Initiatives of theHamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
Music WorX is Europe's first publicly funded incubator for start-ups in the music & tech sector. We offer effective start-up support for founders in the music industry.
Music WorX is an incubator for early-stage start-ups from the music tech scene - and more than just a classic incubator programme: we believe that strong ideas need strong stories to succeed in the market. Over the course of three intensive months, we will support you in moulding your idea into a marketable vision with a clear narrative - and in making the right connections to bring this vision to the world.
The programme is divided into three phases:
Clarity - Define Your Focus (September)
You develop a well-founded vision that combines market demand, product idea and impact into a coherent overall picture. It's not just about the what, but also the why.
Storytelling - Craft Your Narrative (October)
Sharpen your communication skills: learn how to tell your story convincingly - visually, linguistically and strategically.
Connection - Build Your Network (November)
Activate your network, make strategically relevant contacts and position your idea in the industry.
Music WorX offers you space for real development with experienced mentors, a lively network and strong sparring partners at your side.
Application phase: 5 May - 18 June 2025
The application phase has started.
Apply now
Celina Behn is in charge of the funding program "Frei_Fläche: Raum für kreative Zwischennutzung" (Free_space: space for creative interim use) as project manager within our Space unit.
Celina Behn studied Urban Planning at HafenCity University Hamburg and has already worked in various practical fields in the urban development sector. In various projects (including with Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft), she dealt thoroughly with the interactions between creative industries and urban development.
Each team receives up to 3,200 euros for support services to further develop the business idea. For the duration of the programme, each team also receives a total of 1,500 euros per month as a living allowance.
You will regularly meet with all teams in workshops and training sessions and receive valuable input on the following topics:
In addition, you can expect individual 1:1 sparring sessions with experts as well as advice and dialogue with experienced mentors from the music industry, tech and business.
Two Music WorX pitches await you during the programme, giving you the chance to win a jury prize and an audience prize.
We bring you together with Hamburg companies and network you with relevant industry representatives.
The programme is aimed at teams of early-stage founders from all over Europe who have a business idea at the interface between music and tech. Do you want to develop your idea together? Then Music WorX is the right place for you.
In our application form, we ask for key information about your business idea, your team and your motivation. A meaningful description of your idea is particularly important to us - regardless of whether you also submit a pitch deck or not. We want to understand why you are applying, what drives you and what impact your idea can have. If you have any questions about the application, please get in touch with Helene Berling.
After the application deadline on 18 June 2025, a jury of experts will select the most promising business ideas and invite the selected teams to a digital prepitch. Here, the jury will decide which five teams will take part in the incubator from September 2025. To kick off the programme, there will be a kick-off event lasting several days in Hamburg (probably four days) - this is where you will get to know each other and the programme team and lay the foundations for the coming weeks together.
No, you can apply even before the company is officially founded. If you have already officially founded and registered the company, this is not a reason for exclusion.
At least 2 people per team should take part in the programme. We value diversity and welcome all applications - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion, disability or age.
Ideally, you are still in the early stage, i.e. you are still in the start-up phase or have just founded your company but are not yet ready for the market. If you have already completed an accelerator programme, the incubator is probably no longer right for you.
Yes, each team receives up to €3,200 for support services to further develop the business idea. In addition, each team receives a total of €1,500 per month as a living allowance for the duration of the programme.
Not continuous. The programme combines digital formats with selective attendance phases in Hamburg. It is important that you are on site for certain programme points - in particular:
In the weeks in between, individual workshops and formats will also take place in Hamburg - also to strengthen the network among the teams and to make synergies in the incubator tangible. However, a large part of the programme will be held remotely. Teams from all over Europe are very welcome!
Apply for Music WorX: The application phase runs from 5 May to 18 June 2025.
An expert jury will select four teams from the applications to take part in the Music WorX Incubator 2025.
You develop a well-founded vision that combines market demand, product idea and impact into a coherent overall picture. It's not just about the what, but also about the why. The kick-off dates are: 11.-12.09. and 15-16.09.
You sharpen your communication skills: learn to tell your story convincingly - visually, linguistically and strategically.
You activate your network, make strategically relevant contacts and position your idea in the industry.
The Music WorX Pitch is the final event of the programme. Now it's time to get your idea out into the world. At the Music WorX Pitch, all teams pitch their business ideas to an audience of industry experts and interested parties. The public pitch will take place in the week from 3 - 7 November 2025.
We are also available to teams after the programme has ended, provide networking and advice. If required, we can help with the follow-up funding.
Speaker for Music Industry
Ministry of Culture and Media Hamburg
