Many founders with a migration background report discrimination at government agencies, banks and in networks. According to the "Migrant Founders Monitor 2025", only 55% of founders rate social openness positively ^[2].

Recommendations for dealing with this:

• Platforms such as the IQ specialist unit for migrant economy offer advice in various languages and are trained in dealing with discrimination ^[3]
• Use multilingual guides such as "Simply start up in Germany", with step-by-step information and link tips ^[4]

Networks are crucial – especially beyond your own community. Supportive structures include:

• IQ network & specialist unit for migrant economy: Multilingual consultations, business workbooks and consultation hours at various locations in Germany ^[5]
• Perspektive: Selbständigkeit (Brandenburg): Placement at free advice centres, networking and initial consultations in several languages ^[6]
• Projects such as 2Hearts ^[7] and Migrapreneur ^[8] support migrants in the tech sector on an industry-specific basis

Stable financing is important for your successful start. You have access to the same funding opportunities as other founders – and beyond:

General start-up funding via employment agency / job centre

• Advice on starting a business, funding opportunities and residence permits directly on site. The IQ network ^[5] also provides free support here ^[9].

The federal government and federal states provide founders with:

• Interest-subsidised development loans
• Guarantees
• Equity capital
• Non-repayable grants

Mikrokreditfonds Deutschland ("My microcredit")

• Specifically for founders without bank credit: Loans of up to €25,000 possible, primarily for micro-enterprises, many of which are run by migrants ^[11].

1. Motivate yourself

• Be aware: You are part of a highly innovation-oriented group – almost 20% of founders in Germany have a migration background. Your start-ups are particularly growth-hungry, innovative and internationally oriented ^[2].
• At the same time, there are challenges: financing barriers, lack of networks and bureaucracy are among the most common stumbling blocks.
• According to the "Migrant Founders Monitor 2025", migrant founders see their strengths particularly often in their resilience (57% vs. 51%) and willingness to take risks (44% vs. 36%) – both core criteria for successful entrepreneurship.

2. Inform yourself

• Specifically look for advice centres for migrants, for example via the start-up portal or the "Wir gründen in Deutschland" portal of the IQ network ^[12].
• Use regional services such as the Existenzgründerzentrum EGZ Leipzig or Perspektive: Selbständigkeit (Brandenburg), which provide multilingual support – with business plans, administrative matters and workshops with native language support.

3. Seek out communities

• Network with other migrant founders – for example through programmes such as "Wirtschaftspaten – Migranten werden Unternehmer", which offers free seminars and up to 20 coaching hours ^[13]
• Special mentoring initiatives such as "Migrantinnen gründen" offer personal support, workshops and network building ^[14].
• Get involved in programmes such as the SWANS Initiative, which supports academics with a migration background and women of color – through training, networking events and role model blogs ^[15].

4. Use tailored funding

• Use the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which supports projects for social integration and professional development – including start-ups ^[16].
• Consider the IQ programme ("Integration durch Qualifizierung") if recognition of foreign qualifications, further training or qualification are relevant. Get advice from the Wir gründen in Deutschland ^[5] programme.
• Specific funding offers for women with a migration background are provided by the Bundesweite Gründerinnenagentur ^[17].

5. Promote visibility & growth

• Show presence: Network, share your story, use media and events – especially as a migrant founder, you are part of an important success story.
• Continuously foster your network, seek participation in founder events and collaborations – and grow beyond your community.