Germany has gone all-in on deep tech, and so have we. But most founder pathways aren’t built for the kind of tech it takes to win in AI, photonics, wireless, and sensing.
That’s why we’ve created a new model: combining startup expertise with the research power and infrastructure of Fraunhofer’s Heinrich Hertz Institute – one of Europe’s most respected institutes for applied science.
We work with technical founding teams (2+) who have:
✔️ A working MVP
✔️ Tech that aligns with Fraunhofer HHI’s research domains
✔️ Deep expertise in both tech and industry
✔️ No prior private investment
✔️ Full-time employee commitment
Not quite an accelerator or tech transfer. A model built for deep tech: serious technical support, IP access, and terms that work for founders, not just institutions.
Full-time support
We hire your core team (up to 3 people) as full-time employees at Fraunhofer HHI, with salaries covered for one year and extendable to two.
Deep tech infrastructure
Work directly inside Fraunhofer HHI with access to labs, equipment, patents, computing clusters, and scientists. Get tech you can’t find anywhere else.
Founder-friendly terms
You own your company. We take no equity or board seats – just a small virtual share (~10%) at exit. Clean cap table, VC-friendly terms.
Berlin HQ
Your team gets a private, modern workspace in the heart of Berlin – next to Tiergarten and plugged into Europe’s most vibrant tech community.
A connected community
Join a network of founders, operators, engineers, investors, and researchers building serious deep tech. We’re here to connect you with the people who can actually help.
Read all FAQs in detail here.
Do I need to be in Berlin?
Yes – one team member must be based full‑time in Berlin during the program. The rest of your team must be in Germany and able to attend demo days in Berlin four times a year.
Can I join if I have already raised funding?
Yes, as long as the funding is public or equity‑free (e.g. grants). Startups that have already raised private funding are not eligible (including convertible loans, SAFEs, etc).
Does my company have to be registered in Germany?
Yes, your company must be registered and based in Germany for the support period.
What is virtual equity, and how does it work?
Virtual equity (or virtual shares) means Fraunhofer HHI doesn’t take real shares in your company, we don’t appear on your cap table and have no voting rights. Instead, it’s a contractual agreement: if your company exits, IPOs, or pays dividends, Fraunhofer HHI receives ~10% (which is diluted in future financing rounds) of the proceeds. If not, we don’t take anything. You stay fully in control, and we only take a share if your startup succeeds.
Can I keep my IP, or does Fraunhofer HHI take it?
Your startup’s own IP remains fully yours. Upon entering the program, you will be granted a non-exclusive license to a piece of HHI’s technology. Any IP developed over the course of the program will also be licensed to you non-exclusively, forever. If your startup raises at least €1 million in external funding, this new IP you’ve developed is exclusively licensed to you. If that funding milestone isn’t reached, you are still granted a non-exclusive usage to this IP but Fraunhofer HHI also retains the rights to further license it. Any previous IP developed independently by your startup is not affected and stays under your ownership.
What financial support will I get, and how is it structured?
We provide funding in the form of paying paying for three full time salaries of your core team for 12 months. While we can’t provide direct investment, our financial support is worth up to €500,000 which includes salaries, office space, software, hardware, and all the benefits of a full-time employee of Fraunhofer HHI, i.e. holiday pay, sick days, travel and education budget.
Thanks to Fraunhofer HHI, we have a ton of cutting-edge tech in-house, we’re looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs to build startups using it:
From intelligent systems to computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics.
Compression, real-time streaming, AR/VR, immersive media, and biometric sensing.
5G, 6G, optical and wireless transmission, network optimization, and low-latency systems.
Laser systems, optical sensing, quantum communication, and photonic computing.
If you’re building something truly groundbreaking we’d still love to hear about it. But please ensure your project aligns with Fraunhofer HHI’s technologies.
We specifically love these industry verticals:
Energy, climate, healthcare, agriculture, education, urban tech, B2B services, and any sector ripe for disruption with these technologies.
Flybionic develops long-range autonomous drones, the size of a pigeon, for emergency response and infrastructure monitoring, utilizing cellular networks and BVLOS technology to deliver real-time insights and enhance operational safety.
NepTune is a gamified AI app that teaches kids to play instruments through engaging gameplay, correcting posture and notes while providing personalized lessons via subscription and school integration.
Spin Digital creates advanced software for high-resolution video and media applications, supporting 8K and VR formats. Built on a solid research foundation, they deliver high-performance products for broadcasting, streaming, and video production.
Hoopooh aids daycare teachers with a speech-based AI platform that automates tasks, tracks development, and improves communication. They’re also developing an explainable AI to enhance observations and personalize learning.
Interested in joining one of our startups?
Join our talent network. Be the first to know about co-founding and job opportunities in our startups.
(No spam, just handpicked opportunities that match your expertise and interests).
From 2019 to 2023 we supported 25 impact-focused businesses, and over 60 founders grow from an idea to launch through our Berlin Founders Fund. With the support of the non-equity funding and the daily advice from our network. They have raised over €100M to date.
[Thursday] Aug 28th, 5-8PM
Where the brightest minds from startups, research, and industry are at the forefront of innovation. 🎤Held at Fraunhofer HHI, this month features a keynote speech from Tayla Sheldrake, Motion.Lab Managing Director, and a stellar lineup of deep tech startups, just for you! Be the first to meet these startups even before they’re on the market.
Get your tickets!
Last Thursday of every month
Do you have a Deep Tech or AI startup? Pitch at one of our Deep Tech Nights in front of a live audience of hundreds of peers, experts and investors in the tech space, and hear from a jury of deep tech investors.
5 mins pitch / 5 min Q&A
Apply to Pitch
