RESPOND Accelerator Program

The RESPOND Accelerator of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt offers a six-month, free support program for innovation-oriented start-ups in the clean-tech and urban-tech sectors based in the EU. Participants complete interactive online modules and attend three in-person events in Germany and other European cities. The goal is to support founders and young companies in scaling their business models while promoting positive social and ecological impact. The program does not take equity and covers travel expenses for the in-person meetings, allowing the focus to be entirely on content and organizational support.

At the core are tailored coaching and mentoring offerings aligned with the individual challenges in leadership, financing, and market entry. Access to an international network of experts, investors, and entrepreneurs opens up a wide range of partnership opportunities and visibility on global platforms. Selection criteria include the potential for social impact, level of innovation, value-driven leadership skills, and scalability of the business model. The program targets founders and start-ups who want to take responsibility and combine growth with sustainable impact. Interested teams can seize the unique opportunity to further develop their projects in a mission-driven environment and become part of the BMW Foundation’s global Responsible Leaders Network.