GATEWAY49 is a start-up accelerator from Schleswig-Holstein that promotes new ventures and innovation, advancing start-ups in Schleswig-Holstein sustainably. Since September 2024, GATEWAY49 has also been the host for the de:hub Renewable Energy, part of the nationwide de:hub initiative by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Up to 20 teams in different phases of company formation are guided towards market readiness by GATEWAY49 through a structured coaching and mentoring programme, or supported in scaling their existing business. All early-stage and late-stage teams receive financial support of up to €35,000 per year. Start-ups and prospective founders on the Energy Coast can apply for the programme immediately.

GATEWAY49 Promotes Innovative Founding Ideas

GATEWAY49 has its headquarters in Lübeck, but since 2023 the start-up accelerator has been establishing additional "satellite locations" such as Flensburg, Neumünster and Norderstedt throughout the state to support founders directly on-site with their start-up projects. The newest satellite in this universe is the West Coast Satellite, which GATEWAY49 has established in close cooperation with the Centre for Applied Technologies GmbH in Meldorf (CAT) and which will drive forward the concentrated founding potential of the entire west coast in future. The application deadline for start-up teams from the districts of North Frisia, Dithmarschen, Steinburg and Pinneberg for the coaching and mentoring programme has been running since early November and ends end of January 2026.

Start-ups and prospective founders with a forward-looking, scalable idea can apply, with the sectors of energy industry, maritime technologies, life science, smart city, logistics, space, food industry and construction offering the greatest range of support opportunities for GATEWAY49 according to their own statement. Teams accepted into the programme get the chance to work with coaches and mentors from renowned companies over nine months to refine their own idea, make it market-ready and establish rapid contact with regional markets. Early-stage teams receive up to €35,000 financial support without having to give up company shares.

Advanced start-ups can also apply to GATEWAY49. The so-called later-stage teams receive €5,000 funding and benefit equally from the academy programme, coaching, mentoring and especially the network.

Extra Support for Existing Renewable Energy Companies

Particularly interesting for the Energy Coast: Since this year, GATEWAY49 has been supporting five selected energy start-ups as an official de:hub with the Excellence Track Renewable Energy with 6-month coaching, support for scaling, financing, a strong nationwide network and access to pilot projects. This programme is aimed at advanced start-ups from across Germany who receive exclusive access to the ecosystem in Schleswig-Holstein.

Welcome: Support from Industry

For its young West Coast Satellite, GATEWAY49 is looking for experienced entrepreneurs alongside founding teams who would like to engage as mentors and/or financially support the funding programmes, which are 50% funded by state resources. Besides coaches from the private sector, the following Energy Coast network partners are already on board:

• NIC – North Frisian Innovation Centre in Niebüll
• CAT – Centre for Applied Technologies in Meldorf
• IZET – Innovation Centre in Itzehoe
• WEP - Economic Development in Pinneberg
• Economic Development North Frisia
• Development Company West Holstein
• West Coast University of Applied Sciences

All information about GATEWAY49 and contact details for applicants can be found at https://gateway49.com/.