Application 16. March to 30. April 2026

Application period for startups

From 16 March to 30 April 2026, start-up founders can apply to participate in the CONTENTshift innovation programme.
To be eligible, applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Your business model has a connection to the content industry or can be applied to it.
• Your company is more than just an idea.
• You have a solid product concept.
• You have a stable founding team.
• You have already founded the company or are about to do so 

In our online application portal, you can save your application at any time and continue working on it later. Your application is only considered submitted once it has been officially sent.
The questionnaire focuses on your business model, revenue model, team composition and your three‑year plan.

Our tip: Answer the questions realistically, clearly and in sufficient detail.

Important: Ten start-ups will make it to the shortlist and will be invited to a pitch event in Freiburg on June 16 2026. Please save the date!

If you have any questions about the application process, please feel free to get in touch with us at any time.contentshift@buchhandelsverband.de

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