SpinLab Accelerator 2027 — Equity-Free Grants Up to ₹54.5L — Frequently Asked Questions

It is the accelerator programme of SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator, an innovation hub based in Leipzig, Germany. SpinLab has worked with over 240 innovators since 2015 and delivers a hybrid programme that mixes on-site focus weeks in Leipzig with online modules, aimed at technology-oriented startups in energy, smart city/digital city and eHealth.

The programme offers equity-free grants of up to EUR 50,000, which is roughly ₹54.5 lakh. Every accepted startup is guaranteed EUR 6,000 (about ₹6.54 lakh) to cover living and travel costs during the Leipzig focus weeks, and the remainder up to the EUR 50,000 ceiling can be won through awards at Investors Day. Startups that relocate or expand to Leipzig may receive an additional EUR 4,000 (around ₹4.36 lakh).

No. SpinLab takes absolutely no equity, no shares and no intellectual property, so you retain 100% ownership of your company during and after the programme. The programme is free for accepted startups and is financed by its partners.

Applications must be submitted by 8 October 2026. An AMA session is held on 5 October for last-minute questions about the programme and the application process.

SpinLab looks for innovative, technology-oriented startups with internationally scalable business concepts. The core focus areas are energy, smart city/digital city and eHealth, plus cross-functional industries that support those fields. In terms of stage, it targets teams in the pre-seed or expansion phase that have a prototype, users or paying users.

Neither is required. Companies can be incorporated or not, including pre-incorporation teams, and SpinLab is open to startups that have raised no external funding as well as those that have taken Angel, Pre-seed, Seed or Series A investment. One condition does apply to the team: at least one founder must have business-level fluency in German or English.

No. The programme is hybrid, so full relocation is not mandatory. At least one founder is encouraged to be present in Leipzig during the designated focus weeks, which typically cover major events and workshops from Tuesday to Thursday. Startups that do choose to expand or relocate operations to Leipzig can receive an extra EUR 4,000 (approximately ₹4.36 lakh).

You need a current pitch deck as a PDF of 10-15 slides, or a pitching video of 7-10 minutes. Either format should cover the problem, the solution, customers, market size, competitors, monetisation strategy, the team, your action plan and financial planning.

Applications are submitted through the official F6S platform at f6s.com/spinlab/apply, before the 8 October 2026 deadline.

All applications are first evaluated by the SpinLab team after the deadline. The best applicants are then invited to pitch live to SpinLab's exclusive advisory board, with typically 12-15 teams reaching that round. The final accelerator class is selected from the live pitch stage.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for SpinLab Accelerator 2027 — Equity-Free Grants Up to ₹54.5L, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

SpinLab Accelerator 2027 — Equity-Free Grants Up to ₹54.5L is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.