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START Berlin members together at a community event

JoinSTART Berlin.

Meet the people building Berlin's startup ecosystem. Join a student-run community where you contribute to projects and learn alongside fellow members.

Onboarding DayMeet your fellow members
START Hut Weekend–A weekend with the community
A speaker and audience at a START Berlin event
Your time at START

A community
you contribute to.

Explore entrepreneurship with students who share your curiosity. Take responsibility in a department and help shape what START Berlin does.

  • Meet people beyond your university.

    Get to know fellow members and alumni. Find people to exchange ideas with or build something together.

  • Learn directly from the ecosystem.

    Join startup and VC visits. Take part in workshops with people who have built companies and invested in them.

  • Make projects happen.

    Organise events or develop our internal tools. Your department gives you a place to contribute and learn through practice.

  • Connect across the START Network.

    Meet peers from other chapters across Europe and Latin America, with opportunities to take part in international START programmes.

Who can apply

Bring your curiosity.
Commit your time.

  • You are currently enrolled at university.
  • You are passionate about entrepreneurship, whether you want to become a founder or explore venture capital and the startup ecosystem.
  • You will be based in Berlin for at least the next six months.
  • You are ready to contribute as an active member for one full year.
Application & onboarding

From your application
to your first day.

  1. Send your application.

    5–26 October 2026

    Tell us about your motivation and upload your CV. Choose a short video or written answers. You will receive a confirmation email after submitting.

  2. Meet us in an interview.

    After screening, selected applicants are invited to an interview. We will email you the details.

  3. Hear back from us.

    We will email you the outcome of your application and the next steps.

  4. Join the Onboarding Day.

    15 November 2026

    Meet the START Berlin community and get to know your fellow members. Please keep this day free, as it is a mandatory event for new members.

  5. Come to the START Hut Weekend.

    11–13 December 2026

    Spend a weekend with the START Berlin community. We will share further details with selected applicants.

Fall 2026 timeline: applications from 5 to 26 October 2026, interviews and decisions by email, Onboarding Day on 15 November, and START Hut Weekend from 11 to 13 December. Afterwards, contribute through your department and community activities.
View the full-size timeline
words of former starties

what our alumni say

"START was the best learning environment I’ve ever been in. At 23, I led a team, made mistakes, and actually learned how to get things done—not just alone, but with others."

"START Berlin changed everything. I found a community of driven, like-minded people who inspired me to grow both personally and professionally. START opened doors I didn't know existed."

"START Berlin gave me so much value—not just during my time as a member, but long after. Through the community, I landed my first job and built lasting friendships here in Berlin."

POLINA Shcheglova
Member 19/20

Find your place
in the team.

Every member contributes through a department. Explore the teams and tell us where you would like to get involved.

Events

Plan and run events that connect students with Berlin's startup ecosystem. Work with speakers and venues on founder talks and company visits.

Growth

Make START Berlin visible to students and the wider startup community. Create content and run campaigns for our events and application rounds.

Operations & Digital

Build the tools and processes that keep START Berlin running. Work on our website and internal systems, and make everyday work easier for our departments.

People

Help recruit new members and support them from application to onboarding. Organise community activities that bring our members together.

Partnerships

Connect START Berlin with startups and partners across Berlin's ecosystem. Develop collaborations for our events and maintain relationships beyond a single project.

Before you apply

A few practical
details.

Do I need a startup idea to join?

No. You can apply if you are curious about entrepreneurship and want to contribute. You do not need an existing startup idea.

Do I have to record a video?

The application offers a short video or written answers. Both options are available, so choose the format that works for you. You will also be asked to upload your CV.

When will interviews take place?

Selected applicants will receive their interview details by email. Keep an eye on your inbox after applying.

How much time should I commit?

We ask you to contribute as an active member for one full year and be based in Berlin for at least the next six months. Your contribution depends on your department and projects, and we can discuss this in your interview.

Can I request support with my application?

If you need an adjustment to the application process, or have a question about your eligibility, email recruiting@start-berlin.com.

Start your
application.

Tell us what motivates you to join and how you would like to contribute.

Questions? recruiting@start-berlin.com