The fellowship provided by the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS) covers flight, housing and coaching costs, enabling one person per startup to get first-hand insights into the business opportunities in the Stuttgart Region.
Startup Welcome Package
“Startups go & grow where their customers are and where they feel welcome.”
The Startup Welcome Package is a dynamic fellowship program designed to introduce and immerse international startups and young tech companies into the thriving innovation ecosystem of the Stuttgart Region, Germany. This unique initiative combines both online and on-site sessions to provide an all-encompassing experience for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in this vibrant tech hub. Step towards your professional and personal transformation and activate hidden resources and allow success to happen!
The fellowship provided by the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS) covers flight, housing and coaching costs, enabling one person per startup to get first-hand insights into the business opportunities in the Stuttgart Region.
How it works: online + on-site program
Online Phase: Market Discovery & Validation
5 weeks: 1.5 hours working session + 1.5 hours input session per week
The online part of the program enables international startups and young tech companies to understand the region's business climate, investment opportunities, and innovation trends from the comfort of their own workspace. You gain valuable insights into the Stuttgart Region's entrepreneurial ecosystem to validate, if it is the right market for your business. On top you have the opportunity to reach out to local experts, industry leaders, and local support networks, fostering a valuable network for the following on-site program and your future success.
On-site Phase: Market Access
10 intense days in the Stuttgart Region
Qualified startups and young tech companies embark on an on-site session, where they can experience the vibrant startup scene of the Stuttgart Region firsthand. During these days you connect with local resources, visit innovation hubs and network with potential collaborators or investors during events or individual meetings. In addition to the professional insights, the program also offers a unique chance to explore the life and leisure opportunities the Stuttgart Region has to offer: swabian cuisine and wine, a vibrant city with a rich cultural scene surrounded by picturesque landscapes.
Batch Timeline for 2025
Batch #8 powered by CARS 2.0
Online Session | 29th April 2025 for 5 weeks | 1,5 hours scheduled peer sessions per week + 1,5 hours working session at your own pace
On-Site Program | 1st July - 10th July 2025
Batch #9 powered by IT Hardware
Online Session | September 2025 for 5 weeks | 1,5 hours scheduled peer sessions per week + 1,5 hours working session at your own pace
On-Site Program | November 2025
Key Industries for Program Participation
Batch #7 and #8 Focus Areas
We are looking for startups and young tech companies specializing in:
- Automotive & Mobility: Vehicle manufacturing for individual and mass transit, autonomous driving (ADAS), and delivery robotics.
- Innovative Materials: Lightweight construction, adaptive surfaces, AR/VR vehicle applications, and advanced coating technologies.
- IT & Digitalization: Automotive cybersecurity, AI-driven production optimization, connectivity solutions, autonomous system tools and Industry 4.0
- Energy Solutions: Battery innovations (including recycling), hydrogen-powered technologies, synthetic fuels and quantum technology
A prerequisite for participating in the program is that applicants must already have initial customers in their home country.
Batch #9 Focus Area is IT-Hardware:
- Semiconductors, microchips
- Sensors
- Cognitive robotics
- Quantum technology
The compact and guided program allows you to make the most of your time on-site:
Full Cost Coverage
Get access to local Corporates
Guidance and Individual Mentorings
Expert Insights
Community & Workplace
Cultural Experience
Personal Development
„Understanding how to incorporate a company and solve all visa issues in Germany was very important. At the same time, the B2B sales topic that we had helped me a lot to validate our process and improve our tools.“
Startup Welcome Package Partners
All of us want to bring more talent to the region. For many different reasons. But mostly because we love the Stuttgart Region and want to assist more companies in their growth here.
Initiator of the Startup Welcome Package
The Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS) is the central point of contact for investors and companies in the city of Stuttgart and the five surrounding districts. WRS makes the qualities of the business location known, supports companies in settling in the region and promotes the development of the site with numerous projects and offers.
Service Provider of the Startup Welcome Package
Pioniergeist orchestrates an innovation ecosystem consisting of startups, corporates, universities and investors to revive the pioneering spirit in the heart of Europe, in Baden-Württemberg. Their startup hub STEYG is a place for encounters of this ecosystem. A nucleus of authentic startup culture. For example, founders, students, businesses and investors meet here to learn with and from each other.
Partner of Batch 7 & 8 of the Startup Welcome Package
The Transformation Network for Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (CARS 2.0) cluster aims to support start-ups as well as small and medium-sized companies from the automotive and mechanical engineering sector in the Stuttgart and Neckar-Alb regions in their successful transformation. CARS 2.0 is a joint project between various partners and uses the specific expertise of those involved to provide the target group with the best possible support.
Baden-Württemberg international works towards securing and enhancing Baden-Württemberg’s position as a location for business and science in the long term. We do this by attracting businesses to the region as well as through collaboration and talent recruitment.