
We are looking for impact startups that are doing climate action, making our democracies more resilent, or developing solutions for displaced people.
The application period is open until October 8.
Apply for our 5‑month incubator & accelerator program in less than 3 minutes
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Our Mission:
Empowering impact startups in creating solutions for a world of crises
We support impact startups in tackling the world’s most pressing crises through our incubator and accelerator programs.
The world is full of crisis
The war in Ukraine, the climate crisis, the loss of biodiversity and mass extinction, the crisis of democracy…
Transforming our economy
from cause to solution
Our economic system should be transformed from causing to solving many of these crises. We don’t need short-term profit maximisation at the expense of people and environment.
We need sustainable business models that serve society in the long term and ensure our survival.

System change with impact startups
Impact startups plays a key role in addressing the various, constantly changing crises and challenges we face in society. They addresses one or more UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) at the core of its business. This means: if you remove the impact you also remove the business.
Mindset Shift:
Impact becomes the new normal
What if every founder would develop new business models and approaches to make our world more livable and sustainable? All new startups would be impact startups! Their success could motivate established companies to change their business models and practices.
Do you have an idea for a solution?
For solutions to long-term crises within the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Or quick solutions to acute crises such as the 2015/2016 refugee crisis, the COVID-19 crisis, and the current war against Ukraine?
We can help you with our accelerator program
In our accelerator program, we will guide you for 5 months to turn your idea into reality.
We offer you access to funding, coaching from experienced mentors, access to our network. We will work side by side at bUm. A co-working space for social entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations and activists.
It’s a match?
We support startups in all stages. Do you have an almost finished prototype that you can test or an existing startup that you want to bring to a new level? Your team consists of at least two founders. Non-profit as well as for-profit organizations can apply.
Fighting Climate Change
Making our Democracies More Resilient
Supporting Displaced People
Our current program: Ukraine response
We are looking for innovative approaches as one solution to address the effects of the war against Ukraine. Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022 and the acts of violence have changed the world. The violence has upended the lives of millions of Ukrainians. Therefore the issues range from refugee crisis, reconstruction, food insecurity and energy supply to health and legal issues and among others. We are open to many topics as long as they create impact.
Ukraine Response Program #2
Timeline

Our team
We are a diverse and interdisciplinary team of impact-oriented professionals with many years of startup experience.
We are well connected in the impact community. Let’s connect!

Ask us anything
Do you have any questions?
We can chat here.
If you encounter any technical or other difficulties while submitting your online application, please feel free to reach out to us.

Need a 1:1 call?
Want feedback on your documents before you apply? Lets make an appointment for a video call as soon as possible. Someone from the PHINEO Startups team will give feedback on your pitch deck. After that, you have until the end of the submission period to integrate our feedback into your application.
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Our participants
Connect with our current participants.
Our alumni
Connect with our former participants.
Our startups
These startups participated in our accelerator program:
In the press
Esper Bionics, is included in TIME magazine’s list of the best inventions of 2022. The self-learning prosthetic hand powered by artificial intelligence (AI) was named a groundbreaking invention in the accessibility category and will appear on the magazine’s cover.

Our Partners









PHINEO Startups wird im Rahmen des Programms „REACT with impact – Förderung des Sozialunternehmertums“ des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz unterstützt und von der Europäischen Union als Teil der Reaktion der Union auf die COVID-19-Pandemie (REACT-EU) finanziert.
