You have an idea that needs to become reality? Your research could make this world a better place if turned into a product or service? Science & Startups and our network partners TU, HU, FU and Charité will help you along your journey!

Our startup support units help teams come together and startup their idea. They advise about funding and networking opportunities and assist you in applying for the Berliner Startup Stipendium scholarship. Science & Startups and our network partners Startupservice der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Profund Innovation – Freie Universität Berlin, das Centre for Entrepreneurship – Technische Universität Berlin & die Charité – Universitätsmedizin offer you a unique support network, as well as networks for business partners and the financing world. Their years of experience in supporting science-based startups and our extensive network into Berlin’s science world help you to revolutionize the enery market.

We offer you joint events to connect with established companies in your field, with other startups to share your experiences and to potential co-founders and employees. We cooperate not only with each other, but grant you access to one of the biggest startup ecosystems in Europe – Berlin’s universities, colleges, the senate, non-university research institutions and many more.

The funding program

• What: Technology and/or science-based ideas that have not yet been founded
• Who: Teams consisting of 2-4 members
• How much: 2,000 euros per person per month
• How long: Sustainable City 6-12 months, Health 12-15 months, depending on subject, progress, and individual needs

What the Science & Startups network offers you on top of that

• Incubation at one of the startup support units at FU, HU, TU, or Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Access to the cutting-edge research of the universities
• Access to workshops, master classes, match-making events and networking platforms at all four institutions
• Intensive individual coaching and training based on your needs
• Mentoring provided by leaders in science and business
• Contact to potential clients and investors
• On-campus coworking space
• Access to laboratories and technical equipment as needed

Are you a researcher, student, alumni, PhD candidate or post-doc from the health sector? You have an idea, maybe already the idea for a product or service in the fields of diagnostics, therapy, nursing, rehabilitation, health care, and quality of life in case of illness and injury? Apply to receive funding and coaching to startup your solution.

Smart food and agriculture, green energy, new forms of mobility, sustaining our mental health, developing new ideas for the workplace, shaping a circular economy, developing new materials for new technology, making digitalization, media literacy and cyber security a priority – these subjects and so many more will be needed in the near future for sustainable, smart, digital cities and the people inhabitating them. This is exactly where your research is headed? Then apply for a Berliner Startup Stipendium!

Infos in German (Download)

Please note that requirements may vary slightly for each startup service, team and deep dive batch – individual requirements will be made transparent in the initial advising session.

The idea, product or service for your startup must be:

• Tech-based/science-based innovative product or service
  • Health: medical engineering, diagnostics, therapy, nursing, rehabilitation, health care, software, quality of life, etc.
  • Sustainable City: Energy, Mobility, (mental) Health, New Work, Circular Economy, Materials, E-Learning, Smart Food & Agriculture, Green FinTech, etc.
• Clearly innovative or represent an improvement on competitor projects and/or the status quo (for example, in terms of customer benefits or sustainable unique features)

Requirements for teams and team members:

• Graduates with specialist technical knowledge and who are resident in Berlin (resident address is a non-negiotiable requirements)
• Teams have to consist of two to four members
• Startup team members must demonstrate commitment to the realization of their idea (at least 24 hours per week) and be present at the work station assigned to them
• Teams may not have already submitted their idea to another university
• Parallel funding from other programs, whether currently or in the past, is not possible (EXIST business startup grants or in combination with startup grants provided by employment agencies)
• The project may not already be functioning as a business and may not be commercially active
• A professional recommendation, such as from an industry expert or academic mentor, is required for application.

Please note that while the application process is essentially identical at all universities, the timing may vary slightly.

1. Initial advising session
   Once the basic funding conditions are fulfilled, an initial discussion or orientation discussion will then be held at the university where the application is to be submitted. Please arrange an appointment with the specified contact person ahead of the deadline.
2. Written application
   You will be provided with the application papers once you have successfully completed the initial discussion. Once preselection has been completed, you will either be invited to present your project to our jury or receive a letter informing you that your application has not been successful.
3. Jury pitch
   You and your team will then pitch your project to our jury. The jury consists of representatives of the universities as well as experts from the Berlin and national startup scenes. The jury decides on the suitability of your project for funding.
4. Funding of successful teams
   Yay, off we go!
5. Interim presentation
   Teams regularly will be invited to make an interim presentation. A jury will feedback on the basis of the progress made and additional funding requirements.

Please contact the respective startup support units to start your journey with Science & Startups.

Profund Innovation – Freie Universität Berlin

Humboldt Startupservice – Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Centre for Entrepreneurship – Technische Universität Berlin

BIH Innovations – Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin