Step USA 2026
Take the next step now and apply for the STEP USA Lower Saxony/Bremen program in New York City
The U.S. is a lucrative market for innovative products and business models, as well as for venture capital. The U.S. therefore offers unique opportunities for Bremen-based startups as well. But how can young start-ups successfully establish a foothold in the U.S. or connect with investors? What are the dos and don'ts to keep in mind? Who can open the right doors?
The German-American Chamber of Commerce in New York (GACCNY), provides concrete support in this regard through the STEP USA program!
On behalf of the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation, Starthaus Bremen & Bremerhaven is supporting the participation of five Bremen-based startups in the STEP USA Lower Saxony/Bremen program, which will take place from December 7 to 10, 2026, in New York City, USA.
Join Step USA as a Start-up from Bremen
Apply now for the 4-day STEP USA program, organized this year by the German-American Chamber of Commerce in New York City (GACCNY) as a program specifically for Lower Saxony and Bremen. There, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the dynamic U.S. start-up ecosystem and have the opportunity to network with potential U.S. venture capital investors, U.S. customers, and U.S. experts.
STEP USA is a start-up program run by the German-American Chamber of Commerce designed to help German startups enter the U.S. market and find investors. It has been held 58 times to date; 633 start-ups from all over Germany have participated so far, resulting in 130 U.S. incorporations, and nearly 75 startups have received Series A or B investment in the U.S. The STEP USA alumni network now comprises 1,000 people.
Starthaus Bremen & Bremerhaven supports your participation by covering the full cost of course fees and program components, amounting to 4,000 euros per start-up. Two people per start-up may participate. Costs for travel, accommodation, meals, and any other expenses are not covered and must be borne by the participants themselves.
All important information about the STEP USA program, including alumni reports, can be found here.
Who can apply?
Start-ups are eligible if they
- have their headquarters or a branch office in the state of Bremen
- qualify as a small enterprise according to the SME definition in Annex I of the General Block Exemption Regulation (AGVO) (fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of no more than €10 million)
- were founded before January 1, 2026, and are no older than 7 years at the time of application, as per their entry in the commercial register*
- have not applied for or received comparable funding from state or federal programs for the same event
- see themselves as ambassadors for start-ups in the Bremen region
- have a viable business model and positive future prospects
- already have a market-ready product and are generating initial revenue
- are pursuing a plausible internationalization strategy focused on the U.S., to be implemented starting in 2027/2028, or are seeking U.S. investors
- fulfill the requirements of the de minimis regulation and
- have not previously received funding for participate in the STEP USA program
*For companies that are not required to be registered in the commercial register, the seven-year period begins when the company commences business operations or becomes subject to tax liability.
Application Process - The following must be submitted
- Completed application form
- Compelling pitch deck (max. 14 pages in German or English)
Also included in the pitch deck:- Two slides explaining how participation in the STEP USA program can contribute to the development of your company with regard to market entry and/or seeking investors in the U.S.
- CVs of the participating individuals (max. 2 pages each)
- Completed de minimis declaration
- Extract from the commercial register / business registration
- Extract from the transparency register (information on beneficial owners pursuant to Section 19 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG))
- List of shareholders (for corporations, up to the second level)
- Organizational chart, if applicable
Selection process
An internal selection committee makes decisions based on the following criteria:
- plausible description of the company's focus regarding market entry and/or seeking investors in the U.S.
- maturity of the start-ups and its business model
- quality of the pitch deck and
- suitability of the applicants to serve as "Bremen Ambassadors".
How can you apply?
Complete application materials must be submitted via email to:
- teamstartup@starthaus-bremen.de
- Subject "STEP USA 2026 - Application"
The application deadline is Sunday, August 16, 2026 (23:59 Uhr CES).
The time of receipt by Starthaus Bremen & Bremerhaven will be considered the official submission time.
Starthaus Bremen & Bremerhaven is expected to make a decision on the awarding of funding by the end of August 2026. There is no legal entitlement to funding.
