The Incubator for Digital Engineers
Attention
The twelve-week incubation program for digital engineers without costs and the opportunity to receive an initial investment. The industry-agnostic incubator is designed for every tech entrepreneur who strives to solve global challenges and create sustainable impact.
During this program, our team provides you with guidance, resources, and an outstanding community allowing you to focus on developing and growing your business idea into a successful startup.
Term(s)
28.10.2024 – 30.01.2025
Time investment
Full-time programm
(4 days a week, on campus experience and online events)
ECTS
No ECTS, but full experience
Module type
Module selection at HPI
Grades
Enrollment deadline
Examination date
Teaching format
Teaching language
English
Registration
Fee
Equity free, no costs
Team budget
2.000,- € (e.g. software licenses and necessary travel)
HPI Founder Scholarship
1.500,- € p.m. for 3 months, only for students (HPI and external), application necessary
Participants
Everyone, HPI students or external
Teams of 2–5 with a validated idea
Individuals with a validated idea
Individuals wanting to join a team
Maximum number of Participants
Room (Location)
Key dates
08.09.24 – 29.09.24
Application Period
08.09.24 – 11.10.24
Interview Process (Rolling Admission)
11.10.24
Announcement Participants
14.10.24 – 25.10.24
Informal Events (Virtual Kick-off, Co-Founder Matching, etc.)
28.10.24 – 30.10.24
Kick-off Week
04.12.24
Community Night
12.12.24
Challenger Day (Intermediate Presentation)
23.12.24 – 05.01.25
Christmas Break
30.01.25
HPI Tomorrow Day (Final Presentation)
ongoing
Support and Founder Community Member
Learning and Teaching Methods
Twelve-week incubation process with a clear structure and enough space for creativity
Venturing is a radically proactive and inclusive approach to build, establish and grow startups while consistently applying a clear roadmap during the entire development and growth process. In other words, it is about iterative ideation and validation of a business idea, ultimately leading to a real startup. The Incubator for Digital Engineers is designed to structure and support the creation of your business model at a very early stage so that your promising business idea can be developed and turned into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Our program consists of customized workshops, expert input sessions, and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. Each week focuses on a specific entrepreneurial topic, helping you refine your business model and build your venture while we support you. We provide guidance and address your individual needs, challenges, and financing opportunities to help you succeed. The incubation program starts with a Kick-off event at an off-site location where you meet other participants and the support team. Midway through the program, you'll pitch to investors at "Challenger Day," receiving valuable feedback to prepare for fundraising. The incubator ends with the final "Tomorrow Day," where each team will present their venture idea and get another opportunity to connect with venture capitalists and business angels.
We aim to get you and your startup to a level where you are ready to convince first customers and secure funding. After the program, we will close the batch and individually support your team on the next steps. You will become a lifelong member of our founder's community with access to networking events and advisory appointments.
Everyone can be a tech entrepreneur. We believe that talent and innovative ideas can come from various backgrounds. Our aim is to create an inclusive and diverse community of entrepreneurs. To achieve this, we will support you on your journey.With our incubation program, you can take your business idea to the next level.
■ 01
Gain an Entrepreneurial Mindset
■ 02
Learn Venturing
■ 03
Leverage Competitive Advantages Through Resources
■ 04
Ecosystem Services
■ 05
■ 06
■ 07
■ 08
■ 09
■ 10
■ 11
■ 12
Preliminary schedule. All lecture topics are subject to change.
Part 1
Week 1
Day 1
28.10.2024
Offsite Event
Business Model & Team Building
Week 2
Day 2
04.11.2024
Hypotheses Testing & Prototyping
Week 3
Day 3
11.11.2024
Strategy & Market
Week 4
Day 4
18.11.2024
Marketing & Sales
Week 5
Day 5
25.11.2024
Finance & Fundraising
Week 6
Day 6
02.12.2024
Pitch Training 1
Week 7
Day 7
09.12.2024
Go-to-Market Planning and Roadmap Planning
Challenger Day (12.12.2024)
Week 8
Day 8
16.12.2024
Review & Feedback Session
Week 9
Day 9
06.01.2025
Pricing
Week 10
Day 10
13.01.2025
Tax & Legal
Week 11
Day 11
20.01.2025
Pitch Training 2
Week 12
Day 12
27.01.2025
Pitch Preparation
Tomorrow Day & Final Pitches (30.01.2025)
Week 13
Day 13
Week 14
Day 14
Week 15
Day 15
Week 16
Day 16
Week 17
Day 17
Week 18
Day 18
Week 19
Day 19
Week 20
Day 20
Part 2
Week 1
Day 1
Week 2
Day 2
Week 3
Day 3
Week 4
Day 4
Week 5
Day 5
Week 6
Day 6
Week 7
Day 7
Week 8
Day 8
Week 9
Day 9
Week 10
Day 10
Week 11
Day 11
Week 12
Day 12
Week 13
Day 13
Week 14
Day 14
Week 15
Day 15
Week 16
Day 16
Week 17
Day 17
Week 18
Day 18
Week 19
Day 19
Week 20
Day 20
Unique funding opportunity
HPI Venture Builder - The Incubator for Digital Engineers offers participants through the HPI Seed and further investors the unique opportunity to obtain initial funding in an uncomplicated manner during the pre-seed phase to reach essential milestones on the way to further funding rounds.
Strong brand
HPI is one of the leading institutes for IT in Germany. We have a strong brand and are trusted by many tech entrepreneurs. We have gained credibility over the years, and our existing network of experts makes us a "Go-to Partner" for developing new startups and enables further collaborations with companies, universities, and venture capitalists.
Outstanding community
We already have a strong founders’ community, an existing entrepreneurship club with 80+ members, and a diverse portfolio of successful startups working in our co-working spaces. The exciting combination between the entrepreneurial university ecosystem and investment opportunities connects well-educated talents, provides an infrastructure for an innovative environment, and makes financial resources available. This vibrant community further ensures valuable networking opportunities and a supportive ecosystem for your startup journey.
Requirements
Program Structure
Data Rights
Robin Scharf
Program Manager
Apply via our application form from the start of the application period.
Please use the registration form