A 12-week founder program in Frankfurt
We help founders outside the DACH region land in Germany, Switzerland or Austria — and DACH founders expand into the other two. No equity. Direct partner network. A base in our Frankfurt offices.
A base in Frankfurt. A company that works.
Starting a company in Germany is not hard because of ideas — it is hard because of notaries, banks, tax offices and a system nobody explains. The West Innovation Hub puts you in one room with the people who handle all of it, for twelve weeks, in our offices in Frankfurt am Main.
You work on your business while we and our partners — notary, Steuerberater, immigration lawyer, insurance broker — take care of the structure around it. No equity, no hidden fees.
Program
Twelve weeks of structured workshops covering market fit, regulatory compliance, banking, and fundraising across Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Network
Curated access to German Mittelstand, Swiss family offices and Austrian growth capital, plus our partner bench of lawyers, tax advisors and brokers.
Infrastructure
A workspace in our Frankfurt offices, on-site workshops and demo day, plus full operational support through West Books.
Built for founders who want to start in Germany.
Founders from outside the EU
You want to build your company in Germany and need structure, a base and people who know the system.
EU and DACH founders
You are expanding into Germany, Switzerland or Austria and want to get it right the first time.
Early-stage teams
You have a product or a clear idea and need a company, a plan and financing — not another pitch contest.
Twelve weeks. Four phases.
- Weeks 1–3Foundation
Strategy intensive, market and legal-form decision, business plan outline, banking preparation.
- Weeks 4–6Setup
Company formed with our partner notary, tax registration, trademark check, bookkeeping set up.
- Weeks 7–9Operate
Contracts, pricing, insurance with our partner broker, first customers, hiring basics in Germany.
- Weeks 10–12Scale
Pitch deck, financing plan, introductions to our partner network and a demo day in Frankfurt.
Choose how you join.
Online
The full program, remotely.
- 12 weekly live workshops (online)
- Workshop materials and templates
- 3 × 1:1 mentoring sessions (60 min)
- Founder community access
- Demo day participation online
Founder
On site in Frankfurt.
- Everything in Online
- Workspace in our Frankfurt am Main offices for 12 weeks
- Workshops on site
- 6 × 1:1 mentoring sessions (60 min)
- Pitch deck review and financing plan review
- Introductions to our partner network
- Demo day on stage in Frankfurt
Launch
Program plus your German company.
- Everything in Founder
- German GmbH or UG formation (notary and register fees at cost)
- 3 months of accounting
- Registered business address set-up
- Priority scheduling for all partner appointments
In the Launch plan, notary, register and government fees are billed at cost.
From application to day one.
- 01Apply
Five minutes online. Tell us what you are building and which plan fits.
- 02Intro call
A 30-minute call to check fit, goals and timing. Free of charge.
- 03Decision
We reply within five working days with an offer for your plan.
- 04Start
Sign, pay the program fee and start with the next cohort in Frankfurt.
Good to know.
In our offices in Frankfurt am Main. Online participants join the workshops remotely.
No. The program fee is the only thing you pay — we never take shares in your company.
Cohorts are capped at 12 founders so every team gets real time with mentors and partners.
We announce dates to shortlisted applicants. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
No. Plan prices are final. Government, notary and register fees in the Launch plan are billed at cost.
The program supports the business side. Visa and residence questions are handled by our partner immigration lawyer — see Visa & Relocation. Visa & Relocation →
Build your company in Frankfurt.
Cohorts are capped at 12 founders. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.