This Is You
- You come from a background in science, technology, or industry and you’re ready to turn your idea into real impact.
What You Bring
- You have an exciting idea in the fields of technology, energy, digitalization, artificial intelligence, sustainability, or another innovative discipline - combined with expertise, curiosity, openness, and the courage to explore new paths.
What you want
- You want to advance your idea, build a viable business model, and become part of a strong, supportive network.
To advance your idea, develop a viable business model, and become part of a strong network. We support you specifically according to your needs.
Consulting
Business Plan
Know-how
Funding & Financing
Idea Workshop
Organizational Development
Workspace
Mentoring
Network
Financing
Spin-off
u.v.m.
We offer tailored support to match your needs.
Building a Solid Foundation
Idea Workshop
Consulting
Spin-off Support
Funding & Financing
Accelerating Your Progress
Know-how
Network
Mentoring
Workspace
Ensuring Sustainable Growth
Spin-off
Organizational Development
You can join at any stage depending on where you are in your startup journey.
Phase 1
Orientation & Validation
- Idea Workshop
- Expert Consulting
- Funding Check
A clearly defined problem statement, a validated idea, and identified funding opportunities.
Phase 2
Prototyping & Proof of Concept
- Labs and Workshops
- Technical Mentoring
- Funding up to €30,000
A functional prototype, validated assumptions, and a well-defined team structure.
Phase 3
Pilot Projects & Market Entry
- Industry contacts
- Networking and partners
- Funding up to €10,000
First pilot customers or research partners acquired, product tested in real-world conditions, and follow-up funding prepared.
Phase 4
Development &
Growth
- Change Management
- Team & leadership
- Investor network
Spin-off completed, follow-up funding secured, and market entry achieved.
Here you’ll find more details about the goals of each phase and how we support you along the way.
1. Orientation & Validation
Start here if you have a business idea and want to explore its potential.
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERS, WE OFFER YOU:
- Idea Workshop: Turn your research idea into a clear problem–solution framework.
- Expert Consulting: Receive guidance from professionals who understand your field.
- Funding Check: Identify suitable funding programs for your project.
- Access to Facilities: Use labs and infrastructure to take your first steps cost-effectively.
Outcome: A clearly defined problem statement, a validated idea, and identified funding opportunities.
2. Prototyping & Proof of Concept
Start here if you know what problem your solution addresses.
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERS, WE OFFER YOU:
- Lab & Workshop Access: Build and test your prototype affordably at GITZ or with our partners.
- Technical Mentoring: Get hands-on support from experienced professionals on implementation, scaling, or certification.
- Business Plan Development: Work with us to shape your business model and go-to-market strategy.
- Concept Funding: Receive up to €30,000 to develop your prototype.
Outcome: A functional prototype, validated assumptions, and a defined team structure.
2. Prototyping & Proof of Concept
Start here if you know what problem your solution addresses.
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERS, WE OFFER YOU:
- Lab & Workshop Access: Build and test your prototype affordably at GITZ or with our partners.
- Technical Mentoring: Get hands-on support from experienced professionals on implementation, scaling, or certification.
- Business Plan Development: Work with us to shape your business model and go-to-market strategy.
- Concept Funding: Receive up to €30,000 to develop your prototype.
Outcome: A functional prototype, validated assumptions, and a defined team structure.
3. Pilot Projects & Market Entry
Start here if you have a working prototype and a clear target audience.
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERS, WE OFFER YOU:
- Industry Connections: Test your product under real-world conditions and collect valuable feedback.
- Partner Network: Connect with research institutions, clusters, and companies to explore collaboration opportunities.
- Validation Funding: Receive up to €10,000 to validate your prototype in the market.
Outcome: First pilot customers or research partners acquired, product tested in real-world conditions, and follow-up funding prepared.
3. Pilot Projects & Market Entry
Start here if you have a working prototype and a clear target audience.
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERS, WE OFFER YOU:
- Industry Connections: Test your product under real-world conditions and collect valuable feedback.
- Partner Network: Connect with research institutions, clusters, and companies to explore collaboration opportunities.
- Validation Funding: Receive up to €10,000 to validate your prototype in the market.
Outcome: First pilot customers or research partners acquired, product tested in real-world conditions, and follow-up funding prepared.
4. Growth & Expansion
Join here if you already have pilot customers, proven results, and are ready to scale.
WITH OUR STRONG PARTNERS, WE OFFER YOU:
- Organizational Development: Build your team and establish strong internal structures
- Team & Leadership Mentoring: Learn from experienced founders about leadership, roles, and effective processes.
- Investor Network & Demo Day: Gain exposure to investors and funding institutions.
- Alumni & Community: Stay connected within the network for continued visibility, support, and collaboration.
Outcome: Successful spin-off completed, follow-up financing secured, and market entry achieved.
How Can You Move Forward from Here?
Founders’ Training
You may have developed an idea based on your research, product development, or professional activities. Together, we will assess whether this idea can be transformed into a market-ready product.
In our Idea Workshop, you will refine your concept, receive expert feedback from subject specialists, and learn how to communicate its potential value to future users.
We will also help you identify suitable funding opportunities and clarify the requirements for a successful application.
Business Plan
You would like to demonstrate that your idea is viable.
If you have not yet participated in Phase 1, we will start by reviewing your current status and identifying what is needed to turn your idea into a functional prototype.
We provide access to laboratories and workshops, arrange technical mentoring, and support you in developing a well-structured business plan.
Particularly promising projects may receive up to €30,000 in funding for essential equipment and prototype development.
Start-up Phase
You want to test your solution in a real-world environment.
If you are joining us for the first time, we will determine which type of pilot project best fits your concept and identify suitable collaboration partners.
Together, we will define your objectives and establish connections with relevant industry partners and research institutions. Through our extensive network, you will gain access to clusters, test environments, and pilot customers to validate your solution under real-world conditions.
Start-up initiatives with strong potential may receive validation funding of up to €10,000 to support market testing and apply the findings to further development stages.
Growth
You are preparing to establish your company or expand your existing business.
If you are already active in the market or close to launching, we will start with a comprehensive review of your current situation and growth objectives.
We support you in developing the organizational structures required for long-term stability and scaling. In addition, we connect you with experienced mentors who provide guidance on leadership development and team building.
Through our investor network, you will gain access to financial partners and funding institutions. As part of the GITZ community, you will also remain connected to a strong network of peers and professionals for ongoing collaboration and exchange.
Focus Areas
Based on the regional research landscape, we focus on three key areas of innovation where our networks are particularly strong and well established.
At the same time, we remain open to other pioneering ideas that show strong potential.
Sustainability
New Materials
Applied AI and Digitalization
Other Innovative Ideas
Interested in Participating?
Applications for the current program cycle are open until 15 November 2025. The next application deadline will be 15 January 2026.
November 2025
January 2026
About Us
We are a start-up accelerator based in Geesthacht, dedicated to supporting innovative ventures in their early stages of development.
Our mission is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by providing resources, expert mentoring, and access to extensive networks. Through our structured support, we help start-ups build a solid foundation, accelerate growth, and achieve long-term success in their respective markets.
About Us
We are a start-up accelerator based in Geesthacht, dedicated to supporting innovative ventures in their early stages of development.
Our mission is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by providing resources, expert mentoring, and access to extensive networks. Through our structured support, we help start-ups build a solid foundation, accelerate growth, and achieve long-term success in their respective markets.
Our partners
