Support systems for blockchain
& DLT companies

Support systems, accelerators, access to investors and funding are important parts of the Berlin Blockchain-Startup Ecosystem. This page gives an overview and entry point to the various support systems startups and other companies can leverage. We highlighted some that are available in Berlin only, but most can be accessed from anywhere.

Investitionsbank Berlin









With a range of programs and initiatives, the IBB supports founders, start-ups and existing companies in Berlin by dispersing government funds.

An example for one of their programmes is the ‘GründungsBONUS‘. This is for young entrepreneurs or freelancers looking to secure growth or if you need capital for a successful start-up phase? The ‘GründungsBONUS’ provides a grant to cover the costs incurred in the first one to two years of your company.

An extensive list of all the programs provided by the IBB can be found here.
Please note: Applications are accepted in German only.

Berlin Partner







A unique public-private partnership, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology collaborates with the Berlin State Senate and over 280 companies dedicated to promoting their city. Berlin Partner is also responsible for marketing the German capital to the world, for example with the successful “be Berlin” campaign.

Financial service
Working closely with you, they will create an optimal funding concept in coordination with Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) and the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises:

Location service
With their Business Location Package, Berlin Partner assists you in finding the right location for your company. Their service is aimed at out-of-town and local companies that require office, lab or production space in Berlin.

Talent services
The Business Talent Package assists you with your search for qualified personnel and the handling of training, qualification and residence permit issues within the scope of your investment project. You will receive individual consulting and support from a single source, free of charge.

Silicon Allee

Silicon Allee supports a community of international startups based in Berlin’s central tech cluster.
The Silicon Allee campus is a 7,500 m2 complex with small to XL offices, apartments, a cafe, a craft beer bar, event spaces and other hidden gems. It serves as the embassy to Berlin’s startup scene – the first point of entry for many.


Funding
They offer an equity-free capital, local support and a global network for early stage founders.
Each year they provide 15 founders with a €24,000 check, taking no equity and giving you the freedom to develop your idea over the course of a one-year residency in Berlin.

Additionally you have the chance to meet their partners who support early stage founders. You get to meet world-class advisors face-to-face and have access to founders of companies like EyeEm, SoundCloud, Skype, Wetransfer, WestTech Ventures, Project A Ventures, Techstars, Prezi,  AngelList, Positive and more.

If you would like to apply for this program you should pitch them your vision.

B-hub for Europe










B-hub for Europe is a Startup Europe/Horizon 2020 supported project dedicated to connecting blockchain innovation ecosystems.

They contribute to blockchain development by leveraging European technological excellence and supporting the growth of business integrating blockchain. B-hub’s offer is threefold:

Acceleration services program
As blockchain startup you can apply for a voucher opening access to a series of acceleration services. These services may take the form of one-on-one mentoring, workshops, meetings, webinars but also participation to events or pitch-session depending on the needs expressed by startups. They include the following services:

At the time of writing this (09.06.2020) the application is not yet open. We would advise you to subscribe to their newsletter in order to receive a notification once the application is open.

NGI

Through an agile and flexible process, following the Horizon 2020 cascade funding mechanism, ongoing NGI Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) provide support to projects from outstanding academic researchers, hi-tech startups and SMEs.

Funding is allocated to projects using short research cycles targeting the most promising ideas.
If you won an NGI open call, you are eligible to benefit from the free-of-charge business support services of TETRA – the business accelerator for NGI. Through bootcamps, webinars and remote consulting, TETRA will provide NGI beneficiaries with training and mentoring.

There are several open calls which might be worth for you to check out.

Blockrocket










The goal of BLOCKROCKET is to support and massively accelerate blockchain startups in launching and growing their business model (e.g., by initiating face-to-face contacts with blockchain leads of corporates for valuable cooperations), to provide a stage for startups to increase their visibility, and to offer a powerful network of investors, corporates, service providers, law firms and professionals in the blockchain space.

BLOCKROCKET is an early-stage investor and accelerator program for blockchain startups in Germany that was launched in early 2019 by various fintech veterans in Germany.
The program consists of three different stages. Since 2019 blockchain startups can apply online for Stage 1 (Stage 2 and Stage 3 are accessible afterwards).

Outlier Ventures Base Camp




The Base Camp includes support with recruiting, financing. It also provides a launch pad for pre-seed projects anywhere in Europe. Providing product support, hub services, and partnering with you on your web 3 concept.

Block.IS – Catalyzing Blockchain Innovation






Block.IS offers a holistic portfolio of technical and business support services to catalyze Blockchain adoption – cross-sector/border.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

Block.IS is investing up to €60,000 of equity-free funding and provides Tailor-made technical support & Business support as well as 1-on 1-mentorship. They are looking for innovative Startups & SMEs ready to catalyze their Blockchain-based ideas within agrifood, logistics and finance sectors.

How to apply
Submit your application via the F6S Platform until July 22nd, 2020 (17:00 CEST)

ICONIC LAB






The Iconic Lab VC and award winning accelerator program invests capital and resources into the most promising blockchain and crypto projects offering premium investment opportunities to their investor network.
Iconic Lab collaborates with FinLab, who manages a €100 million EOS venture fund backed by block.one, the publisher of EOS, performing due diligence for fund investments and leading EOS ICO campaigns.

Iconic Lab guides startup teams from ideation all the way through global scaling, taking an industry agnostic approach, financing and accelerating blockchain startups in AI, gaming, energy and various other verticals.

Apply to the accelerator

Block Start

BlockStart is a pan-European DLT/ blockchain partnership program. They are looking for seed-, early- and growth-stage startups/ SMEs from all over the EU and H2020 associated countries, and provide the chance to build goal-oriented, business focused, and mutually beneficial partnerships with SME adopters of blockchain solutions.

They are offering a 3-stage partnership program. Each DLT/ blockchain startup receives a grant (equity-free) of up to €20,000, tailored tech and business mentoring.

Applications opening: June/ July 2020

Berlin offers many support systems to blockchain startups you can profit from, ranging from general incorporation support, to a selection of high quality incubation and acceleration programs. This is fundamental for Berlin to attract the right companies and talent. Whether you are a new startup working on blockchain technology or an established business looking to incorporate DLT into your processes, these programs can help you succeed and finance your needs.

Do you represent or know about another program that should be listed on this page? Reach out to us on hello@berchain.com.