The programme was initiated by the Hertie Foundation, in co-operation with the Deutsche Bank Foundation and other foundations, cities, administrative districts and individuals. Its goal is to give talented, committed students access to higher education, thus promoting the careers of young immigrants. The young people receive grants for learning aids, the opportunity to participate in advanced education courses, and internship placement.

Aside from the material funding, the programme is particularly characterised by its creative support: its goal is to discover and promote aptitude and potential, while identifying and transcending potential obstacles. Young people are given the opportunity to develop specific perspectives for their professional future, laying the foundation for a later career. Their interchange with other immigrant children is also a valuable component, making it easier for them to define and differentiate their own position.

START makes an active contribution to a successful multi-cultural society. Children from immigrant families often find it difficult to explore their full academic potential. This programme is intended to provide impetus for integration and show young immigrants that performance pays. At the same time, it sets a positive signal for Germany, which can't get by without skilled workers.

The Deutsche Bank Foundation initially supported the START programme in Berlin, and funding has since been expanded to include North Rhine-Westphalia. The Foundation's aid is more than just financial: through its close ties with Deutsche Bank, it builds bridges to the "Mentor plus" programme, in which employees act as mentors alongside scholarship holders. They advise the young people in their transition from school to profession and pass on their experience and know-how.