Weekly Wrap-up: Our Topics in week 39

Prof. Dr Christian Hackenberger of Humboldt University of Berlin and the Leibniz-FMP is one of this year’s twenty winners of the prestigious UNIPRENEURS initiative, which recognises outstanding achievements in spin-offs. His research focuses on the development of new chemical methods for biomolecule modification, as well as P5 labelling technology for innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Together with partners, he founded the biotech company Tubulis in 2019; its P5-ADCs are currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of ovarian and lung cancer. The acquisition of Tubulis by the US pharmaceutical company Gilead in April 2026 for up to 5 billion US dollars ranks among the largest transactions in the European biotech sector in recent years. HU President Prof. Dr Julia von Blumenthal congratulated him on this honour and emphasised the great importance of spin-offs in addressing pressing societal problems, such as novel cancer therapies. Read more in our Newscorner: HU professor is one of the 20 UNIPRENEURS 2026 | Humboldt Innovation

The start-up mika has raised 6 million euros in a seed funding round led by Smedvig Ventures, marking another milestone following its participation in the AI NATION Accelerator. Using proprietary AI models trained on German tax and accounting law, the company automates bookkeeping, VAT returns and annual accounts, thereby significantly easing the burden on founders. The AI automation is complemented by a team of in-house accountants who step in whenever human expertise is required. Since the start of the year, mika has expanded its customer base from 400 to over 750 companies, surpassed the one million euro mark in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and achieved monthly growth rates of over 20 per cent. In doing so, the start-up is lowering the bureaucratic hurdles involved in setting up limited liability companies (GmbHs) in Germany and making entrepreneurship accessible to even more people.

Der Beitrag Week 39: HU Professor is an UNIPRENEUR, AI NATION Team secures €6 Million in Funding Round erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

Weekly Wrap-up: Our Topics in Week 38

Science and industry are to be integrated even more closely. To this end, the President of Humboldt University of Berlin, Prof. Dr Julia von Blumenthal, and the President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Sebastian Stietzel, signed a cooperation agreement on 16 September. One example of this collaboration is the new AI-based platform PatentPlus, which HU has developed with the support of the IHK. With PatentPlus, the university is, for the first time, making its entire patent portfolio publicly available as a searchable technology offering, thereby closing one of the key gaps in knowledge transfer. The platform enables companies and investors to search specifically for licensable technologies or research partnerships. Read the full press release here: Cooperation agreement signed between Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Humboldt Innovation

The gender health data gap is a major problem that results in many ‘female’ health conditions going undiagnosed or being inadequately treated. Batch IV of the Berlin Start-up Grant is now set to comprise start-ups that tackle this problem. Start-ups developing technologies to close the health data gap can apply for the grant until 4 November 2026. Further information is available here: Science & Startups

Der Beitrag Week 38: Cooperation Agreement between HU and Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BSS Batch with Focus on FemTech erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

Weekly Wrap-up: Our topics in week 37

Experiencing green chemistry first-hand: greenCHEM’s latest start-up visits offered fascinating insights into pioneering deep-tech innovations. A particular highlight was the visit to the Scale-Up Lab, where participants took an in-depth look at the water treatment solutions offered by the start-ups Aquapur and Liqchlor. This provided a compelling demonstration of how chemistry and bio-based materials can be used to solve pressing environmental problems such as water pollution. Alongside the technological approaches, the focus was primarily on practical questions regarding setting up a business and tackling day-to-day challenges. Such events demonstrate once again how scientific findings are translated into concrete, sustainable technologies for practical application: https://lnkd.in/p/d_weYa3e

In its ‘Zukunftsköpfe’ series (≈trailblazers series), Projekt Zukunft Berlin profiles the entrepreneur Nora von Breitenbach and her start-up Quouch, which was spun off from the HU. This specialised platform enables FLINTA* and queer people to travel safely around the world and make local connections. Rather than mere technological hype, the focus here is on fostering trusting, human connections. The fact that this approach is winning people over was demonstrated not least by the company reaching the semi-finals of the Berlin Female Founders Contest. The interview highlights how innovations for niche target groups can transform the travel sector in a sustainable and more inclusive way: Leaders of Tomorrow: Nora von Breitenbach of Quouch – Berlin.de

Der Beitrag Week 37: Experiencing Green Chemistry first-hand, Quouch Founder is one of Berlin’s “Zukunftsköpfe” erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

Germany and Thailand are linked by strong trade relations, innovation, a spirit of scientific enquiry and technological expertise. Within South-East Asia, Thailand is currently a leader in innovation and is particularly well-positioned in the fields of logistics and aviation, advanced manufacturing and electromobility, as well as health and wellness. Furthermore, the Thai government actively supports start-ups and invests in science and development. Meanwhile, Germany possesses extensive expertise in applied research, technology transfer and start-up support. Building on this foundation, the two countries now wish to create synergies.

This initiative was recently launched following an invitation from the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin, in particular from His Excellency Chittipat Tongprasroeth. He welcomed a German delegation comprising six experts from the fields of the start-up ecosystem, deep technology, green technology and innovation for a week-long visit to Bangkok. Also part of the delegation was Katharina Heinrich, a start-up consultant at Science & Startups. The delegation met with representatives from Thailand’s start-up hub and the Mayor of Bangkok, amongst others, and attended the TechSauce conference. All with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the countries and fostering mutual understanding. Further information is available here.

At the weekend, Berlin’s innovation and start-up scene celebrated the topping-out ceremony for a venue that is unique in Europe, just one year after construction began: the Chemical Invention Factory – John Warner Centre (CIF). Located in the heart of the Charlottenburg campus of the Technical University of Berlin, it is set to serve as a new research and technology transfer infrastructure upon completion, creating the conditions for science and industry to collaborate even more effectively. In what will then be Europe’s largest laboratory infrastructure for science-based technology transfer and pre-start-up teams, researchers will have the opportunity to further develop findings under real-world conditions, validate applications and turn scientific ideas into viable start-up ventures. There will be a particular focus on the field of chemistry. The construction of the CIF thus ties in with both the state’s research policy strategy and the federal government’s chemistry agenda.

Der Beitrag Week 36: Delegation follows Royal Invitation to Thailand, Topping-Out Ceremony of Chemical Invention Factory erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

Last week, 11 start-up teams pitched their solutions in the field of critical infrastructure resilience to a select panel of judges at the Startup-Villa in Dahlem, competing for the Berlin Start-up Grant. On 1 October 2026, the teams chosen by the expert panel – comprising Kathrin Lahme (Marienpark Berlin), Constanze Kettlitz-Profe (T-Labs & hubraum), Patrick Theuer (Deutsche Bahn), Christian Segal (Berliner Sparkasse), Philipp Heinicke and Ole Senkbeil (both from Science & Startups), will launch as Batch III of the Berlin Start-up Grant and receive support through the programme for 12 months.

At the final of the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition 2026, five of the ten finalist teams came from the Science & Startups network and impressed the judging panel. Among them was the HU start-up and upcycling company recreategoods, founded by former EXIST Women fellow Stephanie Pupke-Bertram, which was recognised for making it into the competition’s top 10.

Der Beitrag Week 34: Pitching for a Berlin Start-Up Grant, HU Start-Up honoured at Business Plan Competition erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

In 2025, Science & Startups was ranked 19th; in 2026, it has secured 12th place in the Financial Times, Statista and Sifted ranking of Europe’s leading start-up hubs. This rapid rise is a special honour, as it is based, amongst other things, on the honest assessments of the founders who got their start at Science & Startups. Perhaps Berlin’s start-up hub will climb a few more places in 2027 – and you can help make that happen by taking part in the current survey: Start_UP_Hubs_Alumni

From 10 August to 5 October 2026, researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises based in Berlin can once again apply for the ProValid funding programme with their projects. Projects must still be in their early stages and therefore not yet ready for the market. Funding is available for validation activities such as technical feasibility studies, prototype development or market potential analyses. ProValid was launched to bridge the funding gap between research and commercial application. The programme is commissioned by the State of Berlin and administered by IBB Business Team GmbH. Apply now: ProValid Forschungsförderung | IBB Business Team GmbH

Health-tech start-up Noah Labs is a finalist in the Falling Walls Venture 2026 competition, making it one of 25 companies selected from 370 entries from 60 countries. On 6 November, the team will take to the stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin to deliver their pitch, entitled “Breaking the Wall of Heart Failure”, and compete for the Science Breakthrough of the Year 2026 award. The Falling Walls Foundation is the patron of the event and brings together science, business and society to create forward-looking impact. Tickets for the summit are available at: Attendees 2026 | Falling Walls

Der Beitrag Weeks 32 & 33: Science & Startups ranks 12th in List of Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs, ProValid moves into its Second Round, News from Noah Labs erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

With one exception, all figures in the Humboldt Founder Report have risen significantly over the past quarter. Among other things, Humboldt Founders created a total of 2,543 new jobs, completed 33 funding rounds and founded 13 companies, 11 of which are based in Berlin. A glance at the reports up to 2024 makes it clear just how much has changed in the space of two years: whilst there were 488 companies founded by Humboldt Founders in the first quarter of 2024, the figure now stands at 859. If you are also a member of staff or an alumna or alumnus of Humboldt University of Berlin, you too are welcome to join the Humboldt Founders Club and meet like-minded people: Humboldt Founders Club Anmeldung

The Resilience Technology Campus Marienpark Berlin is a partner of Science & Startups for Batch III of the Berlin Start-up Grant. For Batch III, Science & Startups is seeking science-based start-up ideas that strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure. Marienpark Berlin does precisely this by acting as a mission-driven ecosystem that brings together science and entrepreneurship with a focus on strengthening resilience. Winners of the Berlin Start-up Grant can further expand their businesses with the help of the campus’s hardened infrastructure. Secure data centres, laboratories and protected development and production areas are available, enabling sensitive technologies to be developed. In this way, innovations can not only be created but also tested and validated under real-world conditions. The deadline for applications is 3 August 2026. The last opportunity for an initial consultation is 31 July 2026. Book an appointment now: Kontakt

Der Beitrag Week 30: Humboldt Founder Report of Q2/2026, Resilience Tech Campus is Partner of BSS erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

The Start-up Association’s ‘Next Generation’ report confirms Berlin as Germany’s strongest hub for start-ups: with 429 new start-ups in the first half of 2026, Berlin has set a new record for the whole of Germany. Hamburg follows with 212, Munich with 208 and Cologne with 90 new start-ups over the same period. In terms of start-ups per capita, Berlin takes second place among the federal states and is thus well ahead of the rest. Only Munich performs better in this respect, taking first place. Further, it is also interesting to note that 34 per cent of all new start-ups in Germany now have a clear link to AI. In 2025, this figure stood at just 27 per cent. Berlin’s start-up scene is benefiting from this, with its infrastructure shaped by AI incubators such as AI NATION.

Julia von Blumenthal, the renowned political scientist and President of Humboldt University of Berlin, has now become a member of the Business Angels Club Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. (BACB), where she is promoting the transfer of knowledge. Here, von Blumenthal’s expertise is intended to bring together academic research and private investors in order to optimally drive forward academic spin-offs. Within this framework, the aim is also to expand cooperation with the start-up platform JUNI. Von Blumenthal wants to “build bridges and bring networks together. The aim is to link excellent academic research with the right investment (…).”

Der Beitrag Week 29: “Next Generation” Report 2026, HU President Member of BACB Board of Trustees erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

Last week, representatives of chemistry-specific technology transfer ecosystems, such as Carolina Wolters Soto and Martin Rahmel from greenCHEM, discussed with Green Party members of the Bundestag how to bridge the gap between excellent chemical research and genuine innovation. The focus was on greenCHEM’s discussion paper “GO-Chem” and the question of how technology transfer in the chemical sector can be specifically strengthened. The chemical industry is of vital importance for a climate-neutral and sustainable economy. Whilst Germany has the necessary research infrastructure, translating research into practical applications remains a major challenge. The experts noted that this step requires dedicated transfer teams, transfer-specific chemical laboratories and infrastructure, as well as funding programmes. greenCHEM’s discussion paper outlines what a specific funding programme for transfer teams in the chemical sector might look like. One thing is clear, however: a successful transformation can only take place if science, politics and industry work together.

Berlin has reached a new record high with 429 newly founded start-ups in the first half of 2026. This represents a 21 per cent increase compared with the second half of 2025. However, there is no time to rest on these figures, as Germany’s major cities are also catching up. New companies are constantly emerging in Munich, Hamburg and Cologne, and university cities in particular – such as Aachen, Potsdam and Heidelberg – are experiencing a boom. Berlin’s success is largely driven by the close collaboration between Berlin’s universities and the Charité through the Berlin University Alliance, which enables research innovations to be directly translated into start-up activities.

Der Beitrag Week 28: Bundestag meets Chemical Industry, 429 Berlin Startups within first Half of Year erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.

Last week, the Berlin and Munich AI NATION offices simultaneously hosted a summer party and were connected via live stream. Founders, mentors, and friends from the ecosystem came together and spent a relaxing summer evening accompanied by live DJs, snacks and cold drinks at AI Campus Berlin.

Monday of last week started with an innovate! work session by greenCHEM, where participants discussed German regulations for Green Chemistry startups. Further, they explored how circularity can be a useful strategy rather than just a checkbox on the compliance agenda. One key takeaway was that startups should consider regulations from day one. Waiting too long could quickly become overwhelming and lead to avoidable costs.

Der Beitrag Week 27: AI NATION celebrates summer party, innovate! work session by greenCHEM erschien zuerst auf Humboldt-Innovation Insights.