Expanding into the DACH region (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) has long held considerable promise for startups from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Geographical proximity, significant market size, and historically interconnected ecosystems make DACH a natural expansion destination. However, despite these advantages, startups at the earliest stages from CEE frequently encounter substantial barriers when entering the DACH markets.
One of the primary challenges for early-stage startups (pre-funding; around the MVP stage) is building robust, localized networks from scratch. Understanding specific market nuances, securing trusted local partners, and establishing connections with corporate clients and investors can take years if attempted independently. Speed is one of the main strengths of a startup, so slowing down is not really an option for a founder aiming to become a global leader.
Enter Venturecake
Addressing these barriers directly is the Venturecake accelerator, the latest evolution of the highly successful WeXelerate ecosystem. Over the past eight years, Vienna-based WeXelerate has established itself as a pivotal player in the Austrian and DACH startup landscape, supporting over 200 startups that collectively raised more than €650 million. The community’s strength lies in its extensive network of investors, industry-leading corporates, policymakers, and experienced founders.
As Domagoj Dolinsek, Croatian co-founder of PlanRadar, Europe’s leading digital management platform for construction, which has raised over €91 million, emphasizes, “Startups need more than just ideas – they need a strong ecosystem, and WeXelerate is building exactly that.”
Connecting Startups with Leading Corporates from the DACH region
A key component of Venturecake’s offering is the direct connection of startups with over 80 innovation-driven corporates across diverse sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, energy, retail, healthcare, agriculture, and construction. Participating startups gain direct access to potential B2B customers, strategic partnerships, and insights from major brands such as Erste Bank, UNIQA, Santander, N26, Raiffeisenbank, T-Mobile, Brantner, ABB, Walter Group, OMV, Borealis, SPAR, REWE, and Roche, among others.
Tailored Access to Funding and Investor Networks
Another critical benefit provided by Venturecake is tailored access to funding opportunities. Startups gain direct exposure to influential venture capitalists and decision-makers from firms like SpeedInvest, Elevator Ventures, 15 Invest, Push Ventures, and Invest Austria, significantly enhancing their fundraising capabilities. Additionally, they can leverage Austria’s attractive public funding landscape, accessing key public institutions such as FFG, WKO, Vienna Business Agency, and Austria Business Agency. This comprehensive combination of private and public funding ensures each startup receives strategic guidance tailored to their unique growth objectives.
Mentorship from Experienced Founders
Startups in Venturecake receive expert guidance from over 50 mentors, including seasoned founders who have successfully navigated funding rounds and exits. These experienced mentors offer deep-dive knowledge sessions covering critical business areas, such as funding, product and technology development, growth marketing, sales, partnerships, human resources, finance, legal aspects, IP management, and specific industry expertise. This strong founder-backed mentorship accelerates growth and enhances strategic decision-making.
Amplified Visibility through Venturecake Channels
Visibility is another significant advantage of participating in Venturecake. Startups benefit from promotion across diverse channels, including newsletters, social media, events, and community hubs. Strategic communication and event partnerships are utilized to position startups effectively, ensuring maximum impact aligned with their individual goals.
Unique Co-Ownership Model: “Add a layer, take a slice”
Venturecake’s innovative “Add a layer, take a slice” co-ownership model fosters deep collaboration and mutual success among startup cohorts. Each accelerator batch forms a dedicated Batch Entity, into which every startup contributes 4% equity. In return, each founder gains a 4% stake in this collective entity, aligning incentives and fostering a community-driven mindset. This structure encourages shared growth, mutual support, and long-lasting relationships among founders, significantly amplifying their combined market strength.
A Gateway for CEE Startups
Participation in Venturecake requires the intention to establish a company in Vienna, though relocation is not mandatory. Reliable attendance during key accelerator phases is expected to fully capitalize on the program’s offerings.
Venturecake particularly encourages applications from startups in Central and Eastern Europe, underscoring its commitment to enhancing regional growth and integration within Europe’s broader innovation landscape. An info session is taking place on April 28 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (CEST)
Through its extensive networks, tailored funding support, founder-backed mentorship, strategic visibility, and unique community-driven ownership model, Venturecake effectively removes barriers to the DACH region market, offering CEE startups a compelling platform to accelerate international success.
