Information in English

Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (the German Publishers and Booksellers Association) represents the interests of Germany's book industry in the political and public spheres. It was founded in Leipzig in 1825 and currently has roughly 4,500 members, which include booksellers, publishers, wholesalers and other media companies. As both a trade association and a cultural organisation, the Börsenverein works to promote books and reading whilst also fostering fair copyright laws and the preservation of Germany's policy of fixed book prices. It also seeks to promote cultural diversity and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

More and more business is done regardless of borders. Thus, Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels offers a form of membership for companies from outside Germany. As an international member, many benefits are available such as networking with your German colleagues, getting free advice on legal issues specific to the industry or the right to participate at the General Assembly. International members must fulfil specific criteria, for example the sector they operate in. A full list of the benefits and conditions as well as further information can be found here. For questions you can contact mitgliederserviceNO SPAM SPAN!@boev.de. 

Are you a startup that doesn’t fit the criteria for the international membership, but you want to become part of the Börsenverein? Then check out the CONTENTshift startup club. It aims to assist young and innovative companies that are developing business ideas relating to the book industry. We want to enable the access of new and exciting players to the book industry and connect experienced industry members with startups. Ways to accomplish this goal can range from events and targeted networking activities to knowledge transfer and strategic opportunities to raise visibility within the industry. You can find out more about the benefits on the CONTENTshift Website. If you have further questions, you can get in touch via startupNO SPAM SPAN!@boev.de.

CONTENTshift, as the Börsenverein’s department for innovation, also organises the CONTENTshift accelerator once a year. The accelerator is an international funding programme geared towards startups active in the content industry. Our goal is to make use of the synergies between startups and established companies by bringing them together and firmly anchoring innovation in the industry. After the application period, the jury, consisting of experienced players in the German book industry, will select ten startups that will proceed to the pitch-event. At the event, the five finalists will be chosen. They will receive mentoring sessions with the jury as well as coaching sessions with the experts Prof. Dr. Okke Schlüter and Prof. Dr. Harald Henzler to develop their business models. Throughout the programme, startups will also benefit from the network they build, which can even lead to cooperation with the jury members. For more information on the CONTENTshift accelerator you can check out their website or contact them at contentshiftNO SPAM SPAN!@boev.de.