How international founders succeed in the startup scene

Around 60 per cent of German unicorn startups have at least one person with an immigrant background on their founding team, a study by the German Startup Association and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation found in 2023. At 21 per cent, these generally highly motivated founders represent a significant part of Germany’s startup ecosystem and over half (58 per cent) were born abroad.

These figures underline the importance of international founders for the German startup scene. Many of these founders input innovative business ideas and are often active in industries with a high demand for new technologies, services and products. Despite their successes, international founders face particular hurdles such as limited access to funding, a lack of business networks and various bureaucratic and language barriers.

When two hearts beat in a founder's chest

2hearts is Europe's largest community for multicultural talent in the tech industry. Since it was founded, 2hearts has helped founders and young professionals to establish companies, fundraise, find jobs, develop their careers and find their cultural identity and develop personally. The non-profit network offers mentoring and mutual support with cultural hurdles. It gives founders access to potential investors, and crucially to knowledge and experience. The organisation relies on community power to promote greater diversity and equal opportunities in society. The name 2hearts stands for the feeling of belonging to two or more cultures. 2hearts has had a branch in Hamburg since 2023, and now has a regional group of around 200 active members.

How did the foundation of 2hearts come about? Was there a key experience or a particular motivation?

The idea for 2hearts was born in 2020 when four successful professionals shared their own experiences as international founders in the tech industry: Gülsah Wilke (partner and head of the German office of venture capital firm DN Capital), İskender Dirik (serial founder and venture capitalist), Oktay Erciyaz (senior advisor, investor and active supervisory board member, including at Paximum.com Global Travel Marketplace) and Min-Sung Sean Kim (general partner at NGS Capital). They all lacked a supportive network that understood their individual cultural backgrounds. This shared realisation provided the impetus to found a community that would specifically promote talented professionals with similar biographies.

How exactly is 2hearts organised and what are its goals?

With 2hearts, we want to strengthen multicultural, disadvantaged talents in the tech industry and make this untapped potential visible and develop it - because our future needs ambitious and talented people - regardless of their origin - to ensure innovation, growth and prosperity. 2hearts is made up of five teams supported by over 50 dedicated volunteers. Together, they pursue the goal of providing targeted support and guidance to young people with a history of migration. The activities of 2hearts are based on three central pillars: Community platform - for exchange, networking and mutual support. Career & Entrepreneurship - focussing on professional orientation, starting a business and access to opportunities. Personal Development - with offers for personal development and strengthening individual skills.

What are 2hearts’ schemes and projects?

A comprehensive mentorship scheme, a wide range of initiatives, events and exclusive partner offers complement the scheme and ensure holistic support. 2hearts aims to empower young people with a history of migration to realise their potential, be professionally successful and pursue their personal goals with confidence. Our 2hearts@school initiative is particularly important to us. We bring role models from the community straight into schools. We use inspiring presentations to reach pupils with a history of migration to encourage them to believe in themselves from an early age. The initiative offers guidance, self-confidence and perspectives in the tech and innovation sector - and sets a positive impulse for the future. We have organised successful events in schools in Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Hamburg and plan to expand this initiative to our other chapters in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.

Who can become a member of the community and under what conditions?

Anyone with a history of migration and an interest in technology can join whether founder, young professional or student. Membership is currently free of charge. The prerequisite is an online application.

What role do mentors play at 2hearts - and how do you select them?

Mentors form the backbone of the community. They support mentees with professional, personal and cultural matters, and people without an international background are also welcome to join us, if they want to share their experiences. They are carefully selected based on experience, motivation and matching with the mentees' interests. Over 100 mentors are already active - including founders, tech experts and investors.

What changes do you think are needed in German politics and tech society to truly embrace diversity?

Diversity must go beyond lip service. We need openness at management level, targeted support schemes, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, visible role models and access to capital for marginalised groups. But above all, the powers that be must realise that internationality is not a deficit - but a real, competitive cutting edge.

What advice would you give founders with a history of migration who are just starting out?

Look for mentors. Build up a supportive network. Turn your cultural perspective into a resource - not an obstacle. And most importantly, don't be afraid to raise your visibility. Your story counts!

How can you support 2hearts as an individual, company or organisation?

As an individual, you can become a mentor, support the community or share your own experiences. Companies can enter partnerships, facilitate events or become sponsors. Anyone who can open doors is welcome. Individuals or companies can also donate via our website.

Noah, how did 2hearts help you found your startup?

I met my co-founder at a 2hearts event. And our business model is also a result of countless inspiring conversations within the 2hearts community. By giving young people real insights into a wide range of professional fields, we live and share the values that 2hearts stands for namely equal opportunities, diversity and prospects for everyone.

What advice do you have for international founders?

Although the web of authorities may seem daunting at first, it is definitely worth navigating, as there are many subsidies and support options available for startups. Simply accept that things may be more rule-based and bureaucratic in Germany than elsewhere. Yet, some problems are solved well or do not even arise in the first place. It is very important to create an effective and inspiring network that can advise and support you. The many role models at 2hearts is encouraging and inspiring - not only for people who have recently immigrated, but also for those who have grown up in Germany but often don't feel like they fully belong. Our community can be a place where people who are caught between their origins and their new homes, humor and polite phrases, self-doubt and startup dreams, can be seen, understood and empowered.