On August 11, the second startup cohort of the MTH Accelerator officially kicked off in Babelsberg — with significantly more participants than in April. At the kickoff event held at the MediaTech Hub Potsdam, a large number of new founding teams with disruptive business ideas came together, united by a shared ambition: to help shape the future of Germany’s media industry with forward-looking solutions.

An Intensive Start to Nine Months Together

For the founding teams selected from a large pool of applicants, Tuesday’s kickoff marked the beginning of a nine-month program featuring coaching, networking and pitch events, as well as investor sessions. The long-term goal: growth. The teams will also gain exclusive access to the media ecosystem in Babelsberg.

Right from the start, it became clear how many inspiring biographies and founding stories are behind the teams — and above all, how broad the MediaTech landscape has become. The solutions presented ranged from AI-supported video production and translation technologies for specific dialects to educational and communication platforms for children and young people.

Deep Dive: Fundraising Without Romanticizing It

In the afternoon, the Deep Dive session got more hands-on: MTH Accelerator Head Erdinç Koç shared practical insights into the mechanics of angel and VC financing. The discussion focused on questions such as: How do investors think? When is a startup actually fundable? What does a disciplined fundraising process look like? And what matters most when it comes to closing?

These topics were explored further in the investor panel that followed, featuring Brandenburg Kapital, Berlin Angel Fund, and SensitHaptics. For the founders, it was a valuable opportunity to hear different perspectives on timing, expectations, and deal structures directly from investors themselves.

New Potential for Germany’s Media Hub

So what remains from the day? A large cohort, a wide range of approaches — and the clear impression that these are teams seriously committed to turning their ideas into viable business models. The kickoff not only marked the start of a new program cycle, but also the beginning of a shared growth journey.

We’re looking forward to the months ahead.