Program Overview
Application details for the Fall Batch 2023
Application Open: 20.04.2023
Application Deadline: 19.06.2023
Selection Day: 03.07.2023
Announcement of Participation: 19.07.2023Kick-Off Day: 28.08.2023
Demo Day: 28.11.2023Duration & Format: 3 months in hybrid format - combination of digital & live events (no relocation required)
Start-up Selection Process: Promising applicants will receive an invite to our Selection Day where they will have the opportunity to pitch in front of our selection committee (online pitch)
Do you have any other questions? Click here for the FAQ.
Program Details
Our 3-month Incubation Program is a holistic early-stage deep tech start-up program run to support founders in Europe. The program is designed to help you to build your prototype, get your product to market, scale and secure additional (early) funding.
Without taking any equity, our offering includes 6 pillars:
- 1-on-1 coaching with an experienced start-up coach
- Mentoring with successful founders & industry experts
- Access to content-specific Expert Hubs and broader community
- Possibility to engage in corporate partnerships
- Customized benefits such as logo and pitch deck design, professional video shoots, software engineering support, and access to co-working spaces
- Holistic structured 3-month curriculum with workshops and events, such as Demo Day, with access to broad investor network and other partners (e.g. VCs, Business Angels, legal experts, serial founders, etc.)
Apply now via our Application FORM!
Program Key Offerings
- Clear and tailored offerings with a focus on early-stage deep tech start-ups
- A final event – "A demo day" – when start-ups pitch their ideas to raise first big funding
- We do not take an equity stake in your start-up
- No relocation necessary as we can do the mentoring and workshops remotely
- We connect you directly with our leading corporate partners and mentors
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Extensive coaching, mentoring, expert workshops & networking events
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Access to Collective Incubator or digitalHUB Aachen co-working space & mechanic workshop
Target Group
Mature founding teams with an initial pre-seed investment (e.g. via EXIST scholarship or business angels) or a remaining runway for at least 6 months that seek to make the next step in getting market ready & securing additional funding.
Requirements
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Offering
Clear and innovative deep-tech-focused product/ service offering -
Motivation
Full-time commitment from founders, we expect to see at least one representative of the start-up in attendance at all program workshops and meetings. Participation will amount to approximately 3-5 hours per week -
Team
The combined team brings the necessary experience and a strong skillset to the table. One does not need to be a current student or researcher of the RWTH Aachen University to qualify for the program - all founding teams from Europe are welcome to apply. -
Business Model
We look for a convincing pitch with clear product-market-fit, feasibility, scalability and attractive investment opportunity. -
Financial Status
We look for teams with an initial pre-seed investment (e.g. EXIST, bootstrapped) or a remaining runway for at least 6 months
Program Elements
With the 4 Expert Hubs, we created topic-specific innovation ecosystems that will help you with product development & market expertise. Here, you may get access to existing labs, experts and a wide partner network:
Expert Hub Life Science (join on collӕb)
Expert Hub Resources (join on collӕb)
Expert Hub Digitized Hardware (join on collӕb)
Expert Hub digitalStartups – powered by digitalHUB Aachen (join on collӕb)
Be one of the first startups to access the co-working space of the Collective Incubator or digitalHUB Aachen. The co-working spaces provide office and conference spaces as well as a large open space for interdisciplinary exchange and events.
We will provide in-person workshop formats with top investors, founders, lawyers and corporates from the European start-up scene. We give you access to our structured, in-depth training curriculum – giving you the opportunity to learn the skills you need in online and in-person formats.
Our program offers you the opportunity to receive mentoring from successful founders & industry experts. It’s on you how to best leverage the power of our mentors. Our mentors are there for you to share their learnings from founding a company, guide you along your way and give you insights into their industries & networks. Additionally, in cooperation with German Entrepreneurship, we have access to a large international mentoring network around the world, which we are delighted to leverage as best, too.
You find our mentors here.
Personalized 1:1 coaching with one of our experienced start-up coaches – adapted to the needs of your start-up & guiding you throughout the program.
With our large EU co-founder network, we will help to connect you with start-up founders & aspiring entrepreneurs. On collӕb, the participating teams have the chance to connect with the Aachen Entrepreneurship community. Use the network to find co-founders, your next employee or connect with like-minded people in Europe.
Our program will get you prepared for the Demo Day where you will get the opportunity to pitch your business to attract customers and investors. The Incubation Program will also host numerous events designed to provide you with plenty of opportunity to network with other teams. In addition, the teams have the chance to participate in various events within the Aachen Entrepreneurship community via collӕb.
Each team within our program will have the opportunity to choose from a broad range of benefits and services for free. These offerings are specifically designed to support the start-ups in a variety of domains such as product development, preparation of investor pitch material, marketing and PR, and operations. This includes, for example, support in coding, pitch deck and logo design, photo and video shootings, cloud services (Microsoft or AWS) and legal advice.
The program curriculum is organized in sprints, each addressing different challenges our start-ups face. Below is an overview of a typical program structure with the workshops covered in each sprint.
Apply now via our Application FORM!
Do you have any other questions? Click here for the FAQ.
Our incubation program is conducted in English and welcomes international teams.
Have a look at the offers of the International Entrepreneurship Office.