Each year we provide 15 founders with a €24,000 check, taking no equity and giving you the freedom to develop your idea over the course of a one-year residency in Berlin. We're here to extend your startup's runway. We do not micro manage. Our goal is to connect you with our kick ass network of founders, venture capitalists and supporters as well as remove your early stage hurdles.
We have gathered a qualified group of friends and partners to support early stage founders in-person. Our BFF founders get to meet world-class advisors face-to-face but everyone is invited to join our open events and have access to founders of companies like EyeEm, SoundCloud, Skype, Wetransfer, WestTech Ventures, Project A Ventures, Techstars, Prezi, AngelList, Positive and more.
The Silicon Allee Campus has 14 beautifully-furnished apartments to rent to entrepreneurs new to Berlin. They are available on a first come first served basis.
Our campus hosts some of Berlin’s most notable VCs, startups and tech companies. Take advantage of workspace here or we’ll get you a deal to work from one of our partner coworking spaces around the city.
Join and listen to renowned Berlin founders who have faced the same struggles you are facing. We host regular workshops and organize 1-on-1 sessions with portfolio companies.
From large-scale fireside chats with industry titans to more intimate private dinners, we want to bring valuable activities to our funded founders and encourage them to make the right connections. We have a long history in building quality Berlin event series.
As an early stage founder you need the right support when it comes to incorporating, shareholder structure, IP and other topics to make your startup investment ready. We offer free legal support and the right contacts to get you sorted here in Berlin.
Over the years Berlin has become one of the most renowned startup hubs in the world. It’s increasingly difficult to get grounded here and plug into the right network. We’ve set up the right resources and team to ensure you have a soft landing.
Meetups, Fireside Chats, Startup Pitches
Our events schedule is jam-packed. Join meetups, fireside chats and startup pitches to expand your network.
Welcome to Berlin
Berlin is a hotbed of startups, music, nightlife, and unexpected creativity of all kinds and our campus is at the center of it.
Get a Head Start in Berlin
We actively try to connect our members to the resources they need to get started in Berlin, whether that's getting a visa, finding a job or landing some investment.
Founders, Investors, Technologists
Our network is made up of some of the most successful founders, investors and supporters in Berlin and abroad.
Connect, Co-found, Party
We are constantly hosting and sourcing the highest-quality networking events for our community.
Workspace, Coliving, Events
Live in our furnished apartments, work on our campus or take meetings in our coffee bar. We've got plenty of space for you.
It means we provide funding but do not take any equity in exchange. We provide founders 2,000€ per month for up to one year.
We try to keep the application process short and sweet. Apply here. Be sure to include a pitch deck. We encourage you to submit your application in English, as many of our reviewers, mentors and community only speak English.
Yes. We will fund up to three cofounders through our funding, but reserve the right to only choose just one founder if necessary. Please only submit one application per team, though.
We’re looking for early stage founders who are not funded but might be already speaking to potential angel investors. They likely have an early MVP and need financial support to focus on their idea full time. Founders should be looking to grow their business internationally but be based in Berlin.
Our team reviews each application individually and will follow-up with any potential questions or feedback. We like to invite short-listed candidates for a 1-on-1 meeting to try and understand a bit more about the founder and their startup.
Be present. We host lots of open events related to BFF and additional activities on campus. The best way to let the team know you’re a great candidate is to be more involved in our day to day operations here on site. Our monthly meetup is a great place to start, for example.
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we know you don’t need a babysitter. Each month, we bring in world-class speakers for you to hear from and connect with. We do organize additional social and educational activities that may be valuable for you, but allow you to decide if you would like to join or not. The funding lasts for up to one year, and we expect you to remain in Berlin for an additional two years after this.
Yes, this isn’t a problem. The main requirement however is that you move to Berlin, but our team can support you with this should you be selected.
It depends. Be sure to clarify why you need this funding to support your living costs in addition to the financing that you have raised. Our goal is to support founders who cannot work full time on their ideas.
You can apply, but you must quit your job if you would be accepted by us. Founders who receive funding must be focused full time on building their startup.
Yes. Our team will work closely with you to get a work visa should you be accepted.
We are the team behind Silicon Allee. Our founders are experienced entrepreneurs who have been supporting the Berlin and European startup ecosystem for over a decade. The rest of our team has a depth of experience in community and event management and are here to ensure that your setup in Berlin is smooth and hassle free and you make the right connections to hone your business.
The Berlin Founders Fund is financed through the European Social Fund and the State of Berlin. These are our first “LPs”. We launched BFF in this constellation to bring more jobs to Berlin and support the foundation of more startups.
BFF is based in the Silicon Allee Campus, at the heart of the Berlin tech scene. You can often find us downstairs in our coffee shop R/D.
Feel free to contact bff@siliconallee.com should you have any additional questions.
BFF is funded by the European Union (European Social Fund) and the State of Berlin.
Have an idea and want to start it in Berlin?
Pitch Us
Successful founder, investor or startup supporter?
Get involved
Interested in Investing?
Drop us a line
Silicon Allee Campus
Chausseestr. 19
10115 Berlin
Germany
bff@siliconallee.com
Phone: (+49) 162 7400610