Ben Wilkins is part of the team at Earlybird, one of Germany’s oldest and most respected venture capital firms. But he’s not just investing in startups—he’s helping build the bridge for migrant entrepreneurs through Vision Lab, a unique incubator for first-generation founders who want to launch and scale businesses in Germany. In this interview, Ben shares how the program works, why networks matter more than ever, and what it really takes to succeed in the German startup scene.

Sigrid
Welcome to our interview with Ben Wilkins from Earlybird. First of all—hello and welcome, Ben!

Ben
Hello! Thank you so much for having me. I’m really happy to be here.

Sigrid
We’re happy to have you! So let’s get straight to it: what is Earlybird?

Ben
Earlybird is one of the oldest and most established venture capital firms in Germany. It was founded in 1997 and has been investing in high-tech startups ever since.

Sigrid
And now you’ve launched something exciting for non-German founders.

Ben
Exactly! It’s called the Earlybird Vision Lab—an incubator and small fund specifically for startups founded by first-generation migrants who’ve come to Germany to build and grow their businesses.

On Bureaucracy and Moving to Germany

Sigrid
You’ve also lived in Russia. Would you say starting a company in Germany is harder?

Ben
Well, let’s just say—Russia isn’t exactly famous for being easy either! So I’m used to bureaucracy. But yes, people coming from places like the US often find German bureaucracy overwhelming. That’s something we try to help with at Vision Lab—supporting founders as they navigate the maze.

Sigrid
And with the current political climate—are people more anxious?

Ben
Definitely. Over the last decade, things had become more open for foreign founders, but now we’re seeing a bit of a reversal. There’s growing uncertainty, and people are feeling it.

Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship

Sigrid
Let’s talk about entrepreneurship. What’s the first hurdle for someone wanting to start their own business here?

Ben
Honestly, just moving to Germany to start something is already an entrepreneurial act. That’s a huge decision. Many migrants here are highly qualified—they could get well-paid jobs. So choosing to take the risk and start your own company in a new country? That’s brave and very entrepreneurial in itself.

Sigrid
And what about the classic belief—you *need* a business plan?

Ben
Well, yes and no. Of course, any founder—German or not—has to face similar challenges. But what we’re really looking for is a product or idea with global potential. We back scalable, innovative tech with something unique—whether that’s the technology itself or the branding behind it.

Inside the Vision Lab

Sigrid
Tell us more about the Vision Lab. How does it work?

Ben
We run six-month cohorts, and they roll continuously—so every six months a new group starts. We’re just launching our sixth cohort now. Each one accepts 12 startups.

There are two main criteria: at least one founder must be a first-generation migrant, and the company must be a registered German legal entity. Beyond that, we look for what we call „venture cases“—startups with something defensible and scalable that sets them apart from the competition.

Trends in Tech and Startup Innovation

Sigrid
Have you seen shifts in the kinds of startups being launched over the years?

Ben
Absolutely. It changes constantly. Ten years ago it was IoT, then blockchain. Now it’s AI and clean tech. Some of it’s hype, of course, but the key is figuring out what’s real and impactful, and what’s just noise.

The Power of Community and Network

Sigrid
And what role does community play in all this?

Ben
It’s everything. Many founders we work with have great ideas and skills—but they lack the network. And without it, it’s hard to raise money or get visibility. So yes, the startup community and the network around you are crucial.

Sigrid
Thank you so much, Ben. Hopefully this inspires some listeners to reach out to you and apply!

Ben
Thank you! And yes, if anyone wants to apply, it’s simple: just send an email with your pitch deck and a few details to: visionlab@earlybird.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Sigrid
Perfect. Thanks again, Ben—and until next time!

Ben
Thanks for having me. Take care!