Gateway Accelerator

We make ideas work — in six months with you!

Gateway Accelerator is the team and leadership accelerator.

By focusing on the professional and personal development of all start-up team members, our tailored program creates value beyond providing standard start-up knowledge.

With our strong ties to the University of Cologne, we offer a broad, international network and link you to mentors from our science and alumni community.

We foster teams to be resilient, to be quicker and of course to be successful! In doing so, we focus on teamwork and mindset. Together with you, we want you to succeed in making your ideas work.

New Batch starting soon!

The Accelerator #Batch 3 starts in early November with the eight finalists from the C3 Campus Competition Cologne. The program is six months long. Learn more about the competition here.

Resilient, Quick, Successful

The Gateway Accelerator is a tailor-made program for knowledge-led and technology-based start-ups teams from the university scene.

The program is focused on social-, knowledge- or technology-based startups. This way, we can tailor and provide you with the smartest brains in these fields.

It starts every year from September to February and takes 6 month.

Did you know? Social and Green Start-ups are very welcome, too.

The C3 Campus Competition Cologne is your ticket to the Gateway Accelerator

Gateway Accelerator Batch #2 - Demo Day 2023 Recap

Meet the teams from Batch #2

Detechgene

Simple and precise detection of pathogens. Detechgene tests are as precise as a PCR performed in the laboratory.

axess Intelligence

axess Intelligence provides data and tools that aid in the tracking and analysis of the customer relationship management strategies employed by competitors.

dreaMENU

dreaMENU is a provider of digital menus and ordering systems for restaurants.

grievy

grievy helps mourners worldwide with a trustworthy, low barrier, and instant solution for their grieving process.

RAYNY

RAYNY is an app-based platform that helps organizations promote well-being, sustainability, and social responsibility.

THE OATER

THE OATER machine produces fresh, barista-quality oat drink at the push of a button.

werdetnachbarn.de

Build and buy real estate together at werdetnachbarn.de. The affordable way into one's own home!

5 challenges we know university start-ups in early founding stages need help with

team development to realize their true potential.

problems concerning market entry.

business model needs optimization or market testing.

marketing & sales strategy need more consideration.

analysis of international market potential.

Our Gateway accelerator is pretty unique, actually.

You don't need to share any equity with us! It's for free. Awesome, right?

Challenge accepted!

The Gateway Accelerator is a university-based program specified on the challenges of university start-ups by heart. We help you to address these stumbling blocks and rise above and beyond. We provide you with a customized program that addresses your needs and questions.

We have more than 30 mentors!

Check out all the smart people from different industries helping you build your start-up.

The C3 Campus Competition Cologne is your ticket to the Gateway Accelerator

Check out our FAQs about the application and the program

What we will focus on together with you

Team building

We help you to build a team that brings all the important skills to the table.

Internationalization

Gateway Accelerator follows an international approach to get your start-up ready for international markets.

Leadership Culture

We look to a modern leadership culture with you and your team.

Market entry & strategy

We help you to get ready for market entry. If you already took that step, we can help you to refine your market strategy.

Reasons to join our Accelerator

Focus on social, knowledge- and technology-based start-ups 🚀

Vast national & international network of companies, investors, institutions and mentors 🤝

Free program - you don't need to share any equity with us! 💸

Six month program: September till March 📅

One Year Co-Working in our Gateway Workspace @ InnoDom Cologne

Individualised workshops and 1:1 sessions with experts tailored to your needs

The teams from Batch #1

SIEVE Plastic

SIEVE Fins produces surf fins from recycled plastic. The motivation was born from the idea to value plastic more in order to not treat it as a waste but a valuable resource. We launched our fins in September and are constantly working on the development of the product to make them even more sustainable.

Compounder

Compounder is a centralized platform which makes the study orientation, application and admission process for prospective students and universities in Germany more efficient.