Executed by the GACC NY, financed by the DWIH NY

STEP USA University Program 2023

STEP USA University Program © DWIH New York

The STEP USA University Program is a 3-day program for German university startups and spinoffs, who want to scale their business in the USA. Since 2021, this great cooperation between the German-American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (GACC) and the DWIH New York, has helped young companies explore the US market.

To the Pitch Night on December 6, 2023.

New York is one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the world and offers German startups the opportunity to internationalize their business. US venture capital firms specializing in the startup scene are still looking for good business ideas. The economic situation in the USA has stabilized again after the Corona crisis. Several billion-dollar stimulus programs by the U.S. government continue to attract foreign companies to the U.S. market.

Against this background, an entry into the US market opens up good opportunities right now. During the trip to New York, the startups will learn what is important when entering the US market and how the startup and venture capital scene in the US works.

To specifically meet the needs of the fast-growing and dynamic scene of university startups and spin-offs, the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) and the German American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (GACC) in New York offer to bring interested founders to one of the most vibrant startup hotspots.

For three consecutive days, GACC New York and DWIH NY offer participation in customized workshops information on the following topics:

  • US Economic Update
  • Cultural Differences and the way of doing business in the US
  • Legal Requirements: Setting up your U.S. Entity, Visa Regulations, Employment & Product Liability Law
  • Pitching & Story Telling in the US
  • Sales Strategies
  • How to engage with US Investors and Building your Investor Funnel
  • Visits to incubators, meetings with angel investors and mentors

Event Information

December 4 to 6, 2023

New York, NY
Organizer(s): GACC New York, DWIH New York, German Consulate General New York

STEP USA Pitch Night September 2022

The Wednesday evening (December 6) will be dedicated to the pitch night, open to the public. Location: German Consulate General New York.

What are the costs?

The participation fee for the bootcamp for one person normally is 3000 Euro.

But the DWIH will fund 100 percent of these participation fees, so that the participants only have to pay for their own travel expenses and accommodation.

For one week, the costs amount to about 2400 Euro per person (round-trip flight from Germany, inexpensive hotel or hostel and meals). In certain cases, startups may receive financial support by their university, city, or state (Bundesland), please contact your local authorities to see if you might be eligible.

What requirements do I have to meet?

Whether life sciences, IT, humanities and social sciences, materials research or natural sciences – the Start-up Call applies to all research areas! Only the following requirements must be met:

  • Business model is suitable for internationalization
  • Proof of affiliation to a German university (Universität, Fachhochschule – FH, or Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften – HAW)

Application and selection process

The application is now closed!

Please send a short, easy to understand, pitch overview in English to Jan Lüdert (luedert@dwih.org)  and  Andrea Diewald (adiewald@gaccny.com).

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is October 15, 2023 or until all eight spots are filled.

The pitch package should include the following information and be no longer than 5 graphically appealing pages:

  • Description Startup and Innovation
  • Business model with internationalization plans (if any)
  • Status development
  • Benefit of participating in the STEP USA University Program

8 startups may qualify.