Startnext was founded to build a community that makes bold ideas possible. It is a place where people can find the space to make their projects visible, gain support, and set things in motion together with others.

Trust is the foundation for this. It does not arise automatically through a platform, but through relationships, visibility, and reliable communication. Startnext thrives when project starters share their ideas openly, supporters can understand what a project is about, and everyone involved acts responsibly toward one another.

Startnext’s self-understanding

• Everyone should feel encouraged to take the leap here.

• Startnext creates a space for people who want to test, develop, and realize ideas together with their community.

• Trust emerges when project starters make their ideas visible early on, build relationships, and invite people to actively join them on their journey.

• Startnext aims to question systemic barriers and support people in making their projects visible independently of traditional gatekeepers.

The responsibility for the projects themselves lies with the starters.

All Startnext projects are passion projects created by people who truly believe in their ideas. Bringing new ideas to life, however, is not always easy. Delays may occur, plans may change, or assumptions may turn out not to be viable.

This is not failure, but part of the process. What matters is how it is handled: openly, transparently, honestly, and responsibly. Project starters are responsible for keeping their supporters involved, explaining developments in a clear and understandable way, and strengthening trust through clear communication.

This is what creates the foundation for crowdfunding: people support not only an idea, but also the journey, the attitude, and the responsibility of the people behind it.

Who is your contracting partner?
The project starter, not Startnext. Startnext is the platform operator and acts as a trustee intermediary, but is not a contractual party to your support, whether it is a purchase contract, sponsorship, donation, gift, or similar. Read moren

What can you revoke or cancel?
You can cancel your support until the project ends. As a rule, you have a statutory 14-day right of withdrawal for pre-ordered rewards, subject to exceptions such as personalized goods or digital content that has already been made available. For donations, gifts, or virtual rewards such as “Good Karma”, you do not have a statutory right of withdrawal. Read more

What happens to your money?
Your money is held in trust via our payment service provider Stripe and paid out to the project starter if the project is successful. If the funding fails, no money is collected, or the transaction is automatically reversed. Read more

What happens if nothing is delivered or the project becomes insolvent?
Your claim is against the project starter. Startnext supports communication but cannot guarantee delivery. In the event of insolvency, you can register your claim with the insolvency administrator. Read more

Where can you file a complaint or report something?
Under every project, you will find a “Report violation” link that you can use to submit a complaint. You can also contact us directly.