Frankfurt once again demonstrated what defines the city: openness, diversity, and the conviction that international entrepreneurship is a key driver of its future.
On 28 April 2026, Kompass Frankfurt, in cooperation with the Consulate General of India in Frankfurt, welcomed members of the Indian diaspora, founders, professionals, and ecosystem partners to an inspiring evening at the Frankfurt Welcome & Information Center, dedicated to Doing Business in Germany.
The atmosphere reflected a shared understanding that Frankfurt is more than a global financial hub — it is a city where international biographies, inclusion, entrepreneurial ambition, and strong municipal support structures come together.
Frankfurt as a City of Opportunity:
The event opened with remarks by Dr. Nargess Eskandari‑Grünberg, Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main and Head of the Department for Diversity, Anti‑Discrimination, and Social Cohesion. Drawing on both institutional responsibility and lived experience, she highlighted Frankfurt as a city shaped by migration and participation, emphasizing diversity as a real economic and societal strength. For international entrepreneurs, Frankfurt offers not only opportunity, but a municipality actively committed to enabling participation and success.
Building on this perspective, Ellen Bommersheim, Managing Director of Kompass Frankfurt, connected these values to practice — highlighting the close cooperation between Kompass and the Amt für multikulturelle Angelegenheiten (AMKA). She emphasized the role of the Frankfurt Welcome & Information Center as a key entry point for international founders, offering orientation, counseling for life and arrival in Frankfurt, information events, cultural offerings, and multilingual online resources.
From Arrival to Market Entry:
In their presentation, Ellen Bommersheim and Mustafa Tahir explored what Doing Business in Germany means in practice. They addressed common challenges such as bureaucracy, legal uncertainty, financing, language barriers, and differing business cultures, while showing how Kompass responds with a connected and inclusive support ecosystem accompanying founders from first orientation to market entry and beyond.
Ellen Bommersheim emphasized: “Inclusive entrepreneurship is not about information overload and complexity; it is about guidance. Kompass exists to turn complex systems into navigable pathways — so ideas can turn into sustainable businesses.”
Another key message was the importance of belonging as an economic factor. Entrepreneurship thrives where founders feel belonged, embedded, and connected — a principle reflected in the close cooperation between Kompass, AMKA, welcome structures, financing instruments, and community spaces.
Real Experiences, Practical Insights
The panel discussion added personal perspectives and concrete insights. Deepika Khatri, Mohini Kale, Rohan Kapoor, Arun Damodaran, and Dr. Dirk Otto shared their experiences of building entrepreneurial paths in Germany. Moderated by Devender R. Maggo, the discussion ranged from mindset shifts and legal structures to trust‑building in the German market and aligning Indian entrepreneurial flexibility with German process clarity.
What became clear was the value of early guidance and strong institutions. Many of the challenges discussed are not unique — but knowing where to start, who to ask, and which steps matter most can make all the difference. The role of institutions like Kompass Frankfurt, as well as the Indian Consulate in Frankfurt, was repeatedly highlighted as crucial in reducing barriers and opening doors within the Indo German ecosystem.
The panel concluded with remarks by Ms. Shuchita Kishore, Consul General of India in Frankfurt, who reaffirmed Frankfurt’s strategic importance for Indian entrepreneurs looking toward Europe and the Consulate’s commitment to strengthening Indo‑German economic ties.
Networking & Community Exchange
The evening closed with an energetic networking session over catering, providing space for exchange, connections, and next steps — turning information into relationships and inspiration into action.
With Doing Business in Germany, Kompass Frankfurt, AMKA, and the Frankfurt Welcome & Information Center once again demonstrated how municipal commitment, international collaboration, and community‑centric support create welcoming pathways for diverse entrepreneurial journeys.
