We turn science into startups
At Science & Startups, we help research-driven ideas leave the lab and become startups. As the joint startup service of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, in partnership with Charité, we connect founders with the funding, network, and workspace they need, free and equity-free.
Ranked among Europe's Top 12 startup hubs.
Explore our programs & talk to our startup consultants. No equity, no cost.
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Talk to your personal Advisor!
Free, equity-free advice, tailored to your startup. Book your appointment today.
First class Services for
Founders & Talents
Have a look at our services to support startup founders and talents.
100 % Free & Equity-Free Startup Support
Since we are publicly funded our startup consulting is free of charge and equity-free, a key advantage for early-stage founders in Berlin.
Access to Business Angels & VCs
When you're ready for private funding, we connect you with our network of Business Angels and Venture Capital firms active in the Berlin startup scene.
Access to Labs, Research Facilities & Coworking Spaces
Get access to the infrastructure of Berlin's top universities, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, including state-of-the-art labs, research facilities and coworking spaces. Ideal for deep tech and life science startups.
Berlin Startup Community & Network
Join a growing community of science-based founders in Berlin. Our teams are embedded in the ecosystem to help you learn, share and grow together.
Find a Co-Founder in Berlin
Looking for a co-founder, technical lead or first hires? Our co-founder matching platform connects you with talents from Berlin's university ecosystem.
Startup Academy: : Training for Founders
Build your startup skills in market strategy, commercial law, GDPR compliance, pricing and deal-making. Free workshops and training for science-based founders.
Startup funding & public grants
We help founding teams access startup funding and public grants in Germany, including exist Gründungsstipendium & Forschungstransfer, Berliner Startup Stipendium and other equity-free funding programs.
Startup Guidance & Mentoring in Berlin
Ranked among Europe's Top 12 startup hubs, Berlin offers a strong environment for founders. We provide professional, hands-on guidance through every step of starting your business.
Community Membership
Be part of the Science & Startups Community through digital and analog networking within a committed community.
Individual Events
Opportunity to design individual event formats (e.g. corporate formats).
Partnership and Research
Clarification of needs regarding possible research topics and establishment of contacts with partner universities, startups, and established entrepreneurs from the network.
Marketing Opportunities
Increasing presence and reach through joint marketing activities.
Exclusive Event Access
Privileged access to exclusive events to gain valuable knowledge, insights, and networking opportunities.
Personal Key Account
Get a personal account manager where you can address business related matters.
Access to Talents
Get in touch with the entrepreneurial community, alumni, researchers, and other university talent to leapfrog your own activities.
Qualification
To develop the perfect skill set you receive tailored trainings in relevant subjects like marketing, business development, operations, and more.
Access to Incubation
A best-in-class incubation process provides streamlined startup support including mentoring, networking as well as access to funding and resources.
Employee Training
Advanced development opportunities for employees through trend-specific training programs.
Access to Premises
Access to premises such as laboratories, prototyping facilities, and offices.
Networking and Cooperation Opportunities
Matchmaking based on shared interests with science-based startups, industry partners, alumni, and experts.
Access to science-based startups
Promoting cooperation/partnerships with innovative startups from the university environment.
Incorporating the latest Scientific Advances
Incorporating the latest scientific advances and technologies, such as leveraging the capabilities of IPs, to stay at the forefront of innovation in research and development practices.
Enhancing Innovation Capacity
Enhancing innovation capacity to encourage entrepreneurship in generating fresh business concepts and models, fostering the creation of novel ventures and approaches for progressive economic growth.
Networking and Collaboration
Creating opportunities for networking and collaboration based on interests: connecting with science-based startups, industry partners, alumni, and experts through matching processes.
Startup Programs for Founders
in Berlin
No matter if you're ideating, building a prototype or validating your market fit, we have the right startup program for you.
Every month, the five best ideas each win 100€. At the end of the year, our Top 5 receive an additional 1,000€ at the Brilliant 1000 ceremony.
No pitch decks, no jargon, just your idea in your own words. Submit now on matchem.science-startups.berlin.
100 to 100
ESA-BIC is one of Europe's most successful startup incubation networks. Founding teams get access to the full Science & Startups network: incubation infrastructure, investors, industry partners, and the Berlin startup ecosystem.
Science & Startups
Out of more than 180 evaluated startup hubs across Europe, we achieved: Top 12 in Europe, Rank 6 in Track Record, Top 2 University Startup HUB in Germany and Rank 1 in Berlin.
Science & Startups
Science & Startups Launchpads
Specialized support for every scientific field. Each Launchpad connects you with the right infrastructure, expert mentors and network for your specific industry, from AI to communication to sustainability.
AI
AI NATION
At AI NATION (formelrly K.I.E.Z.), we are dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence with a focus on entrepreneurship. Our mission is to empower AI startups by providing tailored support that fosters rapid and sustainable growth, enabling them to thrive in both European and global markets.
- Identifying startup potential in AI research
- Providing targeted support during the incubation phase
- Offering an AI accelerator program
Quantum
Leap Quantum Technology Hub
Berlin's first Coworking and Event space for quantum technology innovators. At Leap, we aim to connect startups, researchers, corporates, investors, and policy makers to support the growing ecosystem in the region and to promote quantum science in society.
- Dedicated workspace for startups
- Event- and workshop space in Berlin Adlershof
- Incubation/Acceleration programme BERLIN QUANTUM Pioneer
Communications
6G / xG-Incubator
At xG-Incubator we help innovative startups and founding teams in the realm of next-generation communication technologies succeed by providing access to funding, cutting-edge labs, technical, and business expertise. By closely collaborating with the 6G-RIC, we transform groundbreaking ideas into market-ready solutions and empower the future of wireless networks.
- Connect entrepreneurs with experts, industry mentors, and coaches
- Business model development, financial planning
- Create compelling pitch decks for investors and get access to funding
GreenChem
Ecosystem for Green Chemistry
The greenCHEM mission is to create an ecosystem of innovation, which unfolds sustainability impact that is rooted in green chemistry. Characterized by an open culture and equipped with necessary technical infrastructure, we foster technology transfer as well as the realization of creative, forward-thinking ideas.
- Providing chemistry specific infrastructure and analytics for transfer
- Bringing together startups, industry, and researchers
- Alumni network and mentoring for green chemistry startups
Science & Startups Academy
Free workshops for founders in Berlin covering market strategy, commercial law, pricing, GDPR compliance and more, designed to build the skills you need to grow your startup.
First Phase
Validation
(Month 1-4 of incubation)
From refining your business model, developing a market strategy to team dynamics.
Second Phase
Investor Readiness
(Month 5-6 of incubation)
Legal aspects, pitch training and preparation to approach investors.
Third Phase
Access to Business / Finance
(Month 7-12 of incubation)
From commercial law, GDPR compliance to pricing strategies and the craft of deal closing.
Facts & figures
Corporations
founded since 2010
Professional talent in ecosystem
Total funding amount
Enterprise Value generated
Founding partners for an
impactful startup journey
Science & Startups is the joint startup service of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, in partnership with Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Together, we support science-based founders across Berlin's leading research institutions.
Science & Startups is the joint startup service of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, in partnership with Charité. It supports science-based founders in Berlin across a wide range of fields, including:
- Sustainable business, circular economy, and new work
- Smart city and digital solutions
- Chemistry, biotechnology and smart production
- Medicine, medical technology and healthcare management
- Data protection and patient rights
Founders benefit from interdisciplinary support that combines scientific expertise with practical, market-ready solutions, backed by the resources of Berlin's leading research universities.
For Businesses & Investors
We support the development of new products, technologies and services through grants, R&D partnerships and access to Berlin's deep tech and life science startups.
For Partners & Institutions
If you're building your own startup program or innovation initiative, we share our expertise in founder support, entrepreneurship training, and ecosystem building.
Get in touch to learn how we can support your institution.
Contact us
Talk to your personal advisor!
Our team would love to support your startup journey.
Reach out via info@science-startups.berlin or
schedule your appointment right away!