Explore a startup idea in a supportive environment!

Applications are now open!
Apply now!
April 2026 – July 2026
Hamburg
6 ECTS

A study program from:

About
the Program

Designed to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, this intensive program spans October 2025 to January 2026, offering hands-on challenges, skill-building workshops, and community-driven learning. All sessions are conducted in English. 6 ECTS credits are available in collaboration with your university.

Program Structure

Weekly Sessions: Knowledge-sharing, training, and motivation.
Guided Mentoring: Dive deep into topics with professors and founders-
Pitch Events: Showcase your project to a panel of experts.

Mentors & Coaches

Discover the industry leaders, innovators, and experts who will be sharing their insights and experiences in the startup ecosystem
High-Tech Gründerfonds

Johannes Weber

Hanse Ventures

Sebastian Schulz

Impossible Founders

Svenja Teichmann

Buildlinx

Fabian Weindell

Hamburg Invest

Ricarda Rattay

Next Commerce Accelerator

Thorsten Wittmuetz

Exponential Innovation Institute

Uve Samuels

ECDB

Nono Weinzierl

Pitch Perfect Academy

Lars Hartenstein

Fainin

Maximillian Lehmann

Indicium Technologies

Nabil El Berr

Borderstep Institute

Thomas Neumann

Why Join?

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

Work with students from diverse fields.

Real-World Challenges

Solve problems with practical applications.

Expert Mentorship:

Gain insights from seasoned entrepreneurs and coaches.

Networking Opportunities:

Build connections with industry leaders and peers.

What You Will Learn

Entrepreneurial Mindset:

Develop a proactive approach to innovation

Business Modeling:

Learn to create and validate business models.

Prototyping:

Build and test your ideas.

Pitching:

Master the art of presenting your venture.

Networking:

Connect with like-minded peers and industry experts.

Team:

Learn how to identify and secure the ideal co-founder.

Your Schedule

A deep-dive into your startup journey - from A to Z
Team-Building

Team Matchmaking

Pre-launch guided matchmaking to build your dream teams
27 & 29 Oct 20255pm – 8pm
Validating

Problem Validation

Validate your startup idea under the guidance of experienced founders
8 Nov 20259am – 6pm
Validating

Solution Market Fit

Learn how to tailor solutions to key market concerns
12 Nov 20255pm – 8pm
Validating

Business Modelling

Discover strategies for assessing monetisation channels
19 Nov 20255pm – 8pm
Building

Prototyping Weekend

Prototype, test and iterate your idea at the center of Hamburg's scientific ecosystem
28 & 29 Nov 20254pm – 8pm & 9am – 6pm
Building

Sustainability in Startups

Discover how to include ESG in your journey and achieve a positive impact
17 Dec 20255pm – 8pm
Pitching

Fundraising & Christmas Party

Learn about startup funding options and toast into the holiday season with us
19 Dec 20255pm – 10pm
Pitching

Pitch training

Learn how to precisely and professionally convey ideas in the form of pitches
7 Jan 20265pm – 9pm
Pitching

Investor Pitch Night

Pitch your idea to a selection of startup investors and receive tailored feedback
14 Jan 20265pm – 8pm
Pitching

Startup Legal Basics

Dive into the legal details of founding a startup in Germany
21 Jan 20265pm – 8pm
Showcasing

Rehearsal

Teams selected to pitch step onto the big stage for a practice round
22 Jan 20265pm – 8pm
Showcasing

Demo Day

Selected startup pitches on the big stage in front of the biggest players in the Hamburg startup ecosystem
27 Jan 20265.30pm – 9pm

Academic Partners

Our program is supported by a team of experienced entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and academic leaders who will guide you every step of the way.
Prof. Dr. Jutta Abulawi
HAW Hamburg
Prof. Dr. Jan-Paul Lüdtke
FH Wedel
Prof. Dr. Michel Clement
Uni Hamburg
Prof. Dr. Paul Drews
Leuphana
Prof. Dr. Christian Lüthje
TUHH
Prof. Dr. Jana Timm
Uni Hamburg
Prof. Dr. Dennis Proppe
FH Wedel

A programme supported by:

Train4Impact

Success Stories

First-hand experiences from graduates of the recently completed first round of the Future Founder Programme
"Six months ago, I was in the audience, watching others pitch and wondering how I could ever get there. I had an idea but no clear direction or confidence. Future Founder helped me turn uncertainty into clarity, build a strong network, and gain the confidence to take my idea to the next level. Pitching on stage and winning the Jury Award was a moment I’ll never forget. If you’re ready to stop wondering and start building, scroll back up and join — your journey begins here!"
Abhinna Shah, MSc Industrial Engineering (Winner Round 2)
"Joining the Future Founder Program was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I learnt so much from mentors and experts, met passionate peers, and gained the confidence to turn our startup idea into action. The supportive atmosphere and access to real resources helped me dream big and start building. I’m truly grateful for this experience! Our team have now graduated from this program, and thriving happily with a strong network built and great resources from the program. For all of you who have great ideas and want to make them come true, this is the right place to start!"
Chun Tsing Fung, BSc. Mechatronics (Alumnus Round 2)
"The Future Founder program has been instrumental in advancing my startup and my technology. The network, hands-on experience, and funding were incredibly valuable. The pitch training and investor preparation were especially helpful—they enabled me to present my idea convincingly. I am glad I joined the program and ready to make my startup a success”
Victor Carneiro, MSc @ TUHH (Winner Round 1)
"As a medical doctor, the startup world felt distant to me. But the Future Founder program provided the structure, mentorship, and network to develop an idea, find the right co-founder, and turn it into a real startup. The hands-on approach, along with support from investors and experts, made all the difference. I left the program with initial funding from EXIST Women, a strong network, and a clear path forward—plus, I made amazing new friends along the way.”
Julia Rocha, PhD @ Uniklinikum Eppendorf (Alumnus Round 1)
"My co-founder and I entered the Future Founder program with an idea and what we thought was a solid plan. But as an engineer, I tend to view the world through a solution-focused lens. The program challenged us to think differently, to dig deeper into the problem we were actually trying to solve. Through exceptional mentoring, unwavering support, and access to an incredible network, Future Founder helped us channel our passion for entrepreneurship into a focused, productive workflow. It transformed us as founders and sharpened our focus on what truly matters."
Torben Michaelis, Msc Electrical Engineering (Alumnus Round 2)

WANT TO BECOME A FUTURE FOUNDER? APPLY NOW:

Join Hamburg's most ambitious future founders. Apply now and unlock your entrepreneurial potential!
Apply now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?
Open to Master’s students, advanced Bachelor’s, and early Ph.D. candidates.
Is the program in English?
Yes, all sessions are conducted in English.
Can I earn credits?
ECTS credits are possible, depending on your university’s policies.
Can I join sessions digitally?
We arrange in-person formats in order to help participants get the maximum possible value from the tutors and grow their networks. Digital attendance is not possible at this point.
Contact person:

Sebastian Henley

Program Development Manager