Startup ecosystems can be fragmented, competitive, and hidden to newcomers, which is detrimental for local startups and community growth. The Startup Ecosystem Canvas seeks to provide local entrepreneurs with a clear list of resources for every stage of their startup journey, and outline a basic framework for communities to map their ecosystem.

With applications for the Cologne Founder Institute coming to a close, we are excited to release the updated Cologne Startup Ecosystem Canvas, which is currently in Draft v1 below! It was developed by the Cologne Founder Institute and local leaders Nikhil Madan, Parul Madan, Timm Neu.

This is just a DRAFT, and more input is needed, so please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document to help us complete the list. There are definitely omissions on this current version.

For links to all of the resources, you can also refer to the list below!

Startup Stages

There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.

1. Idea Stage

This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.

Inspire

Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters, Startup Digest)

Inspirational Events: Open, inclusive, beginner startup events (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)

Educate

Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspire, like Startup Founder 101, etc).

Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development. (Ex. bootcamps and comprehensive training programs, like Founder Institute, etc)

Validate

Team Formation: Resources for teaming up. (i.e. events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching”)

Build First Product: Hackathons & resources to build. (i.e. hackathons and other builder-focused events and resources)

2. Launch Stage

In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.

Start

Establish: Law firms & banks for startups

Workspace: Co-working and flexible workspaces (note: “official” office space goes in 3.1.a. Infrastructure)

Develop

Formalize: Accounting, development and HR for early-stage startups.

Prepare for Seed: Incubators and advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources for startup TEAMS)

Launch

Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)

Pitch & Demo: Show local startups for investment (i.e. demo days for companies seeking seed investment)

3. Growth Stage

Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.

Recognition

Investor Networking: Connect professional investors with founders. (i.e. events or groups that facilitate connections with professional investors)

Major Media: Mainstream local business press. (i.e. major local or regional publications that frequently champion local businesses)

Funding

Angels / Micro-VCs: Seed-stage investors (search AngelList, Gust, Crunchbase)

Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond

Growth

Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)

Expansion: Growth accelerators/consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)

4. Success Stories

Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.

Supporters

To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.

1. Evangelists

Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies. (i.e. Local leaders who have taken a leadership position, speak at a lot of startup events, mentor all the programs, etc)

2. Government

Public organizations that facilitate local economic development

3. Talent

Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.

Local Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)

Local Employers (Major technical employers, like Microsoft or Google or large local companies, with large local offices)

Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and leave us your thoughts on the Cologne Canvas on this collaborative Google document (This is just a DRAFT, and more input is needed!)

May 08, 2018

The Cologne Startup Ecosystem: A List of 300+ Resources for Entrepreneurs

Startup Stages

1. Idea Stage

2. Launch Stage

3. Growth Stage

4. Success Stories

Supporters

1. Evangelists

2. Government

3. Talent

Related Insights

South Carolina Startup Resource List: 100+ Accelerators, Incubators, Investors, and more

Pittsburgh Startup Resource List: 500+ Accelerators, Incubators, Investors, and more

Georgia Startup Resource List: 240+ Accelerators, Incubators, Investors, and more

Are you ready to apply to the world's largest pre-seed accelerator?

Startup Stages

1. Idea Stage

2. Launch Stage

3. Growth Stage

4. Success Stories

Supporters

1. Evangelists

2. Government

3. Talent

Related Insights

South Carolina Startup Resource List: 100+ Accelerators, Incubators, Investors, and more

Pittsburgh Startup Resource List: 500+ Accelerators, Incubators, Investors, and more

Georgia Startup Resource List: 240+ Accelerators, Incubators, Investors, and more

Are you ready to apply to the world's largest pre-seed accelerator?

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive exclusive startup articles, videos, and more.