Application Batch #13

Innovative concepts addressing social entrepreneurship issues across all sectors, e.g., inclusion, social mobility, participation, education, health, labor market integration, demographic change, mobility and environmental protection, gender equality, childcare, etc.

Through our Entrepreneurship Program, we support up to 5 project teams over a period of 5 months with

• Free consulting on the (further) development of the social business model
• Workshops with learning modules on needs and market analysis, defining problems and ideas, prototyping, convincing investors and customers, and other topics
• Mentor program with business representatives and experts
• Active networking with the Hafven community, regional companies, and the nationwide social business scene
• Nationwide visibility through online and offline coverage, and trade show appearances where applicable

The 13th batch is expected to run from June to November 2026. 

In principle, all participants from the Hanover and Hildesheim region who have an innovative concept for solving a societal challenge and are committed to developing and implementing a forward-looking social service or product.

These may include, among others

• Project teams from the social economy, the welfare sector, the cultural and creative industries, and the volunteer sector
• College graduates with social enterprise startup plans
• Individuals interested in starting a business and potential social innovators from the private sector and civil society, e.g., volunteers or self-help groups
• Social or environmental startups in the early stages
• (Former) employees of social institutions and social enterprises
• Spin-offs from social enterprises and welfare organizations
• Targeted project work to develop a viable concept from an idea
• High level of commitment to collaborating with the teams at the Social Innovation Center

This means: 

• Mandatory participation in key events of the entrepreneurship program and open dialogue
• Regular participation in the offered programs (workshops, coaching sessions, and team meetings)
• Active networking with other teams and potential sponsors or partner companies

Entrepreneurship Program Online Application Form

Click this link to access our application form.

If your online application impresses us, we’ll invite you to a jury pitch at Hafven.

Here, you or your team will present your idea in a maximum of 6 minutes and then answer questions from the jury. Following this session, the jury will decide who will be accepted into the Entrepreneurship Program.

The criteria and key questions the jury uses to select projects include: the idea or innovation for solving a societal problem, the business concept, the resources available, and the motivation of the participants.

KEY DATES AT A GLANCE:

• Application period for the Entrepreneurship Program: 
• Application deadline for the Entrepreneurship Program:May 17, 2026
• Jury Pitch:May 26, 2026
• Start of the Entrepreneurship Program:June 10, 2026
• Closing event/Demo Day:November 11, 2026
• Weekly workshops of approx. 3–4 hours at Hafven Hannover or remotely

The Social Innovation Center is an accredited institution for the NBank Lower Saxony Startup Grant.

Any team or individual who has been accepted into our entrepreneurship program and has not yet founded a company is eligible to apply for this grant.

A maximum of 3 team members will receive a non-repayable grant for a period of up to 10 months.

All information and additional terms and conditions can be found here.