neckar region. Our start-up centre supports B2B start-ups with a great deal of expertise, experience and a large network in realising their business idea.
With the help of various programmes, the partners support start-ups on their way in collaboration with various companies. The programmes have an international focus and are completely free of charge for the start-ups thanks to funding from the state.
There are currently three different start-up programmes:
>>> Breakthrough
Breakthrough is all about problem-solution fit. Within six weeks, the start-ups are given a basic overview of all the important topics, receive 1-on-1 coaching to answer their questions individually and contacts are established with potential customers.
You can find more detailed information at: Breakthrough
>>> Firecamp
Firecamp is a five-day intensive programme with the goal of investor readiness. The programme focuses in particular on training for the perfect pitch, in-depth knowledge of important topics such as sales, marketing, investments and much more, contact with corporates and, of course, the opportunity to pitch in front of investors.
You can find more detailed information at: Firecamp
>>> Product Booster
The Product Booster programme is all about product-market fit. The team helps the start-ups to find their first pilot customers by matching them with corporates. During the five weeks, they can then work together on how their product can support the corporate.
You can find more detailed information at: Product Booster
But corporates don't just play a major role in Product Booster. In general, it is important for us to offer start-ups initial contact with potential customers. We have a large, constantly growing network of companies for this purpose.
Which companies does Up2B work with?
>>> SAP
With more than 200 million cloud users, SAP is the world's largest provider of enterprise software in the cloud.
>>> RNV
Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH is responsible for local public transport in Heidelberg, Mannheim and Ludwigshafen am Rhein.
>>> KPMG
KPMG is an international auditing, tax, legal and management consultancy firm with over 12,000 employees in 25 locations.
>>> Pfalzwerke
Pfalzwerke is an energy supply company based in Ludwigsburg am Rhein.
>>> BASF
BASF is one of the world's largest chemical companies with more than 110,000 employees at over 390 sites in more than 80 countries.
>>> IDS Innovation
IDS Innovation GmbH is involved in collaborations and investments in early-stage start-ups in the fields of image processing, industrial cameras and artificial intelligence.
>>> BSI
BSI is the leading software manufacturer from CRM to CX and has been serving its customers for almost 25 years.
>>> And some more!
You can see how start-ups and corporates can benefit from each other in the brief feedback from one of our programme participants:
Now it's time for the next step!
What does it look like?
Since 2017, innoWerft, together with its project partners and partners from the university landscape and companies, has been working as part of the Up2B Accelerator to individually support start-ups.
In addition to the Breakthrough, Product Booster and Firecamp programmes, two further programme modules will be added. These specialise more in fast-growing and international start-ups.
Work is also currently in full swing on a new logo and corporate design, so that Up2B will soon have an even stronger brand and a new website.
The past few years have been incredibly exciting for us, we have been able to get to know and support many people with innovative ideas! And we are very grateful to be able to continue helping start-ups turn their ideas into reality.
We are also particularly pleased to be able to present our two new programmes Scale Up and Market Discovery to offer start-ups an even broader range of services. And thus also be able to offer them support in the areas of scaling and internationalisation.
The entire Up2B team is looking forward to further funding and to the coming years and numerous programmes together with exciting start-ups.
Would you like to take part in one of the Up2B programmes?
All information about the programmes, application deadlines, etc. can be found here: Up2B Accelerator.
