Deutsche Bank is moving one step closer to Europe's start-up scene by partnering with the start-up accelerator Axel Springer Plug and Play to select, develop, and finance up-and-coming technology companies from sectors such as banking and insurance. Both companies have now signed a cooperation agreement in Berlin. Axel Springer Plug and Play, a joint venture between the media company Axel Springer and California-based Plug and Play Tech Center, is Europe's leading accelerator for the development of technology start-ups in the media and financial sectors. In its role as a financial institution, Deutsche Bank will be an exclusive Axel Springer Plug and Play partner. Through this cooperation, both companies are pushing for a faster, more targeted way to find promising digital start-ups from sectors such as banking and insurance, support their business success and provide financing.

"With Axel Springer Plug and Play, we have the right partner for finding the best digital start-ups throughout Europe," said Markus Pertlwieser, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of Deutsche Bank's Private, Wealth & Commercial Clients (PW&CC) corporate division. "For us, this is a strategic step towards accelerating the digital transformation of our core business and investing in new digital business models."

Jörg Rheinboldt, Managing Director of Axel Springer Plug and Play: "Fintech and insurtech are rapidly developing sectors. Innovative start-ups are growing strongly and are changing user behaviour for good. Our accelerator programme has demonstrated that we are capable of spotting successful start-up teams and business models early in the game and supporting them in their growth, also in these sectors. Having Deutsche Bank as a partner gives us additional expertise and the means to build on this basis in a targeted manner. We are delighted that we will be able to do an even better job of supporting start-ups in the future by working together."

Deutsche Bank will help select technology start-ups and will cooperate with Axel Springer Plug and Play to offer them support, workshops, and financing. In return, the bank will gain a seat on the selection committee, with voting rights. Axel Springer Plug and Play will retain a majority in the decision-making body. The start-ups selected to receive funding will also gain access to the bank's Innovation Labs and its Digital Factory in Frankfurt, allowing Deutsche Bank to combine the new partnership with its own research and development activities in the field of digitalisation.

Axel Springer Plug and Play has already invested in 86 digital companies. As part of a 100-day programme, it provides them with EUR 25,000 in seed financing and access to experts and mentors, as well as the use of offices at a co-working space. The best digital business models receive follow-on financing. More than 1,500 start-ups have applied for support from Axel Springer Plug and Play in the past three years. The start-ups selected to receive funding come from 32 countries, including the US and Israel.