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
Join the Science & Startups network and connect with founders, researchers and investors across Berlin's university startup ecosystem through regular digital and in-person events.
Individual Events
Design tailored event formats with us, from corporate innovation days to pitch sessions with Berlin-based deep tech and life science startups.
Partnership and Research
We identify research topics that match your business needs and connect you with partner universities, startups and experienced entrepreneurs from our network.
Marketing Opportunities
Increase your visibility in Berlin's startup and innovation scene through joint marketing activities, co-branded content and event partnerships.
Exclusive Event Access
Get privileged access to exclusive Science & Startups events, gaining direct insights into Berlin's university research and startup ecosystem.
Personal Key Account
Get a dedicated account manager at Science & Startups for all business-related questions, from partnership requests to event planning.
Access to Talents
Connect with founders, alumni, researchers and students from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin to strengthen your team or business.
Training & Upskilling
Access tailored training in marketing, business development and operations, designed to help your team build the skills needed to grow.
Access to Incubation
Offer your community a best-in-class incubation process, including mentoring, networking and access to funding and resources, developed with Berlin's university startup ecosystem.
Employee Training
Advanced training and development opportunities for your employees through trend-specific programs on entrepreneurship, innovation and startup methods.
Access to Premises
Access to labs, prototyping facilities and office spaces nearby Berlin's leading research universities.
Networking and Cooperation Opportunities
Matchmaking with science-based startups, industry partners, alumni and experts from Berlin's university startup ecosystem.
Access to science-based startups
Build partnerships with innovative, science-based startups from Berlin's university ecosystem.
Incorporating the latest Scientific Advances
Stay at the forefront of research and development by leveraging the latest scientific advances and intellectual property from Berlin's universities.
Enhancing Innovation Capacity
Strengthen your innovation capacity by generating new business concepts and fostering entrepreneurship within your organization.
Employee Secondments & Exchange
Enable your employees to work directly with science-based startups through secondments, exchange programs or joint projects.
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!
Free, equity-free advice, tailored to your startup. Book your appointment today.
Reach out via info@science-startups.berlin or
schedule your appointment right away!