We are looking for startups and innovators who want to change society for the better.
Applications for startup teams and innovators are currently closed.
The Social Impact Republic Impact Accelerator is a three-month, nationwide program in which we help startup teams scale their business models.
Six major innovation and entrepreneurship centers from across Germany are joining forces in the Impact Accelerator:
Campus Founders from Heilbronn, the Founders Foundation from Bielefeld, the Public Value Hub in Leipzig, the Unisphere Innovation Campus in Rostock, the appliedAI Institute for Europe in Heilbronn and Munich, and UnternehmerTUM in Munich.
The core themes of the projects we want to support lie in the following areas:
AI in GovTech
Citizen Entrepreneurship & DemocracyTech
EdTech
GreenTech
Are you working on a different topic? Then, unfortunately, you cannot participate in this accelerator. In this case, please contact us here for support and admission into our network.
6
Innovation Centers
12
Teams Supported
Nov. 24, 2025
Application Deadline Startups
Dec. 14, 2025
Application Deadline Innovators
Jan. 12, 2026
Program Launch
March 25, 2026
Final Presentation
The Impact Accelerator draws on the experience, knowledge, and networks of six strong partners. By pooling all their expertise, they have created a unique, supraregional support program for startups, founders, and individual changemakers in the field of social impact.
Campus Founders is THE startup and co-innovation center in Heilbronn. They support teams in all phases of their entrepreneurial journey, from the initial idea to sustainable scaling.
Their programs combine practical experience, advanced methods, scholarships, and a strong international mentor network tailored to each phase of building a business. From validating the initial idea to achieving product-market fit and sustainable scaling, they support founders at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey to make significant progress and seize global opportunities.
As part of the Rise Europe network, which connects 20 leading startup ecosystems in 14 countries, Campus Founders builds important bridges to global markets and experts.
They bring students, founders, investors, and companies together to promote collaboration and joint innovation, supported by a community of more than 1,200 members. In addition, they carry out special initiatives to support founders and strengthen diverse entrepreneurship.
Every year, they host Heilbronn Slush'D, welcoming over 1,000 key players from the European startup ecosystem to Heilbronn.
Further information: https://campusfounders.de/
Specialization within the Impact Accelerator: EdTech
Founders Foundation gGmbH is a non-profit subsidiary of the Bertelsmann Foundation. As a startup accelerator and ecosystem builder based in Bielefeld, Founders Foundation trains the next generation of successful founders.
As a pioneer in the training of founders, the Founders Foundation relies on the holistic and methodologically sound Founders Foundation Education Model, which systematically and seamlessly maps the startup development cycle from the idea to the maturation process to the financing phase.
In 2022, the Founders Foundation launched the “EdTech Next” initiative together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy (MWIKE) of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Eduvation GmbH, expanding its program offerings with the hybrid EdTech programs EdTech Next Academy & EdTech Next Incubator. In adapting the proven education model, EdTech founders and startups are supported throughout Germany, regardless of their location.
Further information: https://foundersfoundation.de/en/
Specialisation within the Impact Accelerator: Citizen Entrepreneurship
The Public Value Hub is a non-profit social enterprise based in Leipzig that has been developing programs to promote public welfare-oriented start-ups and social innovations since 2022.
The focus is on developing impact-oriented business models, digital education offerings, and measuring social impact. Successful projects include Re:Start UA, which supports refugees from Ukraine in founding startups to help rebuild their country, and We:Start, which empowers people in rural areas to develop and implement concrete solutions to local social challenges.
With the Public Value Academy, the PVH also operates its own digital learning platform with practice-oriented learning paths, methods, and an integrated impact measurement tool, which was developed in cooperation with UnternehmerTUM and PHINEO and provides comprehensive support to founders.
Further information: https://www.publicvaluehub.com/
Specialization within the Impact Accelerator: GreenTech
The Unisphere Innovation Campus (UIC) is the central point of contact for technology-oriented and sustainable start-ups in Germany. As part of the de:hub initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, it forms the GreenTech Hub MV and specifically promotes innovations in climate and environmental protection, resource efficiency, circular economy, sustainable mobility, and energy transition.
The UIC supports startups throughout their entire journey – from idea development to incubation and validation to scaling and internationalization. Programs such as ACCELERATE:MV and SPiNOFF – EXCELLENCE MV promote start-up projects through coaching, mentoring, access to financing, investor networks, and industry partners. With a strong regional, national, and international network, the UIC connects business, science, and politics and accelerates the market launch of GreenTech innovations.
Further information: https://www.uicampus.de/en/
Role within the Impact Accelerator: Cross-location empowerment and support for all stakeholders in the field of (responsible) AI
The appliedAI Institute for Europe gGmbH is the open-access accelerator for trustworthy artificial intelligence in Europe. The goal of the appliedAI Institute for Europe gGmbH is to generate and disseminate high-quality knowledge about trustworthy AI. In addition, professionals are empowered to accelerate the development and application of trustworthy AI by making high-quality content openly accessible.
As a flagship project with European appeal, appliedAI Institute for Europe gGmbH is the leading point of contact for trustworthy AI both in the local AI ecosystem in Heilbronn and at the European level.
Further information: https://www.appliedai-institute.de/en/
Role within the Impact Accelerator: Cross-location empowerment and support for all stakeholders in the field of technology-driven innovation and digital product development.
UnternehmerTUM in Munich is Europe's largest start-up and innovation center. With its proximity to the Technical University of Munich (TUM), it is primarily known for successful high-tech startups. Its particular expertise lies in promoting scalable business models and innovative solutions and developing them into successful start-ups.
In 2024, UnternehmerTUM's diverse programs saw over 500 innovation projects carried out with more than 300 corporate partners and over 17,000 talented individuals trained. This ecosystem has given rise to over 1,100 (pre-)incubation projects and more than 120 start-ups. A total of over two billion euros in venture capital and start-up financing has been mobilized.
Further information: https://www.unternehmertum.de/en
Behind the Impact Accelerator are six strong partners with established programs that can provide you with optimal support and networking opportunities, both as a startup and as an individual.
We want to help you become an “Impact Unicorn”!
Eure Vorteile:
Participation in established programs at the participating innovation centers that match your topic and field of activity
Visibility in the tech and social impact scene–inspiration from tech entrepreneurs
Support with the implementation of high-tech components in your product or company
Collaborate with design, tech, and marketing talents who complement and expand your team
Preparing for scaling—both technically and organizationally
Access to knowledge and experts from the networks of the participating innovation centers
Provision of resources and infrastructure such as software, cloud services, prototyping tools, automation tools, office space, etc.
Contact with social impact investors and other financiers
Access to potential customers
Experience an impact startup in the early stages of scaling.
Das kannst du erwarten:
Full-time position in a startup with social impact for at least three months
Prospect of continuation or permanent position
Unique experience as an employee in a young startup on the path to scaling up
A job with meaning and purpose
Scholarship of €1,000 per month
We are looking for non-profit organizations or companies that have the potential to become impact unicorns. With founders who think big and want to scale up.
Your Profile:
You solve a problem in the areas of AI in GovTech, citizen entrepreneurship & democracy, EdTech, or GreenTech.
The “problem-solution fit” has been proven, i.e., initial users are utilizing your solution.
You are active in a relevant market, or your target group has sufficient potential to become an “Impact Unicorn.”
We are looking for innovative individuals from the tech, design, or marketing sectors who are seeking meaningful work and aspire to a position in a public welfare-oriented organization or company.
Dein Profil:
You have a bachelor's degree in computer science, interaction design, marketing, or a similar field.
You are highly motivated, flexible, and want to work in a startup environment.
You want to change society for the better.
You want to solve problems and think in terms of solutions.
The problems users face, and the product's usability, form the basis of your approach.
You have initial experience in digital product development and agile working methods in a cross-functional product team.
You are a strong communicator and a real team player.
You speak English fluently and can participate in German conversations (B1; C1 for marketing).
You are available full-time from January 12 to March 27, 2026.
Submit Aour Application!
Selection will be made on an ongoing basis based on the applications received. So be quick—apply now—places are limited! Applying is quick and easy: we need a pitch deck, a brief introduction to the existing team, a description of the problem you want to solve, and some information about your business model. We are also interested in hearing what you expect from our program.
Selection of The Winning Teams
A jury of independent experts will select the winners and, by extension, the participating teams.
Revealing The Teams
Location: Munich
Presentation of the teams participating in the Impact Accelerator as part of UnternehmerTUM's Ultimate Demo Day. We expect high-ranking guests from the social impact sector, foundations, and investors to attend the event.
Program Launch
Locations: Bielefeld, Heilbronn, Leipzig, Rostock
Tailored to your needs, your current status, and depending on your topic, you will begin the Accelerator Program at one of the participating institutions:
Campus Founders
Specialization: AI in GovTech
Location: Heilbronn
Founders Foundation
Specialization: EdTech
Location: Bielefeld
Public Value Hub
Specialization: Citizen Entrepreneurship
Location: Leipzig
Unisphere Innovation Campus
Specialization: GreenTech
Location: Rostock
Coaches and office space are available on-site. Your respective partner will assist you with travel and accommodation arrangements.
Final Presentation
Location: Heilbronn
Presentation of the results at appliedAI's “Shaping The Future” event.
Submit Your Application!
We review and evaluate applications on an ongoing basis. So be quick—apply now—places are limited! Applying is fast and easy: all we need is your resume, a short statement explaining your motivation for participating (optional), and a few examples of your previous projects, e.g., in the form of a (virtual) portfolio, links to projects, or GitHub links.
Interview And selection
Ort: Remote/online
After a preliminary selection, we will invite you to a short interview to get to know you. We will then decide whether you can join us.
Matching With Startups
Based on your knowledge and experience, as well as your personal situation and preferences, we will put you in touch with the participating startups. Hopefully, this will result in the perfect match for the coming months!
Program Launch
Locations: Bielefeld, Heilbronn, Leipzig, Rostock
Today marks the beginning of your journey in a team that will (potentially) change society!
Depending on the topic and team, this will take place at the location of one of the participating institutions:
Campus Founders
Specialization: AI in GovTech
Location: Heilbronn
Founders Foundation
Specialization: EdTech
Location: Bielefeld
Public Value Hub
Specialization: Citizen Entrepreneurship
Location: Leipzig
Unisphere Innovation Campus
Specialization: GreenTech
Location: Rostock
Coaches and office space are available on site. Your respective partner will assist you with travel and accommodation arrangements.
Final Presentation
Location: Heilbronn
Presentation of the results at appliedAI's “Shaping The Future” event.
Are you a team or startup working in the fields of AI in GovTech, citizen entrepreneurship, EdTech, or GreenTech?
Is your vision to become an impact unicorn?
The application period for startup teams has already ended.
Are you an innovator in the field of technology, design, or marketing? Do you want to be there when a startup takes off? Are you looking for a meaningful job?
The application phase for innovators has already ended.
