Accelerators

Techstars and Audi Denkwerkstatt Founder Innovation Lab

Techstars and Audi Denkwerkstatt, the innovation unit of Audi, have partnered together to bring a new offering for ambitious founders in support of building a customer-centric digital ecosystem centered around the car: The Founder Innovation Lab. Consisting of two programs, the pre-accelerator and the accelerator, the Founder Innovation Lab will provide profound venture building expertise, as well as opportunities to connect with a powerful partner network of mentors, founders and investors. The goal of the program is to support and nurture founders as well as startups while getting digital, mobility-related business models ready for the market more quickly in a highly competitive environment. Founders will have the opportunity to address the charging experience for electric cars, holistic mobility concepts, connecting users with each other as well as digital services both inside and outside the vehicle.

Berlin, Germany

Accelerator Program

Accelerator program welcomes high-growth startup teams and exceptional founders who want to access capital, talent, and opportunity to grow and scale their business in this inclusive, diverse, and rapidly growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Applications are now open.

You can find further program FAQs here.

Key Dates

Pre-Accelerator

Applications Open | August 1, 2022

Final Deadline for Applications | Nov 1, 2022

Virtual Onboarding | December 12 - Dec 16, 2022

In Person Program | January 2023 - March 2023

You can find further program FAQs here.

Pre-Accelerator Program

The Techstars and Audi Denkwerkstat Pre-Accelerator is a ten-week, in person program that provides solo idea-stage or early-stage founders with the training, tools, mentorship, and network to prepare them for the next level. The program cultivates a community of innovative and ambitious individuals who are all highly motivated to support each other’s success. Participants will hone their entrepreneurial skills, better understand their target customers, and connect with fellow founders for possible collaborations or matchmaking. 

The Team

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Martin Schilling
Managing Director
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Martin Schilling
Managing Director
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Brian Daly
Investment Manager
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Isabelle Flanagan
Program Manager
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Emilie Vallauri
Pre-Accelerator Program Manager
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Glory Eromosele
Pre-Accelerator Ops Associate

Partners

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“At Audi Denkwerkstatt our goal is to develop customer-focused innovations quickly, efficiently, and then to get them ready for the market.”
Tim Miksche
Head of Audi Denkwerkstatt
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“At Audi Denkwerkstatt our goal is to develop customer-focused innovations quickly, efficiently, and then to get them ready for the market.”
Tim Miksche
Head of Audi Denkwerkstatt
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“I am thrilled to meet and connect new pioneers from all over the world who share our vision of a sustainable future, driven by digital innovation.”
Malte Schönfeld
Venture Developer
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“Audi Denkwerkstatt is what you make of it. If you are willing to step out of your comfort zone we will enable you reach your full potential.”
Stephan Beutler
Venture Developer
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“The deep passion for innovation within our team drives us to pave new paths of tomorrow's mobility.”
Ningan Tang
Research