STEP USA University Program 2025

The STEP USA University Program is a three-day program for German university startups and spinoffs that want to scale their business in the USA. Since 2021, this cooperation between the German-American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (GACC) and the DWIH New York has helped young companies explore the US market.

New York is the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the world and offers German startups an excellent opportunity to internationalize their businesses. US venture capital firms specializing in the startup scene are still actively seeking innovative business ideas. In this context, entering the US market presents significant opportunities. During the trip to New York, eight startups will gain insights into the key factors for successfully entering the US market and learn how the startup and venture capital ecosystem in the USA operates.

To specifically address the needs of the fast-growing and dynamic community of university startups and spin-offs, the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) and the German-American Chambers of Commerce, Inc. (GACC) in New York are offering founders the chance to experience one of the most vibrant startup hubs firsthand.

Over three consecutive days, GACC New York and DWIH NY will host customized workshops providing information on the following topics:

  • US Economic Update
  • Cultural Differences and Business Practices in the US
  • Legal Requirements: Setting up your U.S. entity, visa regulations, employment law, and product liability law
  • Pitching and Storytelling in the US
  • Sales Strategies
  • Engaging with US Investors and Building Your Investor Funnel
  • Visits to Incubators, and Meetings with Angel Investors and Mentors

What are the costs?

DWIH NY covers the program fees. Participants are responsible for covering their travel expenses and accommodation during the three-day program.

In some cases, startups may be eligible for financial support from their university, city, or state (Bundesland). Please contact your local authorities to find out if you qualify.

What are the requirements?

Whether in life sciences, IT, humanities and social sciences, materials research, or natural sciences, the start-up call is open to all research areas! This year, we especially encourage start-ups in the health sciences to apply.

The following requirements must be met:

  • Business model is suitable for internationalization
  • Please provide proof that your startup is a spin off from within a research institution or university. (Universität, Fachhochschule – FH, or Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften – HAW)

How do I apply?

Please send a brief, easy-to-understand pitch overview in English to Dr. Jan Lüdert (luedert@dwih.org) and Andrea Diewald (adiewald@gaccny.com).

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is August 1, 2025 or until all eight spots are filled.

The pitch package should include the following information and be no longer than 5 visually appealing pages:

  • Description Startup and Innovation
  • Business model with internationalization plans (if any)
  • Status development
  • Benefit of participating in the STEP USA University Program

Former editions and participants

2024 fall edition

The program took place November 4 – 6, 2024. Check out the event page for some photos and more information.

  • Adaept Engineering GmbH i.G. – cross-layer optimization and development
  • Digity GmbH – active (prototype phase) and passive exoskeletons
  • minq – app for better mental health
  • GET-OUT – personalized travel recommendations
  • Grains Education – an educational app and a non-profit hospitality school for Displaced Persons
  • ISTARI.AI GmbH – automated market research
  • Satio GmbH – one operating system to simplify, automate and de–risk satellite missions
  • VAVisual Abstract GmbH – making complex scientific data more accessible, clear, and engaging through an AI-driven platform

2024 spring edition

The program took place February 12 – 14, 2024. Check out the event page for some photos and more information.

  • ACKISION – researches, manufactures and sells highly specialized measurement electronics including matching software and accessories
  • Allogenetics – creation of an immunological invisibility of the donor organ instead of inducing immunological blindness in the organ recipient
  • Orbis – bring live-streaming platforms and their respected live-streamers together in one ecosystem to maximize the viewership experience
  • Phont – combining AI and innovative design to take inclusion and immersion in the media industry to a new level
  • Qannual – provides a user-friendly platform for analyzing U.S. annual reports, utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies
  • RobComp – technology, which fulfills complex requirements in lightweight construction
  • The Röben Company – Solvent for your resin 3D print
  • Singleton Change – app that helps your company successfully overcome any challenge
  • VYTAL Global GmbH – reusable food and beverage container system

2023 edition

The program took place December 4 – 6, 2023, more information on the dedicated event page.

  • experial – customer research scalable using AI, automation, and no-code solutions
  • HAPTIK – software for logistics partners
  • myotwin – enhancing methods of pre-clinical cardiac research
  • Novo AI – transforming production industry with AI
  • PAULINA’s FRIENDS – creative fashion agency

2022 edition

The program (event page – only in German) took place in New York in September 2022 with

2021 edition

The program took place virtually in November 2021, see event page.

Participating companies:

  • apartmen – AI home stylist
  • Boston Buckwheat – food based on roasted buckwheat
  • Klangio – transcribing songs to sheet music notation
  • Labmaite – lab automation using AI
  • neuro11 – mental strength training for elite athletes
  • opto biolabs – illumination devices for optogenetic research
  • perosol – printed solar cells
  • Phaseform – refractive adaptive optics components
  • Reasonance – enabling machine learning and data intensive applications
  • Sensawtious – battery free sensors for the Smart Home
  • Spindiag GmbH – sustainable platform for infection control

Testimonials

“My experience with the GACC’s STEP program was great. As a sport-tech founder from Germany, moving our company to the US was always a big goal but also felt like a huge project. However, the program’s hands-on experts provided me with the guidance I needed to navigate these first steps and a few months after the program we have a running US entity to run our US operations. The program was a great navigator, allowing me to be efficient and providing trusted sources of information for this first step towards my company’s US market entry. I highly recommend it to any founder looking to make the move to the US market.”

– Jaan Brunken, Wingfield (2022 cohorte)

“We strongly believe in the startup mentality and philosophy of the U.S. We wanted to learn from the best and to be open to new ideas, welcoming inspiration, especially from experts in different fields. The STEP USA program is the perfect format to get authentic knowledge from the source, tailored to our needs as a young German startup, as well as building up a network.”

– Perosol (2021 cohorte)

“We saw the great and unique chance to grow together with peers through an experienced group of speakers and startup experts, providing customized information and insights for a future step into the U.S. market. […] The overall program was valuable, and each session was thoughtfully chosen by the organizers, especially the exercises and the Q&A sessions amongst peers provided valuable insights during the 4-day course.”

– Spindiag (2021 cohorte)

Event Information

November 10 to 12, 2025

New York
Organizer(s): DWIH NY, GACC NY