Left and right brain - logical and rational thinking vs. emotion and intuition

Within this focus area, we strengthen Germany’s start-up ecosystem along two core workstreams: Mission Gründungsland and impact-driven entrepreneurship. Together, they aim to make the ecosystem more diverse, impact-oriented and high-performing. 

Mission Gründungsland focuses on structural reforms and the coordinated positioning of key stakeholders. Impact-driven entrepreneurship strengthens the integration of social and environmental impact into business models. In this way, we combine systemic change with practical tools for founders, investors and support organisations.  

Our goal is a start-up ecosystem that combines innovation capacity, social participation and environmental responsibility. 

Foto Cornelia Rittmeyer
Cornelia Rittmeyer
Senior Project Manager
Foto Julia Scheerer
Julia Scheerer
Senior Project Manager
Foto Jennifer Eschweiler
Dr. Jennifer Eschweiler
Project Manager
Foto Melanie Wodniok
Melanie Wodniok
Project Manager
Foto Ingeborg Dannich-Witt
Ingeborg Dannich-Witt
Project Assistant
Foto Pia Paulini
Pia Paulini
Senior Project Assistant
Foto Monika Pavenstädt
Monika Pavenstädt
Project Assistant

Mission Gründungsland – improving framework conditions

Through Mission Gründungsland, we initiate a coalition of key organisations active in the field of entrepreneurship. Together, we develop a shared vision for a diverse and high-performing ecosystem, generate evidence-based reform proposals and contribute coordinated positions to political decision-making processes. In line with a collective action approach, this creates a unified voice for entrepreneurship reforms. 

A central objective is to better leverage untapped entrepreneurial potential in society. Women, people with a migration background, young people and individuals without an academic background remain underrepresented. 

Inclusive entrepreneurship – part of the mission 

With the initiative “Gründen ohne Grenzen” (“Entrepreneurship without Barriers”), we specifically address these challenges. We identify structural barriers to accessing entrepreneurial opportunities, develop concrete solutions and systematically feed practical insights into the broader coalition. At the same time, we highlight diverse role models and promote a more inclusive understanding of entrepreneurship. 

Impact-driven entrepreneurship – integrating impact

Impact-driven entrepreneurship strengthens founders’ ability to systematically integrate social and environmental impact into their business models. The aim is to foster an impact-oriented start-up ecosystem that combines innovation with societal responsibility. 

 In addition to practical tools such as the IMMPACT Guide, we expand the knowledge base on impact-driven entrepreneurship and impact investing through analyses and studies in collaboration with partners such as PHINEO, the Social Entrepreneurship Network Germany (SEND) and the German Impact Investing Association (BVII). 

Shared impact perspective

Mission Gründungsland and impact-driven entrepreneurship follow a shared approach to achieving impact:  

  • structural reforms and coordinated positioning (system level) 

  • capacity building and practical tools for impact (application level) 

  • activation of untapped societal potential (participation level) 

This contributes to building a diverse and impact-oriented start-up ecosystem that strengthens innovation and supports the sustainable transformation of the economy and society. 

Partner

Memberships and partnerships

Phineo  

BVII 

SEND 

Impact Europe 

GIIN 

Progress requires innovation and the discovery of new ways of doing things.

Reinhard Mohn

Founder