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VISION LAB
Driving Diversity in Tech
Earlybird Vision Lab is Germany’s first VC incubator and impact fund supporting pre-seed startups by entrepreneurs with migration backgrounds.
Vision Lab’s mission
Ideas Come from Everywhere
Ideas Come from Everywhere
Ideas Come from Everywhere
Across Europe, language, cultural, or bureaucratic barriers often prevent people with a migration background from growing great ideas into successful businesses. This perpetuates social inequality, a critical issue demanding attention and hindering societies’ innovative and economic opportunities. Silicon Valley’s impressive founder stories are proof that a diverse tech ecosystem is a massive innovative force and a crucial economic factor. Almost half of all startups in the Bay Area were founded by migrants or their children. With Vision Lab, our mission is to support founders with migration backgrounds and actively contribute to building a more diverse startup ecosystem, starting in Germany.
Across Europe, language, cultural, or bureaucratic barriers often prevent people with a migration background from growing great ideas into successful businesses. This perpetuates social inequality, a critical issue demanding attention and hindering societies’ innovative and economic opportunities. Silicon Valley’s impressive founder stories are proof that a diverse tech ecosystem is a massive innovative force and a crucial economic factor. Almost half of all startups in the Bay Area were founded by migrants or their children. With Vision Lab, our mission is to support founders with migration backgrounds and actively contribute to building a more diverse startup ecosystem, starting in Germany.
Across Europe, language, cultural, or bureaucratic barriers often prevent people with a migration background from growing great ideas into successful businesses. This perpetuates social inequality, a critical issue demanding attention and hindering societies’ innovative and economic opportunities. Silicon Valley’s impressive founder stories are proof that a diverse tech ecosystem is a massive innovative force and a crucial economic factor. Almost half of all startups in the Bay Area were founded by migrants or their children. With Vision Lab, our mission is to support founders with migration backgrounds and actively contribute to building a more diverse startup ecosystem, starting in Germany.
Resources for Impact
As a long-standing tech investor, we recognize the obligation to use our resources for positive change. We initiated Vision Lab alongside fantastic partners: Bain & Company, Egon Zehnder, Handelsblatt Media Group, and many more. The Vision Lab offers support for entrepreneurial ideas from migrant founders via a six-month program consisting of mentoring, networking, and funding through a Vision Lab Fund investment. The program culminates with Demo Day, in which the Earlybird community, including investors, gathers to hear the pitches from the Vision Lab participating startups. This program is about fostering potential, supporting the ingenuity of our society, and knowing that diversity is always a strength.
Resources for Impact
As a long-standing tech investor, we recognize the obligation to use our resources for positive change. We initiated Vision Lab alongside fantastic partners: Bain & Company, Egon Zehnder, Handelsblatt Media Group, and many more. The Vision Lab offers support for entrepreneurial ideas from migrant founders via a six-month program consisting of mentoring, networking, and funding through a Vision Lab Fund investment. The program culminates with Demo Day, in which the Earlybird community, including investors, gathers to hear the pitches from the Vision Lab participating startups. This program is about fostering potential, supporting the ingenuity of our society, and knowing that diversity is always a strength.
Resources for Impact
As a long-standing tech investor, we recognize the obligation to use our resources for positive change. We initiated Vision Lab alongside fantastic partners: Bain & Company, Egon Zehnder, Handelsblatt Media Group, and many more. The Vision Lab offers support for entrepreneurial ideas from migrant founders via a six-month program consisting of mentoring, networking, and funding through a Vision Lab Fund investment. The program culminates with Demo Day, in which the Earlybird community, including investors, gathers to hear the pitches from the Vision Lab participating startups. This program is about fostering potential, supporting the ingenuity of our society, and knowing that diversity is always a strength.
Our Growth
Since launching the Vision Lab’s first cohort in 2021, we have supported 50 startups and empowered over 100 founders from 42 different countries. None of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of our partners Bain & Company, Handelsblatt Media Group, Migrapreneur, and more.
Our Growth
Since launching the Vision Lab’s first cohort in 2021, we have supported 50 startups and empowered over 100 founders from 42 different countries. None of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of our partners Bain & Company, Handelsblatt Media Group, Migrapreneur, and more.
Our Growth
Since launching the Vision Lab’s first cohort in 2021, we have supported 50 startups and empowered over 100 founders from 42 different countries. None of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of our partners Bain & Company, Handelsblatt Media Group, Migrapreneur, and more.
What we offer
What we offer
What we offer
Program Pillars
Program Pillars
Program Pillars
Vision Lab is made up of three essential elements which promote the success of participating companies.
Vision Lab is made up of three essential elements which promote the success of participating companies.
Vision Lab is made up of three essential elements which promote the success of participating companies.
01 —
Workshops & Networking
Topic-specific workshops with practical advice from our network experts
02 —
Mentorship
Individual coaching by industry professionals, with particular experience in overcoming cultural barriers in the European startup landscape
03 —
Funding
A small convertible loan to boost startups in their journey and accelerate their progress
Ecosystem collaboration
Ecosystem collaboration
Ecosystem collaboration
Our partners
Our partners
Our partners
This impactful program is made possible with continued support from industry leaders.
This impactful program is made possible with continued support from industry leaders.
This impactful program is made possible with continued support from industry leaders.
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Joining Vision Lab
Joining Vision Lab
Joining Vision Lab
who can apply?
who can apply?
who can apply?
Are you a highly motivated founding team in Germany dedicated to making a difference in your industry and successfully translating your business idea into reality? Great – it’s a match.
Are you a highly motivated founding team in Germany dedicated to making a difference in your industry and successfully translating your business idea into reality? Great – it’s a match.
Are you a highly motivated founding team in Germany dedicated to making a difference in your industry and successfully translating your business idea into reality? Great – it’s a match.
We are looking for startup teams with ideas that fulfill the following criteria:
Startups must be based in Germany
Addressing multi-€ billion markets with plenty of room for innovation
Strong entrepreneurial and management personalities
Distinctive MVP with a clear USP, a high degree of defensibility and a convincing product roadmap
First indication of product-market-fit – strong interest from customers and a promising sales pipeline
A healthy business model and a clear understanding of pricing dynamics
SPOTLIGHT COMPANIES
Success Stories
We meet you at eye-level to take your company to the next one.
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
"Vision Lab was an amazing jumping board for success. And the team continues to be extremely supportive."
Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael
Co-Founder & CEO
.
Faircado
01
03
“For us at Re-Fresh Global, being part of Vision Lab provided us with numerous perks, crucial for founders: we got to meet and learn from other ambitious teams with diverse backgrounds and stories, but also gained access to Earlybird's highest management level.”
Viktoria Kanar
Founder & CEO
.
Re-Fresh Global
02
03
"Being an entrepreneur is hard enough; being an entrepreneur in a foreign country doesn't make it easier. The support, network, and knowledge provided by the Earlybird Vision Lab team were crucial to our growth as an early-stage startup."
Evgenii Avdeev
Founder & CEO
.
Lendorse
03
03
FAQS
FAQS
FAQS
Questions? We Have Answers
Questions? We Have Answers
Questions? We Have Answers
If you’re looking for further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you’re looking for further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you’re looking for further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How does Vision Lab specifically address the challenges faced by founders with migration backgrounds?
Vision Lab tackles these obstacles by offering tailored support to entrepreneurs with a migration background. This includes personalized mentorship to navigate the German business landscape and networking opportunities with industry leaders who understand these challenges. Additionally, by providing funding through the Vision Lab Fund, we help reduce financial constraints.
How does Vision Lab specifically address the challenges faced by founders with migration backgrounds?
Vision Lab tackles these obstacles by offering tailored support to entrepreneurs with a migration background. This includes personalized mentorship to navigate the German business landscape and networking opportunities with industry leaders who understand these challenges. Additionally, by providing funding through the Vision Lab Fund, we help reduce financial constraints.
How does Vision Lab specifically address the challenges faced by founders with migration backgrounds?
Vision Lab tackles these obstacles by offering tailored support to entrepreneurs with a migration background. This includes personalized mentorship to navigate the German business landscape and networking opportunities with industry leaders who understand these challenges. Additionally, by providing funding through the Vision Lab Fund, we help reduce financial constraints.
How does the relationship between Vision Lab founders and Earlybird continue after the program?
How does the relationship between Vision Lab founders and Earlybird continue after the program?
How does the relationship between Vision Lab founders and Earlybird continue after the program?
How does Vision Lab define diversity?
How does Vision Lab define diversity?
How does Vision Lab define diversity?
Join vison lab
Get support to strengthen your startup idea in Germany.
Berlin
Münzstraße 23
10178 Berlin
London
19-20 Berners Street
W1T 3NW London
Munich
Maximilianstraße 14
80539 Munich
© 2025 Earlybird Venture Capital. All rights reserved.
Berlin
Münzstraße 23
10178 Berlin
London
19-20 Berners Street
W1T 3NW London
Munich
Maximilianstraße 14
80539 Munich
© 2025 Earlybird Venture Capital. All rights reserved.
Berlin
Münzstraße 23
10178 Berlin
London
19-20 Berners Street
W1T 3NW London
Munich
Maximilianstraße 14
80539 Munich
© 2025 Earlybird Venture Capital. All rights reserved.
Berlin
Münzstraße 23
10178 Berlin
London
19-20 Berners Street
W1T 3NW London
Munich
Maximilianstraße 14
80539 Munich
© 2025 Earlybird Venture Capital. All rights reserved.
Berlin
Münzstraße 23
10178 Berlin
London
19-20 Berners Street
W1T 3NW London
Munich
Maximilianstraße 14
80539 Munich
© 2025 Earlybird Venture Capital. All rights reserved.