Build the foundation to enter China

Asia | April 7 - May 8, 2026

De-risk and validate your expansion to China with the right positioning, stakeholders, and entry fundamentals.

Program Overview

China is a complex, big, dynamic and trend setting where success depends on strong local relevance, clear positioning, and knowing how to navigate business, regulation, and partnerships. This program helps you understand where you can create value and how to approach the market in a focused, sustainable way.

Through expert-led workshops and mentoring, you will work on market entry fundamentals, positioning and readiness, stakeholder engagement, and practical regulatory considerations to support early validation and decision-making.

Through customized 1:1 match-making with industry experts, mentors and potential business partners you will accelerate your decision-making when it comes to China. With trusted partners on-site we ensure safe discovery of the market.

What You Get with China Market Discovery

Save time and
money

You avoid costly missteps early.

Accelerate
growth

You move from assumptions to direction faster.

Build connections and partnerships

You get access to the right ecosystem and stakeholders.

Navigate
complexity

You gain clarity on market entry basics.

Walk Away With Concrete Deliverables

Market entry baseline and key assumptions to validate

Stakeholder and partnership approach

Positioning and messaging adjustments for local relevance

Regulatory and compliance fundamentals checklist

China-ready pitch improvements for investor and partner conversations

Is This Program Right for You?

Your company must be incorporated in Germany with one of the following legal forms: UG; AG; GmbH; GmbH & Co. KG. We also consider GbRs on a case-by-case basis

Qualify as a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) based on the EU definition of a SME

Be under the limit of the official EU De-minimis aid regulation

What You Will Work On During the Program

These are some of the topics we will cover during the program with the help of workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Business Culture & Negotiation

Navigating Chinese Business Culture & Negotiation Styles

Gain insight into business etiquette, communication norms, and negotiation tactics essential for building trust and successful partnerships in China.

Ecosystem Landscape

Understanding China’s Startup Ecosystem & Government Landscape

Explore the structure, players, and regional characteristics of China’s startup scene. Learn how to engage with local government initiatives and navigate public-private partnerships.

Intellectual Property

Protecting Intellectual Property in China

Understand the fundamentals of IP protection for the Chinese market, including what can be protected and how to approach registration and enforcement.

Positioning & Value Proposition

Refining Your Value Proposition for China

Define and communicate the unique value your product or service brings to Chinese customers, using tools like the Value Proposition Canvas to localize your message effectively.

Pitching & Investor Readiness

Crafting a Winning China Pitch

Pitch coaching tailored to local expectations. Refine your pitch deck and delivery style to resonate with Chinese investors and partners ahead of demo day.

Legal & Market Entry

Legal Fundamentals for Market Entry

Learn the legal do’s and don’ts when entering China, including company setup, contracts, and compliance essentials.

Legal & Market Entry

Market Entry Strategy

Expert guidance on entry models, operational setup, and financial considerations from China market entry advisors.

What You'll Experience

A structured Market Discovery program combining workshops and mentoring to help you adapt your approach for China and define your next steps with confidence.

Expert-Led Guidance

You will work through market entry fundamentals, positioning, and stakeholder engagement topics with expert support.

Market and Regulatory Clarity

You will build a practical understanding of regulatory and compliance considerations relevant to early entry decisions.

Communication and Pitch Readiness

You will refine how you present your value for China through guided feedback.

“Validate where you fit, adapt your positioning, and build a realistic entry plan with expert guidance and mentoring.”

3-Phase Program Snapshot

Phase 1

Program Start and Preparation

You align priorities and define the key questions you need to validate for China market entry.

Phase 2

Market Readiness and Validation Planning

You refine positioning and pitch, and build stakeholder and market entry fundamentals through workshops and mentoring.

Phase 3

After the Program (Next Steps)

You consolidate insights and leave with a clear direction for China entry milestones, including what to validate next and how to move forward.

Program Details

Location:

China

Program Dates:

April 7 - May 8, 2026

In-Country Dates:

April 20 - April 28, 2026

Application Deadline:

March 13, 2026

Format:

Workshops, Panel Discussions, 1-on-1 Mentoring

Focused German Accelerator program for German automotive startups, including Auto China participation and a market discovery agenda in Beijing.

Cost:

€500 per Startup

Test

Meet all Startup Stories

"I would say one of the things that really impressed me was the high profile of the experts that they German Accelerator introduced us to."

Read Story
Trinh Le-Fiedler
CEO & Co-Founder

"When it comes to choosing a startup accelerator for international expansion, Kellermann is clear: “In my opinion, I highly recommend German Accelerator,” he said."

Read Story
Julian Kellermann
Managing Director

"A ten-minute in-person meeting saved a lot of paperwork. Being physically present in Asia made all the difference."

Read Story
Otto Klemke
Co-Founder and CEO

"With our market plans to expand into the U.S., the mentors immensely helped us by giving deep insights on how to improve our pitch, our market focus and segmentation, our approach, and our communication and branding."

Read Story
Dr. Arne Kruse
Co-Founder

"It’s all about meeting the right people, so the German Accelerator network was most relevant to our success,” said Pentenrieder. “I’m excited to continue collaborating with that network."

Read Story
Martin Pentenrieder
Co-Founder
01

Submit Your Application

Submit your pitch deck along with answers to key questions about your business, including your vision, market-fit, and current growth stage. This information will help assess your company's potential for success and eligibility for the German Accelerator program.

02

Selection Process

Our team will carefully evaluate your application, reviewing all provided materials including your pitch deck and company details. If your startup is selected and meets the eligibility criteria, you will be notified of the next steps.

03

Ready, Set, Go!

Join the program and work hands-on via workshops, mentor sessions, and founder fireside chats - plus on-the-ground immersion to validate assumptions and define concrete next steps for market entry.

04

Know What to Do Next

With clear feedback on your market readiness and concrete next steps from the program, you’ll know exactly how to move forward with your expansion. If you're ready to take the next step, check out German Accelerator's Market Access or explore more markets with Market Discovery.

Testimonials

What Previous Program Participants Say

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