Organization · Community
startUp.connect
startUp.connect is a startup support organization based in Offenburg, Germany, serving the Ortenau region. It connects startups with resources, investors, and a network of over 180 companies to facilitate growth and innovation.
Overview
What startUp.connect does
What startUp.connect is
startUp.connect is a startup support organization based in Offenburg, Germany, serving the Ortenau region. It connects startups with resources, investors, and a network of over 180 companies to facilitate growth and innovation.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Community
- Structured capabilities
- Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- April 2, 2026
Official channels
Find startUp.connect elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
startUp.connect as a community
Community overview
startUp.connect, also known as foundersnet, is an organization based in Offenburg, Germany, focused on supporting startups in the Ortenau region. It serves as a central hub for entrepreneurs seeking guidance and resources for starting and growing their businesses. The organization is part of a broader network that includes over 180 companies and various local institutions.
Community focus
startUp.connect provides support to startups in various sectors, particularly in tourism and leisure, as well as smart city and industry contexts. The organization emphasizes sustainable and innovative business practices. It connects startups with investors, mentors, and resources to facilitate growth and development.
Member value
Members gain access to a network of over 180 companies, mentorship from industry experts, workshops to enhance entrepreneurial skills, and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 180
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors · Operators
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community and bootcamp
- Selection criteria
- open
- Sectors
- Smart City
Community activity
- Annual events
- 12
Events and activity
Recurring events include foundersnet Night, a monthly event featuring pitches, keynotes, and networking opportunities for startups and investors; Meet.Ups, regular gatherings for entrepreneurs to share ideas and network; and the Black Forest Hackathon, an annual event focused on innovation and collaboration among tech enthusiasts.
Notable members
Notable startups associated with startUp.connect include sevDesk, Bringman, happyhotel, Retamo, and Powercloud. Key team members include Florian Appel, Uwe Baumann, Yannick Haldenwanger, Swen Laempe, Karl-Heinz Dunker, and Fabian Silberer.
Capability profile
startUp.connect as an event host
Event focus
startUp.connect, also known as foundersnet, is dedicated to supporting startups in various sectors, particularly in tourism and leisure, as well as smart city and industry contexts. The organization emphasizes sustainable and innovative business practices, connecting startups with investors, mentors, and resources to facilitate growth and development.
Format narrative
startUp.connect hosts a variety of events including monthly networking nights, regular meetups for entrepreneurs, and an annual hackathon focused on innovation and collaboration.
Participant value
Attendees benefit from networking opportunities, mentorship from industry experts, and access to resources that can help them grow their businesses.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- meetup, hackathon, and workshop
- Recurrence
- monthly
- Modality
- in-person
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
- Next event location
- Offenburg, Germany
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- Smart City
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Key team members include Florian Appel, Uwe Baumann, Yannick Haldenwanger, Swen Laempe, Karl-Heinz Dunker, and Fabian Silberer.
Past editions
Notable past participants in the Black Forest Accelerator include startups like famigo and happyhotel.
Common questions
What to know about startUp.connect
Upseed classifies startUp.connect under the Community organization type. Its current public profile includes community and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 2, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.