For Startups

We'll help you gain a foothold in the content industry. Get involved and refine your business model in a practice-oriented way together with potential clients.

Mentoring and feedback from top decision-makers in the book industry
Coaching by the experienced experts Prof. Dr. Harald Henzler and Prof. Dr. Okke Schlüter
Extension of the skillset e.g. through design thinking, presentation training
Validation of the business model
Imparting industry-specific knowledge

Direct cooperation with the first-rate jury, consisting of top decision-makers from various well-known companies
Exchange with the other start-ups at the programme
Free membership in the CONTENTshift startup club for one year
Preferred choice for pitches at Icebreaker Events for networking with industry members and other founders
Invitation to all major industry events and networking meetings as part of the CONTENTshift startup club

€10,000 for the final winner of the competition
Prospects of future investment by or cooperation with jury members
Paid accomodation expenses for one person per startup during programme events

Coverage accompanying the programme and via the channels of the Börsenverein group, the jury and in the media
Big pitch at the Frankfurt Book Fair in front of the industry, investors and the media
Presence on the programme's website and social media channels

This is our first-rate jury 2023!

Your business model is related to the content industry and/or can be applied to the content industry.
Your company is more than an idea
You have a solid product concept
You have a stable team of founders
You have already founded the company

Thank you for your application!

The application phase of the CONTENTshift accelerator 2023 has ended on 8 May.

Important: Ten startups will be preselected and invited to pitch in front of the Jury at a pitch event on 27 June in Frankfurt. Please ensure that you can attend this event. For more information see our programme.

Click here to see the eligibility criteria