START2 GROUP GMBH

Their core work

Start2 Group (formerly German Entrepreneurship GmbH) is a Munich-based startup acceleration and internationalization firm that helps technology companies scale across borders. They specialize in connecting European and Indian innovation ecosystems, facilitating market entry, product adaptation, and technology transfer for startups and scaleups. Within H2020, they bring practical expertise in building cross-border business networks and accelerating the commercialization of research-driven ventures.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Start2 Group entered H2020 in 2019 through AI-focused network projects (Humane AI), contributing business acceleration expertise to research communities. By 2021, their focus had shifted decisively toward international technology transfer, with the EU-India InnoCenter becoming their largest engagement by far (EUR 968K vs EUR 400K and EUR 20K for earlier projects). The trajectory shows a move from supporting European research networks to actively bridging EU innovation with emerging markets.

Moving from European research ecosystem support toward global technology transfer, particularly targeting the EU-India corridor — expect continued focus on cross-border commercialization.

How they like to work

Start2 Group joins projects exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator, which is typical for a business services firm contributing practical acceleration and network-building expertise to research-driven consortia. With 67 unique partners across 24 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in very large consortia and bring broad geographic reach. This makes them a connector organization — useful for consortium builders who need a partner with established international business networks.

Remarkably broad network for a 3-project portfolio: 67 unique partners across 24 countries, reflecting their role in large-scale coordination and support actions. Strong connections span both European research institutions (via AI networks) and India-facing innovation organizations.

What sets them apart

Start2 Group stands out as one of few Munich-based firms that combine hands-on startup acceleration experience with active participation in EU-funded research networks. Their dual expertise in AI ecosystems and EU-India market entry makes them a rare bridge between European research and global commercialization. For consortium builders, they offer something most research partners cannot: practical knowledge of how to take technology from lab to international market.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EU-India InnoCenter
  Their largest project (EUR 968K) and a direct expression of their core mission — building an EU-India innovation center for startup scaling and technology transfer.
• HumanE-AI-Net
  A major EU flagship network on human-centric AI (2020-2024), where Start2 Group contributed business acceleration expertise to one of Europe's most prominent AI initiatives.