The "Brand Lift" accelerator programme supports product designers on their way to a successful brand strategy. The aim is to create funding structures for smart product ideas and thus strengthen Hamburg as a design centre.
- Three-month funding programme from October 2025-January 2026
- Workshops, individual coaching sessions and a financial grant of 1,500 euros each
- Conclusion at the Nordstil trade fair on 10-12 January 2026
Hamburg, 23.10.2025 With Brand Lift, Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft is launching a new funding programme through its Design Zentrum Hamburg initiative to support up-and-coming design brands from the Hamburg metropolitan region in their strategic development. Over the course of three months, the selected founders learn how to sharpen their brand identity in order to be successful on the market in the long term.
The focus is on developing sustainable structures, digital visibility and resilient supply chains. In addition to a financial grant of 1,500 euros each, participants receive workshops on topics such as logistics and price calculation as well as coaching sessions with industry experts. The strategies developed are tested under real market conditions in a real laboratory. The finale will be a joint trade fair appearance at the international B2B trade fair Nordstil from 10 to 12 January 2026.
"Design brands are born from a strong creative vision. But to be successful in the long term, they need a clear strategy. With the Brand Lift, up-and-coming brands can take the step from creative idea to commercial success," says programme manager Annika Fitz.
"Hamburg has a lively design scene. With our new funding programme, we are supporting innovative design brands in exploiting their potential and remaining economically viable. At the same time, we are strengthening Hamburg as a location by making it more attractive for up-and-coming brands," says Laura Rohloff, Head of the Design Centre.
The brands at a glance
The Propcorner stands for fairly produced fashion and lifestyle products with attitude. Messages inspired by feminism and pop culture are conveyed with a wink in high-quality designs.
Baum uses 3D printing to produce striking, modular home accessories. Aesthetics are combined with clever dual usability, so that a luminaire, for example, switches effortlessly between ambient light and focussed spotlight.
ASK THE FOX combines lifestyle with safety: the stylish cosy blankets also function as certified fire blankets and make a design-conscious contribution to a safe home.
archetools develops objects for everyday use that are characterised by their precise design and intuitive usability. Thanks to the intelligent use of materials, the products are particularly easy to produce, transport, assemble and disassemble.
The founders are supported by renowned experts from the industry specialising in marketing, branding and business development: Kristina Bonitz (strategist and founder of Serotonin), Elina Artis (coach and lecturer), Jennifer Bortchen (communications consultant), Falko Ohlmer (managing director of the Arndt Benedikt agency) and Kathrin Harlfinger (entrepreneur and founder of POCKETS).
Expert jury and selection
Unique selling points in the product range and the potential in terms of scalability of production and sales markets were the key factors in the selection of the brands. A jury of experts, including coaches from the programme (Falko Ohlmer, Jennifer Bortchen) and members of the Design Zentrum advisory board (Henning Otto, Claudia S. Friedrich), selected the four most promising brands from almost twenty applications.
The close networking with established Hamburg companies and mentors not only enables the participants to further develop their business ideas, but also creates a valuable platform for future collaborations.
Sale at the Nordstil trade fair 2026
A highlight of the programme is the joint presentation stand at the B2B consumer goods trade fair Nordstil from 10 to 12 January in Hamburg. Press representatives are cordially invited to visit the brands on site: You will find us in Hall A3 at Stand F33.
All information on the Brand Lift Accelerator programme can be found on the Design Zentrum website.
