Whether you are validating a research-driven idea, building toward your first paying customers, or preparing for your first funding round, the UnternehmerTUM Incubator gives you the framework, network, and mentorship to get there.
31.08.–9.12.2026
Munich and Garching
Hybrid
Equity-free
16.06.–19.07.2026
We give you everything you need to build — so you can build without obstacles.
Teams at the early concept stage or taking early steps toward venture creation. You arrive with a pre-validated problem space and first signs of positive market feedback – a concrete idea rooted in a technology, research result, or use case. As Sciencepreneurs, you're ready to sharpen the problem-solution fit and move toward first customers, funding readiness, and team completion.
The core of the track sits in Market & Business Strategy and Validation & Growth. You'll deepen problem validation, customer discovery, and market definition, develop a testable solution or MVP logic, and build the first structured version of your Investment Story – a coherent venture case spanning market opportunity, solution logic, differentiation, and revenue thinking.
A venture-ready opportunity with a coherent first investment story, ready to compete for a Growth Track spot.
Note: Company formation is neither required nor expected at this stage.
A strong venture needs a complete team. If a critical skill is missing, the Creation Track gives you access to our Future Entrepreneur Matching, pairing you with people ready to step in as co-founders or first team mates.
3 months, part-time
You've moved past the "does this work?" phase. Your concept is proven, your MVP is in the world, and you've got the first signals from the market (pilots, users, or early revenue). Now you're here to turn early traction into a fundable company.
You build traction, validate your revenue model, and generate concrete market signals through pilots, early users, or initial revenue. In parallel, you finalize your Investment Story into a complete, evidence-based investor case.
An investor-ready company with a complete pitch deck, investor memo, validated revenue logic, defined funding ask, and a 12–24 month milestone plan. This is the gateway to your first investor conversations, accelerators, and follow-on funding.
3 months, full-time
UnternehmerTUM Incubator is built for early-stage tech founding teams. We accept teams of two or more founders.
Team size: Minimum 2 founders
Focus: Tech-driven, early-stage startups
Stage: From first validated idea to teams with a proven venture logic
You're an individual looking to join the Incubator?
Sometimes you have the skills but the idea is missing. If you'd like to join a startup, you can enter our ecosystem through Future Entrepreneur Matching or our Matchmaking events.
Please note: We do not admit solo founders to our tracks.
No need to choose a track. Based on a structured evaluation of your team quality, venture maturity, level of validation, and investor readiness we will suggest you the best option. This selection process ensures that every team works at the right level of intensity, on the right milestones and with the right resources.
Our application process is designed not only to help us assess your startup but also to give you an opportunity to self-assess and establish a baseline of requirements. Use this timeframe to structure your ideas, iterate, and even conduct additional research and validation before submitting.
Before starting your application, review the entire form to understand what is required. This will help you gather all necessary information and documents in advance.
No Save Progress: You cannot save your progress, so make sure to gather all necessary information before starting the form.
Submission: Ensure your application is complete and submitted before the deadline.
Deadline: July 15, 2026, 11:59 pm
Check Entry Gate Dates: Entry Gates Schedule August 2026
We recommend: Draft your responses to the open-text questions in a separate document. This allows you to iterate, refine, and ensure your answers are comprehensive. Once ready, you can easily copy and paste them into the application form.
The program is conducted in English to support our international community of founders, mentors, and partners. While most of our team and network is bilingual (English/German), English proficiency is essential to fully participate.
Depending on which Track you're joining the UnternehmerTUM Incubator requires a commitment of 10-20 hours per week.
No, our program is free of charge and we do not take any equity from the startups.
After the application deadline, we start screening your application taking into account criteria like: tech implementation, market suitability, business model, team formation and product idea.
The most promising teams will be invited to take part in our Entry Gates. The Entry Gates are held on-site.
Finally, we decide which Track fits to your needs and select 35 teams to participate in the next UnternehmerTUM Incubator Batch.
No, participation in the program currently requires a minimum of two founders.
Thanks to our hybrid format, the majority of the program can be attended from anywhere. However, there are certain on-site sessions where it is necessary that at least one participant from your team is present on-site.
Yes, our part-time format allows you to participate in the program alongside your studies or your employment, however you should invest enough time in your startup to make significant progress.
After successfully completing the Creation Track you have the possibility to seamlessly continue with Growth Track.
After you’ve mastered our Growth Track you could e.g. apply for UnternehmerTUM Accelerator, where you receive further support on your way to market entry.
Please reach out to incubator@unternehmertum.de.
Important things first. All our coaches are obliged to keep all confidential information secret. This obligation extends beyond the duration of your stay with UnternehmerTUM Incubator. The purpose of the sessions with a coach is to help you navigate through our offers and support you along your journey.
