Bridge-to-Market Program
Assesses the viability of AI-based products or startups by focusing on market validation and technical feasibility.
For Berlins Startup Teams
With the Berliner Startup Stipendium, Science & Startups supports founders planning to implement their innovative, knowledge-driven, science- and/or technology-based business ideas in a team and develop solutions for the pressing challenges of our time within the following clusters
- Sustainability x Society – Improving the Way We Live Together
- Healthcare x Prevention – Responding to Today’s Health Challenges
- Technologies x Resources – Transforming Tech for a Green Tomorrow
To foster exchange and strengthen the innovative power of our startups in these clusters, we bundle access to specific expertise, know-how, technology supported by enriching event formats and a strong alumni network.
- You have an idea that’s a fit?
- Your research aligns with one of the clusters ́ focus areas?
- Your idea makes the world a better place when turned into a product or service?
Science & Startups will help you along your journey!
The Accelerator for AI Startups
The K.I.E.Z. Accelerator has been designed to support science-based AI startups that have completed their pre-seed phase. The company must already be incorporated and in the process towards market launch, production, and sales set-up.
Starting from providing you office space at the Merantix AI Campus Berlin, we are also offering CEO mentoring, cloud credits, expert workshops, connections, and intros to investors. But that’s not all. We focus on your individual growth. If you need help with your marketing, sales, finance or team management, we are there to support. There is almost nothing that we cannot do.
Female Founder Support
With EXIST-Women by Science & Startups, a total of 30 women* interested in or inclined towards founding businesses have the opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with business creation and self-employment. The program is aimed at graduates, scientists, students, and women* with professional qualifications who want to found businesses either solo or in teams.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) has launched this new funding program to increase the proportion of female founders. The EXIST Women pilot project aims to support women* in developing business ideas to achieve greater diversity in startups and increase the quota of female founders.
This is a 10-month mentoring program that includes coaching, mentoring, qualification, and networking, along with individual support from mentors, a peer-learning program and material resources worth €2,000 per person, and a three-month scholarship of €2,500 for graduates (plus €150 for each child).
The program is divided into 3 phases:
- Training and workshops, mentor matching, scholarship
- Business modelling, mentoring, mindset training
- Possible follow-up financing, individual coaching, mentoring
Additionally: Accompanying events and activities, workspace in our incubators, a peer-learning program with other participants, as well as individual coaching and intensive startup consulting in the incubator.
The program starts on 03/01/2025 and runs until 11/30/2025. Scholarship payments are made for 3 months, and the material resources allowance is paid as a one-time payment. Compliance with the funding conditions is required (see below).
This is a project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to significantly increase the current quota of female founders.
Applications are CURRENTLY possible until 01/31/2025
Application process:
- 20-minute consultation with one of our startup consultants. Book an appointment!
- Receipt of application form from startup consultant and submission by 01/31/2025 at the latest
- 5-10 minute pitch and Q&A (02/10-12/2025)
- Acceptance into the scholarship program (02/14/2025)
Conditions for receiving a scholarship are:
- You have no income or work maximum 20 hours/week: This condition only applies to receiving the three-month scholarship.
- Simultaneous funding through a scholarship with the startup grant from the employment agency is not possible.
- You have not previously completed an EXIST Startup Scholarship, Berlin Startup Scholarship, or similar startup funding programs.
- You have not founded a company at the time of application.
The scholarship amount depends on your qualification level and is distributed as follows:
- Students (minimum bachelor's degree or 50% of studies completed): €1,000
- Women* with completed vocational training: €2,000
- Graduates with university degree: €2,500
- Women* with doctorate: €3,000
Please also check all other funding conditions on the funding provider's website:
We look forward to your application!
Starting a business from science
Promotion of research-based high-tech startups
EXIST Transfer of Research is a funding program initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The program aims to support outstanding research-oriented startup projects that have demonstrated a proof of principle (e.g., a functional laboratory demonstrator) and require further high-risk and cost-intensive development to bring their innovations to market readiness.
Program Objectives
- Technology Transfer: Facilitate the transformation of innovative research results into commercially viable products and services.
- Startup Support: Provide comprehensive assistance to research teams in establishing successful businesses based on their scientific findings.
- Economic Growth: Foster innovation and entrepreneurship to contribute to economic development and competitiveness in Germany.
Program Structure
EXIST Transfer of Research is structured into two sequential funding phases:
Phase I: Technical and Business Development
- Objective: Advance research results with startup potential by developing prototypes and preparing for business formation.
- Duration: Up to 36 months.
- Funding:
- Non-repayable grants covering personnel expenses for up to 4 full-time positions.
- Up to €250,000 for material resources, including equipment, consumables, and external services.
- Activities:
- Develop market-ready prototypes or demonstrators.
- Address technical questions related to product and process implementation.
- Formulate a comprehensive business plan.
- Prepare for company formation, including market analysis and strategy development.
Phase II: Business Launch and Market Entry
- Objective: Continue development work, initiate business operations, and prepare for external financing.
- Duration: Up to 18 months.
- Funding:
- Non-repayable grants covering project-related costs.
- Up to €180,000 for project expenses, but at most 75% of the project-specific costs.
- Activities:
- Finalize product development and refine technology.
- Start marketing and sales activities.
- Secure external funding from investors or financial institutions.
- Expand business operations and enter the market.
Criteria for eligibility for funding:
- Applicants: research teams from German universities and research institutions who wish to establish a startup.
- Prerequisites:
- Proof of the fundamental viability of the project.
- The development work is high-risk and cost-intensive.
- Commitment to commercialize the research results by founding a startup.
Application process with the support of Science & Startups:
- Preparation of a detailed project proposal outlining the technological innovation, development plan and business strategy.
- Applications for funding phase I are submitted by one of Berlin's leading universities
Application Deadlines and Start Dates
- Phase I Applications:
- Deadlines: March 31, August 31, and November 30 each year.
- Earliest Start Date: Approximately 6 months after application submission.
- Phase II Applications:
- Should be submitted 6 months before the end of Phase I or within 6 months after its completion.
Supporting high-potential life sciences startups from research to market
GO-Bio Next is a funding initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to support promising, research-oriented start-up projects in the field of life sciences. The programme is aimed at high-risk, cost-intensive projects with proven “proof of principle” and high commercialization potential, which are brought to market maturity through structured funding.
Program Objectives
- Technology Transfer: Enable the development of cutting-edge research in the life sciences into marketable products and services.
- Startup Support: Provide robust support to research teams aiming to launch sustainable businesses based on scientific innovation.
- Economic Growth: Promote scientific breakthroughs that contribute to economic growth, innovation, and Germany's global competitiveness.
Program Structure
GO-Bio Next is structured into two sequential funding phases:
Phase I: Technical and Business Development
- Objective: Advance research results with startup potential by developing prototypes and preparing for business formation.
- Duration: More than 30 months.
- Funding:
- Non-repayable grants covering personnel expenses for more than 4 full-time positions.
- Up to €2.500,000 for material resources, including equipment, consumables, and external services.
- Activities:
- Develop functional prototypes or demonstrators.
- Address technical and regulatory requirements for commercialization.
- Create a comprehensive business plan and prepare for company formation.
Phase II: Business Launch and Market Entry
- Objective: Support further development, business operations, and market entry.
- Duration: Up to 36 months.
- Funding:
- Non-repayable grants covering project-related costs.
- Private co-financing is required to secure this phase of funding.
- Activities:
- Finalize product development and refine technology.
- Start marketing and sales activities.
- Secure external funding from investors or financial institutions.
- Expand business operations and enter the market.
Criteria for eligibility for funding:
- Applicants: research teams from German universities and research institutions who wish to establish a startup.
- Prerequisites:
- Proof of the fundamental viability of the project.
- The project addresses a major need in life sciences and requires public funding due to high risk and technological immaturity.
- Commitment to commercialize the research results by founding a startup.
Application process with the support of Science & Startups:
- Preparation of a detailed project proposal outlining the technological innovation, development plan and business strategy.
- Applications for funding phase I are submitted by one of Berlin's leading universities
Application Deadlines and Start Dates
- Application Deadlines: March 15 and September 15.
- Earliest Start Date: 10 months after application.
Validation of AI-based ideas
FAQ regarding
Here you'll find frequently asked questions regarding the program.
Bridge-to-Market Program
Bridge-to-Market (B2M) is a six-months pre-incubation funding program that focuses primarily on product and market validation and on evaluating the technical feasibility of AI models and data.
The Pre-Incubator program Bridge-to-Market aims to develop the entrepreneurial and technical skills of teams who simply have an idea to start an artificial intelligence company. No specific business plan/model or MVP is required to apply for Bridge-to-Market. During the six-month pre-incubation phase, you will also receive financial support to develop your project.
The incubator programs are offered by Science & Startups. Usually, teams applying for an incubator program have a clear idea of their business model and how they want to develop their product. The aim of such an incubation program is to incorporate the startup after the end of the program.
K.I.E.Z. also offers the opportunity to apply to the K.I.E.Z. Accelerator program twice a year. The program takes six months and supports young AI companies during the scaling of their business. The Accelerator offers a variety of services to startups. The offer is divided into two main categories from which startups can choose specific offers: Growth Hacks and Growth Foundation. At the end of the Accelerator program, there is a demo day where venture capitalists and other partners can watch the startups' pitches.
Yes.
No, this is not necessary. However, preference will be given to projects where there is a clear transfer from research to the market.
This funding program addresses anyone with (or close to) an academic degree who has an idea to develop an artificial intelligence-related product or business. However, being a pre-incubation program, Bridge-to-Market is ideal for those who wish to further develop their idea in terms of market and/or technology validation (e.g. possible Bridge-to-Market activities include conducting market research, identifying the initial target group, obtaining proof of concept).
Six months.
No, this is not foreseen.
Yes, participation in the program is at least part-time and attendance to a minimum number of workshops is mandatory.
Yes.
Unfortunately, not.
Participants will receive administrative and financial support from K.I.E.Z. as well as the use of facilities and office space by one of the incubation centers. It is possible to apply for up to 10,000 EUR of material resources and services, that will be made available during the program following funding regulations by K.I.E.Z. Founders will also receive a monthly scholarship. The amount of the respective scholarships depends on experience and educational level:
- PhD students & graduates with three or more years of professional experience receive 3,000 euros gross per month
- Graduates with less than three years of professional experience receive 2,500 euros gross per month
- Technical employees receive 2,000 euros gross per month
- Students can apply for 1,000 euros gross per month
In addition, comparable to EXIST, child bonus supplements of up to 150 EUR per month and child are granted.
The scholarship is not an employment contract, therefore income tax, social security contributions, etc. must be deducted from the scholarship. This must be done by the founders. It is recommended to consult with a tax advisor as early as possible.
Yes. However, it is recommended to apply in the last semester of your degree program, also with regard to the mandatory participation in Bridge-to-Market (at least 50 % attendance required).
This can be accepted in exceptional cases. It would be advisable to have at least one university graduate in the team.
Yes, this is possible on a part-time basis under specific conditions and upon discussion with the K.I.E.Z. team.
No, this is not possible.
Up to three people can be funded by the program.
Bridge-to-Market can also fund one-person projects
Yes, this is possible. Whilst a maximum of three team members are supported by Bridge-to-Market financially, this does not limit the number of founders.
The official language is German, hence it is useful to have an intermediate knowledge of German, but most of the program can also be conducted in English language.
No, you can apply for Bridge-to-Market throughout the year. However, there are only three times of the year when we accept teams in the program.
This pre-funding program aims to help with the validation of ideas in terms of market and technology. If the evaluation of the business idea is positive, further support by the teams of the incubators is possible. This encompasses help with the application for further funding such as EXIST startup grant.
No, Bridge-to-Market is for very early-stage projects only, which are well before registration of a business.
It usually takes about 3-4 weeks (except in the case of holidays, when it might be longer)
Yes, this is possible, up to 3 team members in total.
Usually about 1 to 2 months from receipt of the procurement plan.
No.