xDeck

xplore your true potential.

the accelerator. from founders. for founders.

join the founders accelerator

We are xdeck, the accelerator from founders, for founders. From founders — we built FOND OF, a soon 100 million Euro in revenues company. For founders – we focus on your individual needs and do not ask for your equity. We especially help digital and tech startups, whether B2B or B2C. With the potential to shape the consumer and commerce industries of the future.

Apply now

application timeline

31/01/2020: Applications for the Pioneers Batch closed*

March/April: Launch of the Pioneers Batch

Fall 2020: Next startup batch joins xdeck

*Any applications received thereafter will be considered for later xdeck admissions. Please continue to apply.

application timeline
from founders
for founders

We are founders.

We are FOND OF. We are a large startup founded in 2010. FOND OF is a platform for personal growth and innovation. Winner of the German Entrepreneur Award 2017. It’s also a consumer goods and lifestyle company. Rapidly moving towards 100m Euro annual revenues. Fully owned by its founders. Growing profitably since year two and disrupting markets across seven brands and in more than 35 countries. Producing socially and ecologically responsibly. Developing close relationships with our customers. And deeply caring for our soon 300 team members. Now, we are building xdeck. xdeck is a place where we ...
  • Give back and support other founders
  • Open our network and multiply opportunities
  • Learn from innovative startups about the latest trends in consumer, commerce and tech
  • Offer our team players and those of our partners the room to work side by side with inspiring founders

we support founders as passionate as ourselves.

We seek to become Europe’s #1 acceleration platform for revolutionary ideas in consumer, commerce and digital. On xdeck, you and your startup receive a holistic package “from founders, for founders” to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey. This package includes:
  • A tailormade 4-6 months program
  • Access to our corporate and investor network
  • Mentoring from real entrepreneurs who have founded startups themselves
  • Knowledge and operative support based on your needs
  • Office space at THE SHIP in Cologne, Ehrenfeld
  • Initial funding of up to 20k Euro (no equity required)
  • Tech credits from aws
  • Customer pilot projects (if business model applicable)
  • …all at no costs for you
from founders

We are founders.

We are FOND OF. We are a large startup founded in 2010. FOND OF is a platform for personal growth and innovation. Winner of the German Entrepreneur Award 2017. It’s also a consumer goods and lifestyle company. Rapidly moving towards 100m Euro annual revenues. Fully owned by its founders. Growing profitably since year two and disrupting markets across seven brands and in more than 35 countries. Producing socially and ecologically responsibly. Developing close relationships with our customers. And deeply caring for our soon 300 team members. Now, we are building xdeck. xdeck is a place where we ...
  • Give back and support other founders
  • Open our network and multiply opportunities
  • Learn from innovative startups about the latest trends in consumer, commerce and tech
  • Offer our team players and those of our partners the room to work side by side with inspiring founders
for founders

we support founders as passionate as ourselves.

We seek to become Europe’s #1 acceleration platform for revolutionary ideas in consumer, commerce and digital. On xdeck, you and your startup receive a holistic package “from founders, for founders” to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey. This package includes:
  • A tailormade 4-6 months program
  • Access to our corporate and investor network
  • Mentoring from real entrepreneurs who have founded startups themselves
  • Knowledge and operative support based on your needs
  • Office space at THE SHIP in Cologne, Ehrenfeld
  • Initial funding of up to 20k Euro (no equity required)
  • Tech credits from aws
  • Customer pilot projects (if business model applicable)
  • …all at no costs for you

why join xdeck?

First, we are true entrepreneurs - we know what you need. Second, we have outstanding mentors and partners by our side who provide their expertise and resources. Third, we do not ask for your equity in return for our program.

Apply now

meet the team

Slide 1 of 13

  • Oliver Steinki,Founding Partner

    Co-founder FOND OF and developer & owner of THE SHIP. Oli is passionate about finance, operations and real estate development. He used to be a banker and has a Ph.D. in Financial Mathematics.

    Oli
    Founding Partner

  • Sven-Oliver Pink,Founding Partner

    Co-founder FOND OF and owner of THE SHIP. Sven is passionate about building new brands from scratch, organizational development and visionary ideas. He used to be a consultant and holds a degree in business.

    Sven
    Founding Partner

  • Florian Michajlezko,Founding Partner

    Co-founder FOND OF and owner of THE SHIP. Flo is passionate about product development, distribution and teamwork. He used to be a financial consultant and holds a degree in business.

    Flo
    Founding Partner

  • Nils Eiteneyer,Co-Founder and Managing Director

    Nils is passionate about building new businesses and impact in the team. He used to be MD of a retail startup invested in by FOND OF, head of RWTH's startup center and a consultant at McKinsey. He holds a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Finance and Innovation.

    Nils
    Co-Founder and Managing Director

  • Nik Tavakoli,Ventures Associate

    Consultant at McKinsey Digital currently on leave for xdeck. Nik is passionate about digital business models and finance. He used to be a self-employed tech consultant and a product team member at company builder Finleap. He holds a master's degree in Finance.

    Nik
    Ventures Associate

  • Jemma McCreesh,Junior Marketing Associate

    Jemma is passionate about marketing and communication. She used to be an English language teacher in Vietnam. Currently, she is completing her MBA at Cologne Business School.

    Jemma
    Junior Marketing Associate

  • Maurice Kügler,Resident HTGF Investment Manager

    Maurice is passionate about investing in aspirational startups. He used to be a consultant at Capgemini Invent and a software developer at SAP. He has a Ph.D. in Business Information Systems.

    Maurice
    Resident HTGF Investment Manager

  • Malte Geisen,Junior Ventures Associate

    Malte is passionate about new business models and university startups. He is also chairman of the Entrepreneurs Club Cologne e.V. & co-founder of RHIVE. He is just about to complete his degree at the University of Cologne.

    Malte
    Junior Ventures Associate

  • Nadja Riedel,Junior Ventures Associate

    Nadja is passionate about innovative businesses. She used to work as an e-commerce specialist for a retail startup and has already launched an own early-stage business. She holds a bachelor's degree in social sciences and media science.

    Nadja
    Junior Ventures Associate

  • Dennis Zeiler,Ventures Associate

    Dennis is passionate about supporting founders in building and scaling their ventures. He used to be head of the incubator at WHU, the business school that’s so famous for its many startups and founders. He is about to complete his Ph.D. on the topic of entrepreneurial passion.

    Dennis
    Ventures Associate

  • Jackie Paloma Paul,Entrepreneur in Residence

    Jackie is Co-founder of TONI CORE and entrepreneur in residence on xdeck.
    She is deeply passionate about product development and creating authentic consumer brands. Jackie used to work as a product manager for pinqponq and holds a master's degree in Strategic Management.

    Jackie
    Entrepreneur in Residence

  • Felicia Hommel,Entrepreneur in Residence

    Felicia is Co-founder of TONI CORE and entrepreneur in residence on xdeck.
    Felicia is passionate about starting businesses from scratch, sales and finance. In the past, she's worked in several digital start-ups helping them to scale. She holds a master's degree in General Management.

    Felicia
    Entrepreneur in Residence

  • Markus Sudhoff,Entrepreneur in Residence

    Markus is the Founder of CLIMATE FOUNDERS and entrepreneur in residence on xdeck.
    Markus is passionate about startups and helping other founders. In the past he co-founded several companies, led an accelerator program and worked as a full time Mentor and Angel Investor. He holds a master's degree in General Management.

    Markus
    Entrepreneur in Residence
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meet the team

Slide 1 of 13

  • Oliver Steinki,Founding Partner

    Co-founder FOND OF and developer & owner of THE SHIP. Oli is passionate about finance, operations and real estate development. He used to be a banker and has a Ph.D. in Financial Mathematics.

    Oli
    Founding Partner

  • Sven-Oliver Pink,Founding Partner

    Co-founder FOND OF and owner of THE SHIP. Sven is passionate about building new brands from scratch, organizational development and visionary ideas. He used to be a consultant and holds a degree in business.

    Sven
    Founding Partner

  • Florian Michajlezko,Founding Partner

    Co-founder FOND OF and owner of THE SHIP. Flo is passionate about product development, distribution and teamwork. He used to be a financial consultant and holds a degree in business.

    Flo
    Founding Partner

  • Nils Eiteneyer,Co-Founder and Managing Director

    Nils is passionate about building new businesses and impact in the team. He used to be MD of a retail startup invested in by FOND OF, head of RWTH's startup center and a consultant at McKinsey. He holds a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Finance and Innovation.

    Nils
    Co-Founder and Managing Director

  • Nik Tavakoli,Ventures Associate

    Consultant at McKinsey Digital currently on leave for xdeck. Nik is passionate about digital business models and finance. He used to be a self-employed tech consultant and a product team member at company builder Finleap. He holds a master's degree in Finance.

    Nik
    Ventures Associate

  • Jemma McCreesh,Junior Marketing Associate

    Jemma is passionate about marketing and communication. She used to be an English language teacher in Vietnam. Currently, she is completing her MBA at Cologne Business School.

    Jemma
    Junior Marketing Associate

  • Maurice Kügler,Resident HTGF Investment Manager

    Maurice is passionate about investing in aspirational startups. He used to be a consultant at Capgemini Invent and a software developer at SAP. He has a Ph.D. in Business Information Systems.

    Maurice
    Resident HTGF Investment Manager

  • Malte Geisen,Junior Ventures Associate

    Malte is passionate about new business models and university startups. He is also chairman of the Entrepreneurs Club Cologne e.V. & co-founder of RHIVE. He is just about to complete his degree at the University of Cologne.

    Malte
    Junior Ventures Associate

  • Nadja Riedel,Junior Ventures Associate

    Nadja is passionate about innovative businesses. She used to work as an e-commerce specialist for a retail startup and has already launched an own early-stage business. She holds a bachelor's degree in social sciences and media science.

    Nadja
    Junior Ventures Associate

  • Dennis Zeiler,Ventures Associate

    Dennis is passionate about supporting founders in building and scaling their ventures. He used to be head of the incubator at WHU, the business school that’s so famous for its many startups and founders. He is about to complete his Ph.D. on the topic of entrepreneurial passion.

    Dennis
    Ventures Associate

  • Jackie Paloma Paul,Entrepreneur in Residence

    Jackie is Co-founder of TONI CORE and entrepreneur in residence on xdeck.
    She is deeply passionate about product development and creating authentic consumer brands. Jackie used to work as a product manager for pinqponq and holds a master's degree in Strategic Management.

    Jackie
    Entrepreneur in Residence

  • Felicia Hommel,Entrepreneur in Residence

    Felicia is Co-founder of TONI CORE and entrepreneur in residence on xdeck.
    Felicia is passionate about starting businesses from scratch, sales and finance. In the past, she's worked in several digital start-ups helping them to scale. She holds a master's degree in General Management.

    Felicia
    Entrepreneur in Residence

  • Markus Sudhoff,Entrepreneur in Residence

    Markus is the Founder of CLIMATE FOUNDERS and entrepreneur in residence on xdeck.
    Markus is passionate about startups and helping other founders. In the past he co-founded several companies, led an accelerator program and worked as a full time Mentor and Angel Investor. He holds a master's degree in General Management.

    Markus
    Entrepreneur in Residence
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What other founders say about us:

Slide 1 of 5
  • Florian has an extraordinary grasp of business models and product-market fit
    Michael Steinbach
    Michael Steinbach
    Founder 2E and serial entrepreneur
    Michael Steinbach
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Slide 1 of 5
  • Michael Steinbach
    Florian has an extraordinary grasp of business models and product-market fit
    Michael Steinbach
    Founder 2E and serial entrepreneur
Previous
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how it works for

found ers

Learn about our acceleration program. Come on board of xdeck!

mentors

Founders on xdeck are mentored by experienced entrepreneurs. See who's with us.

partners

xdeck is realized jointly with strong partners. See who's with us.

Investors

Startups on xdeck regularly meet potential investors. See who's with us.

community

xdeck is part of a rich entrepreneurial ecosystem. See who's with us.

how it works for

found ers

Learn about our acceleration program. Come on board of xdeck!

ment ors

Founders on xdeck are mentored by experienced entrepreneurs. See who's with us.

partn ers

xdeck is realized jointly with strong partners. See who's with us.

Invest ors

Startups on xdeck regularly meet potential investors. See who's with us.

comm unity

xdeck is part of a rich entrepreneurial ecosystem. See who's with us.

our vision

xdeck

On xdeck, we provide new fuel for entrepreneurship. We work with founders to create lasting businesses. We work with universities to foster positive innovation. And we will work with school kids to educate them about entrepreneurship and tackling the challenges of tomorrow. We want to make a difference.

our partners

McKinsey & Company
Fond Of
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Heuking Kuhn Luer Wojtek
Kienbaum

Our personal supporters:

Prof. Dr. Malte Brettel (Vice Rector RWTH Aachen), Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht (Chairman of the Supervisory Board BASF), Stephan Schubert (Managing Partner STS Ventures), Dr. Klaus Behrenbeck (Senior Partner McKinsey & Company), Dr. Peter Breuer (Senior Partner McKinsey & Company), Dr. Alex von Frankenberg (MD High-Tech Gründerfonds), Jörg Binnenbrücker (Partner Capnamic Ventures), Dr. Oliver Böttcher (Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek, Dr. Frank Sänger (Senior Partner McKinsey & Company)