INCUBATOR 2026
First launch in NRW
A New Chapter for NRW
Designing Innovation for a World in Movement
A focused edition for founders building solutions shaped by migration, mobility, and belonging — launching in NRW.
Entrepreneurship Built on Belonging and Lived Experience
The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award and Incubator are an entrepreneurship programs in NRW connecting lived experience, community, and startup incubation to support founders building solutions shaped by displacement, mobility, and migration.
We combine leadership development, peer networks, and venture creation to help teams design resilient, scalable ventures built for real-world impact.
We combine leadership development, peer networks, and venture creation to help teams design resilient, scalable ventures built for real-world impact.
Watch out, founders: This could be your chance to build solutions that matter!
Do you have a business idea shaped by lived experience? Or are you beginning your journey as a founder in NRW?
The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award is a focused entrepreneurship program welcoming diverse teams building solutions shaped by migration-driven challenges and cross-border realities.
We combine mentorship, community, and hands-on venture building to turn real-world insight into scalable startups.
And also 🥁🥁🥁 - €27,500 in total seed funding
for selected teams, plus individual coaching, expert feedback,
and long-term community support.
The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award is a focused entrepreneurship program welcoming diverse teams building solutions shaped by migration-driven challenges and cross-border realities.
We combine mentorship, community, and hands-on venture building to turn real-world insight into scalable startups.
And also 🥁🥁🥁 - €27,500 in total seed funding
for selected teams, plus individual coaching, expert feedback,
and long-term community support.
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!
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.
Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award 2025 Impact 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.
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.
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!
What is in for you?
We know it’s not just about the prize money.
The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award offers so much more:
The Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award offers so much more:
Valuable Networking Opportunities
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry experts, and potential partners - both online and in person.
Expert Feedback on Your Ideas
Get constructive feedback and guidance from experienced founders, mentors, and professionals.
Visibility for you and your startup idea
As a finalist, you’ll have the opportunity to present your idea to a wider audience - gaining visibility, recognition, and new opportunities.
Our Prizes:
And this is how it works: Process overview
1
1
Finalise your idea and APPLY
2
2
Pre-selection
3
3
Pitch your idea
4
4
Final decision: Jury+Public Voting
5
5
Celebarate your success
Everything you need to know.
Still wondering if this is for you? Take a look at our FAQs and read the conditions for participation.
You are eligible to apply for the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award if:
- you are living in NRW,
- you moved to Germany within the last 8 years, i.e. in 2017 or later,
- you have the nationality of one of the countries from the DAC List of ODA Recipients,
- you are over 18 years old,
- If you apply with a team: Only the main applicant is required to fulfill the above criteria
Good ones of course 🙂 There’s no limitation to a specific sector or industry.
The first edition of the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award is addressing Kickstarters only.
Meaning: We are searching for (future) entrepreneurs who are still in the ideation phase or currently working on their business plan and building networks, as well as Newcomers who have started or are already finished the founding process – so long as you have not entered the market yet!
The first edition of the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award is addressing Kickstarters only.
Meaning: We are searching for (future) entrepreneurs who are still in the ideation phase or currently working on their business plan and building networks, as well as Newcomers who have started or are already finished the founding process – so long as you have not entered the market yet!
No. The 2025 edition of the Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award is addressing Kickstarters only. Therefore, your startup’s market entry is an exclusion criterion.
We only accept applications submitted via the application form.
The call for applications will be open until the end of the day on May 13, 2025.
Sure! You can apply as an individual or with a team of co-founders / co-creators. Just keep in mind: The person submitting your application needs to be eligible to participate, and will be the one presenting your team at the final pitches if you are nominated as a finalist.
As our program events, application selection process, and the pitch and award ceremony will be held in English, we are only accepting applications in English. However, as we are an international community, and many of us speak different first languages, we welcome your application even if you are still on your way to mastering English!
Yes, you need to upload a pitch deck to complete your application.
Please answer these questions with your pitch deck:
- Problem Statement – What problem are you solving?
- Solution Overview – How does your solution address this problem?
- Market Opportunity – Who are your potential customers? What is the market size?
- Key Features of the Product/Service – What makes it unique?
- Social or Environmental Impact – What positive change does your business bring?
- Competitive Analysis – Who are your competitors, and how do you differentiate?
- Financial Projections – What is your revenue model? How will you make money?
- Team – Tell us more about you and/or your team! Who are you? How many of your team are also newcomers to NRW Region? What are their backgrounds and skillsets, and how will you work together?
Yes, you need to upload a video to complete your application. Don't worry, we just want to get to know you better!
Please answer these questions with your 2 min video (important - max. 120 seconds long):
- Who Are You?
- Tell us about your startup in 1–2 sentences.
- Your Newcomer & Entrepreneurial Journey
- What inspired you to start your business and why are you building it?
- What are some challenges you are faced as a newcomer entrepreneur?
Requirements: max. 2 minutes long, horizontal format (preferably 16:9), mov or mp4, file name = your startup name
You can upload your video in the application form.
There are a few formal requirements for your video:
- max. 120sec
- horizontal format (preferably 16:9)
- mov or mp4
- file name = your startup name
To complete your application, please upload your video in the application form.
If you are nominated as a finalist: Some parts of your application (see application form for more information) may be published on our social media or website for the public voting and / or in preparation for the award ceremony.
For all other applicants: We will only share your answers with the jury for evaluation and will not publish anything without your permission.
Our jury take about a month to nominate 6 finalists out of all eligible applications. We will announce the finalists publicly following the end of the application window. We will also inform all applications of the status of their application following the finalist decision via email.
You don’t have to apply for the public voting separately. The six finalists chosen by the jury will automatically go into public voting and will also pitch their ideas at the award show on July 10.
Information about our jury and the criteria they evaluate can be found here.
This is probably the most asked question when it comes to a competition ;)
The winners will be awarded with:
- 1st prize: 10.000€ seed capital
- 2nd prize: 7.500€ seed capital
- 3rd prize: 5.000€ seed capital
- Public voting prize: 5.000€ seed capital
Besides great opportunities to co-create, exchange and build networks, our finalists will benefit from valuable feedback to their business ideas from our jury as well as more visibility and public awareness.
No worries, we've got you covered! All finalists will be supported with preparing their big entrance at the online award show.
You’re interested in learning more about how to present your idea in preparation for your application? Check out our YouTube.
Send an email to contact@singa-deutschland.de - we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
Evaluation Criteria
Decisions on the Winners of the 3 Main Prizes are based on the following criteria:
- Degree of Innovation of Product or Service Solution
- Entrepreneur/Team and Network
- Clear Understanding pf and Attractiveness for a Target Group
- Business Model
- Competition in the Market
- Business Responsibility and Feasibility
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MEET THE RHEINPRENEUR 2025 FINALISTS!
Discover the innovative startup ideas from our 2025 Rheinpreneur Newcomer Award finalists.
By Chandni Ranganath-Schulz
A community-driven beauty platform that delivers personalized product recommendations powered by real user experiences - not generic algorithms.
By Zafeer Khan
A smart app for car diagnostics, spare parts, and mechanic booking — making auto repair fast and transparent.
By Hani Eid
Smart QR-code tags that help reunite lost items with their owners via secure web & WhatsApp contact.
By Zarangez Muminova
Video-based home repair support connecting users with real handypeople for live DIY fixes.
By John Iwueke
An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers stay compliant with complex product regulations — in real time.
Meet our Rheinpreneur 2025 Jury
We are so proud to have these amazing experts on board with us!
- Peter Akpotosu-NarteyPeter 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 BandovJulia 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 LarteyMartina 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 GaginEugenia 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’.
Meet our team
Contact our Project Lead!
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Izabella Neves de MoraisIzabella 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.
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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. -
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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