RESPOND, the accelerator program of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt with support from UnternehmerTUM, enters its third round. From today until February 27, 2022, founders can apply to the six-month program. For this year’s cohort, we are looking above all for regenerative economy solutions. RESPOND is convinced that these solutions make a crucial contribution to complying with the climate goals and the UN 2030 Agenda. 

The program consists of four sprint phases. The founders will receive both online and in-person training in Munich. In addition, they will be offered numerous coachings and workshops around topics such as business model development, leadership development, marketing and sales. The participants will be given mentoring opportunities and benefit from the global networks of the BMW Foundation and UnternehmerTUM. At the conclusion of the program, the startups have the opportunity to present their projects to an international group of investors, industry and media representatives.

A regenerative economy for a better world 

The transformation towards a regenerative economy comprises the entire chain of economic activities, from the extraction and use of resources to the production and consumption of goods and services. Regenerative business models are becoming more and more important for an economy respectful of our planetary limits. In selecting this year’s startups, RESPOND is looking for solutions that promote the responsible and equitable use of resources, sustainable production and consumption patterns, and approaches that support the regeneration of ecosystems. 

Bennet Barth, Managing Director RESPOND, BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt: “Mankind is using far more resources than the earth can provide. To counter this exploitation of the planet, we need quickly scalable solutions based on regenerative and holistic approaches. We see startups and their technological innovations as part of the solution, which is why this year we want to support founders that help transform the economy through regenerative approaches.” These could include early warning systems for changes in environmental conditions, solutions to tackle rising temperatures or sea levels, or approaches to regenerative agriculture. 

Moritz Förster, Director Operations at RESPOND, UnternehmerTUM, added: “We are proud of everything we have been able to achieve together with the participants of the last programs. For the diverse challenges that we face globally, we need the innovative spirit, energy, and courage of the founders to break new ground and go beyond traditional ways of doing business. We are convinced that the innovations by startups can help achieve the climate goals and implement the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.” 

RESPOND enters its third round in 2022. The program’s first two years were a tremendous success: RESPOND received more than 700 applications from 74 countries. In addition, networking is of particular importance: Founders have the opportunity to connect with 45 VCs, 74 mentors, and 27 partners, including renowned startup greats such as HV Capital or Earlybird Venture Capital.