Find and test startups for the Mittelstand
Many mid-sized companies face problems that startups already solve. What's missing is the time to find them. We take that on: from the problem through the pilot to the decision. For companies in every industry.
Find startups yourself with Founders Bay Intelligence
Describe your challenge in your own words and see right away which startup approaches fit. The tool identifies 300–400 new startups in Germany every week and monitors existing ones in real time.
Try the scouting tool for freeWhat is startup scouting for the Mittelstand?
In startup scouting, Founders Bay looks specifically for young companies that solve a concrete problem of a mid-sized business. Instead of investing in a startup, the company becomes its customer and tests the solution in a scoped pilot project (venture clienting). Founders Bay works with companies in every industry. Founders Bay is an accelerator for rural Germany, founded in 2022 on Rügen, with 60+ alumni startups from 9 batches and 150+ mentors.
Collaboration pays off – it just rarely happens
That's what the German Startup Monitor 2026 by the German Startups Association (1,803 founders surveyed) shows:
The sticking point is rarely the technology. What's missing is time to search, clear goals and fast decisions. That's why we work with a clear process and a fixed decision date.
Source: German Startups Association, Deutscher Startup Monitor 2026 · Read the full analysis
From problem to decision in four steps
- 01
Describe the problem
You describe a concrete challenge in your business. If the search field is still open, we define it in a workshop.
- 02
Scout startups
With our network and scouting tool we find teams working on exactly that. We discuss the best ones with you.
- 03
Test in a pilot
You test the solution with the right startup in a clearly scoped pilot. We support you.
- 04
Decide
Continue, adjust or stop – based on real results.
„A pilot in a real business shows more than any pitch deck.“
Venture clienting with Founders Bay
From first call to pilot project
Venture clienting means you don't invest in a startup – you become its customer. Here's what happens after we've introduced the top startups.
- 01
Joint selection
We discuss the top startups and choose the teams together.
- 02
Meet the founders
We connect you with the founders so you can check the fit.
- 03
Define the pilot
Goal, scope, duration, success criteria and decision date are agreed.
- 04
Run the pilot
The startup tests its solution with you. We support and help when things get stuck.
- 05
Evaluate and decide
If the results convince you, the pilot becomes an ongoing partnership.
How you measure a pilot's success
Good criteria are measurable and agreed in advance. On the decision date you'll see whether the solution is worth it.
- Cost
e.g. lower energy, material or disposal costs
- Quality
e.g. less scrap, detecting defects earlier
- Time
e.g. shorter lead or set-up times
- Sustainability
e.g. less CO₂, more reused residual materials
- Practicality
e.g. team adoption, operating effort
- Business case
e.g. payback period for a rollout
Not a list, but the right introductions
New startups tracked per week
Our tool spots new startups in Germany every week and monitors existing ones in real time. Plus our 60+ alumni.
Mentors
Experience from the Mittelstand, industry and tech for selection and assessment.
Pilot support
We introduce you to the teams and support the pilot through to the decision.
Got a concrete problem?
Tell us about it. We'll get back to you for a no-obligation call.