SINGA Newcomer Solutions Incubator & Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award 2026
One connected program for founders building solutions for migration, mobility, and belonging - in NRW.

Join our open incubator — and apply for Rheinpreneur when you’re ready.

Join the 2026 Program

One Program. Two Ways to Join.

Incubator and Rheinpreneur are part of one connected journey. You can join at the stage that fits your experience and goals.

Start with the Incubator
Open to everyone
Workshops, mentoring, peer learning
Build skills, confidence, and networks
Test and develop your idea
Applications open in March
Join Rheinpreneur
For more advanced teams
Pitch to experts and community
Funding, visibility, long-term support
Open to incubator participants and external applicants
Applications open in May

Designing Innovation for a World in Movement

A focused edition for founders building solutions shaped by migration, mobility, and belonging — launching in NRW.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2026?

Our Journey: From 2025 to Today

In 2025, we brought the Newcomer Award from Berlin to NRW for the first time.

It combined mentoring, workshops, and a final award event for founders with migration experience.

In 2026, we are taking this further.

We are building one connected journey:
an open incubator for everyone (no matter the background) who wants to develop solutions for migration and belonging — and Rheinpreneur as the final public stage.

Today, founders can:

Start in our incubator and grow step by step
Or apply directly to Rheinpreneur if they are already advanced

This makes our program more open, more inclusive, and more impactful.

Who Can Join?

All teams develop solutions that address real challenges faced by migrants and displaced people.

Newcomers & People Shaped by Movement

Have you experienced migration, displacement, or mobility yourself — and want to turn your lived experience into a solution?
We’d love to hear from you!

Local Founders & Allies

Are you building solutions for migrant communities, even without a migrant background? Your commitment and perspective matter — you’re very welcome to apply.

Mixed Teams

Are you a diverse team combining lived experience, technical skills, and community knowledge? That’s exactly what we’re looking for — apply together.

What is in for you?

Community & Belonging

Connect with people who understand your journey.

Practical Skills

From idea validation to pitching and fundraising.

Expert Feedback

Get constructive feedback and guidance from experienced founders, mentors, and professionals.

Visibility & Funding

As a finalist of Rheinpreneur, you’ll have the opportunity to present your idea to a wider audience - gaining visibility, recognition, and new opportunities.

Our Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award Prizes

1st Prize

10.000€

2nd Prize

7.500€

3rd Prize

5.000€

Audience Prize

5.000€

Entrepreneurship Built on Belonging and Lived Experience

Over the years, we learned that supporting individual business ideas is not enough. People shaped by movement don’t only need visibility — they need real, practical solutions that make everyday life easier, safer, and more inclusive.

That’s why we shifted our focus.

From supporting newcomers to start businesses to building solutions for them together with our community.

Our programs create spaces where people can grow, contribute, and belong — side by side.

And this is how it works: Process overview

Your Journey with Us

1

Join the Incubator (Optional)

Take part in our workshops, community sessions, and mentoring formats to explore your idea, connect with others, and build strong foundations. No matter your background or experience level — you’re welcome.

2

Develop Your Solution

Work on your impact, business model, and pitch with support from experts, peers, and our community. Turn lived experience and ideas into practical solutions.

3

Apply to Rheinpreneur

Apply for the Rheinpreneur Award — whether you joined the Incubator or are coming in independently with a more advanced project. Both paths are equally welcome.

4

Grow Through Capacity-Building Workshops

Teams take part in focused trainings, coaching sessions, and pitch preparation. We help you sharpen your story, strengthen your strategy, and get ready for the next stage.

5

Jury Review & Final Selection

A diverse jury evaluates projects based on impact, feasibility, innovation, and team strength.

6

Award & Growth

Celebrate your journey, gain visibility, access funding, and continue growing within the SINGA community and partner network.

IMPACT & LEGACY

Learning from 2025

Our first edition showed what happens when people feel seen, supported, and trusted.

Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award 2025 Impact Report

READ THE REPORT

Relive the Rheinpreneur Moment

Experience the energy, emotion, and inspiration of the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award. From powerful pitches to personal stories – these videos capture what this event is truly about.

Rheinpreneur 2025 – Recap

A celebration of courage, community, and newcomer innovation!
This short video captures the energy, warmth, and powerful stories from the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Startup Award 2025 in Düsseldorf. From inspiring pitches to meaningful connections — this is what inclusive entrepreneurship looks like.

Belonging Builds the Future – Voices from Rheinpreneur 2025

Behind every business idea is a human story. At Rheinpreneur 2025, we witnessed what happens when people are seen, supported, and celebrated.
This video is a tribute to newcomer entrepreneurs who are shaping the future – with courage, resilience, and vision.
At SINGA, we believe migration drives innovation. And when people feel they belong, they can truly thrive.
Join the SINGA movement.

Impressions from Rheinpreneur 2025

A look back at an unforgettable day. Explore moments of connection, celebration, and community – and meet the people behind the ideas.

RHEINPRENEUR WINNERS

Get inspired from previous Rheinpreneur winners and their business ideas!

Rheinpreneur 2025 First Prize Winner

EcoComply

By John Iwueke
Rheinpreneur 2025 Second Prize Winner

Amendio

By Zarangez Muminova
Rheinpreneur 2025 Third Prize Winner

Rohrpappe

By Abdulwadoud Alikhwan
Rheinpreneur 2025 Audience Prize Winner

Rohrpappe

By Abdulwadoud Alikhwan

MEET THE RHEINPRENEUR 2025 FINALISTS!

Discover the innovative startup ideas from our 2025 Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award finalists.

By Chandni Ranganath-Schulz

Sparrow

A community-driven beauty platform that delivers personalized product recommendations powered by real user experiences - not generic algorithms.

By Zafeer Khan

MechConnect

A smart app for car diagnostics, spare parts, and mechanic booking — making auto repair fast and transparent.

By Hani Eid

WeFind

Smart QR-code tags that help reunite lost items with their owners via secure web & WhatsApp contact.

By Zarangez Muminova

Amendio

Video-based home repair support connecting users with real handypeople for live DIY fixes.

By John Iwueke

Ecocomply

An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers stay compliant with complex product regulations — in real time.

By Abdulwadoud Alikhwan

Rohrpappe

Eco-friendly, recyclable packaging made of paper tubes — a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam.

Meet our Rheinpreneur 2025 Jury

We are so proud to have these amazing experts on board with us!

Peter Akpotosu-Nartey

Peter is an Investment Director at IMPACT Partners, managing €350M in assets and investing in social impact businesses across Europe. With experience across VC, entrepreneurship, and finance, Peter is passionate about supporting underrepresented founders with purpose-driven solutions.
Julia Bandov

Julia is a communications expert and ecosystem builder focused on making tech and entrepreneurship more inclusive. As Head of Partnerships at Founders Bay, she supports early-stage, impact-driven startups from underserved regions. She co-founded paeq to help companies close gender gaps and created MumsFounding to empower entrepreneurial mothers. Julia also leads Women in Tech Berlin and advocates for equity in the industry, while championing working parents as a mother of two.
Martina Lartey

Martina is a business consultant specializing in social entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation, with a focus on diversity and social change. As Program and Community Manager at AiDiA, Germany’s largest business and culture event, she guides startups from idea to investor pitch. Known for her strategic insight and strong network, Martina supports founders aiming to create meaningful impact.
Eugenia Gagin

Eugenia is co-founder of dentalheld.de and a board member of StartupDorf e.V. She is a passionate networker and regularly shares her own start-up experience as a mentor or speaker. As part of her work at StartupDorf, she brings together various stakeholders from the start-up scene in NRW, true to the motto ‘connecting the dots’.

Our events

Check out our upcoming events, register and participate!
We are looking forward to seeing you!

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Register now!

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Register now!

Meet our team

Contact our Project Lead!

Izabella Neves de Morais

Izabella Neves de Morais is a Project Lead with 15 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Publicity, a Master’s in Service Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Social Innovation Management.
She has five years of experience in the financial sector and two years leading EU-funded programmes. With expertise in the Latin American, European, UAE, and Indian markets, she has managed high-impact global projects, large-scale startup events, and equity product development. As a teacher, speaker, and mentor, she specialises in developing scalable solutions for immigrant women and international communities with an impact-focused approach.

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Get to know us and our Partner

Get to know SINGA Deutschland and our partnership with TARGOBANK, united by a shared vision of innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurial empowerment.

Initiated by SINGA Deutschland

SINGA Deutschland was founded in 2016 to create meaningful connections between newcomers and locals and shift the paradigm of migration. Today we have devoted our work to building impactful, ground-breaking, and sustainable solutions for inclusive societies and innovative economies.

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Funded by TARGOBANK

We are proud to have TARGOBANK as our key funding partners. With a strong commitment to financial support and innovation, TARGO Bank empowers businesses and individuals with tailored banking solutions. Their dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable growth aligns with our mission to support emerging startups and visionary projects.

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