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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

Direct cooperation with the first-rate jury, consisting of top decision-makers from various well-known companies
Exchange with the other startups at the programme

€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
Major pitch event at the Frankfurt Book Fair at the THE LÄND booth, where the six final start-ups present in front of industry representatives, investors, and media.
All ten preselected start-ups will have the opportunity to showcase themselves at the THE LÄND booth at the Frankfurt Book Fair from 7–11 October 2026 — an ideal platform to gain visibility and build international connections.
Visibility on the program’s website and social media channels.

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

The application phase of the CONTENTshift innovation programme 2026 will continue until 30 April 2026.

Important: Ten start-ups will be shortlisted and invited to present themselves to the jury at a pitch event in mid‑June in Frankfurt. The exact date will be announced shortly.
You can find more information about the accelerator process on the programme page.

Click here to see the eligibility criteria