Over 6 months, we guide you from proof-of-concept to an investable company — with structured venture building, 1:1 mentoring, and the opportunity for a first investment ticket of up to €50,000. Open to Deep-Tech teams from Hesse, the Rhine-Main region and across Germany.
A venture-building program for technology- and science-based Deep-Tech start-ups — rooted in the Rhine-Main region, open to teams from Hesse and across Germany.
Our goal is market access, team maturity, investment readiness and qualified follow-on connections to investors and industry. We combine scientific excellence, industrial networks and private capital to build scalable companies from research.
Each team has access to a possible investment ticket. The decision is made after three months based on progress, team maturity and market feedback. Execution can take the form of a market-standard convertible loan and/or silent partnership.
Investment is not guaranteed — private investors decide independently.AI & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Climate Tech, Biotech & Life Sciences, Materials Science, Hardware, SaaS
Experienced start-up coaches, mentors from industry, entrepreneurship and scaling experts
Product-market fit, founding team, business model, pitch and financing — all in 6 months
Top-level community from industry, science and investors — BMH · D11Z · earlybird · FUTURY Capital · HTGF · First Momentum Ventures · STS Ventures · TT49 · U2V
Five steps from scouting to follow-on financing. Each batch runs for 6 months and consists of a venture-building phase and an implementation phase.
Submit pitch deck, jury selection with mentors and investors, final admission.
Business model, market validation, team building, investor readiness. 1:1 mentoring.
Pitch to the Investment Committee. Decision on convertible loan and/or silent partnership — up to €50,000.
Market entry, prepare follow-on financing, industry and customer connections.
Warm intros to leading VCs, preparation for follow-on financing and lasting community.
The Company Builder is aimed at technology- and science-based start-ups that have already been founded or are about to be founded. Teams with a solid technology or IP base and a clear willingness to found can also apply. You bring a technology- or science-based business idea, a solid technology or IP base, and a clear willingness to found and further develop your start-up.
Experienced entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts personally accompany you — with concrete feedback on business model, market, team and financing. A mentoring budget of up to €5,000 for top-level mentoring is available per team.
Direct access to a curated network of industry companies, potential pilot customers and leading investors — via TU Darmstadt, FUTURY and our partners. No cold outreach — warm contacts with real leverage.
After three months, private investors independently decide on a possible first ticket of up to €50,000 — e.g., as a market-standard convertible loan and/or silent partnership. In total, up to nine teams can receive an investment. Not guaranteed, but a real chance for the best teams.
After the program, personal introductions to qualified investors — including BMH, D11Z, earlybird, FUTURY Capital, HTGF, First Momentum Ventures, STS Ventures, TT49 and U2V. You enter these conversations as a known and prepared team.
From team fit to investment readiness. Mentoring in the Company Builder is not casual advice — it's a defined process with clear objectives, review rhythm and real impact.
Regular exchange among mentors: moderated formats, anonymized cases, peer learning and networking. Avoids silo thinking and strengthens mentor engagement.
Structured reflection on highs & lows: case analyses, success factors, actionable recommendations and peer consultation. Makes lessons learned systematically usable.
Targeted training: storytelling, investor readiness, team building, equity distribution, go-to-market, KPIs and business model. Ensures a consistent quality level.
Matching by expertise, industry knowledge, startup needs, maturity, personal fit, availability and independence. Increases effectiveness and reduces mismatches.
Availability during the batch and clear communication about bottlenecks.
Direct feedback on team, market, product, fundraising and execution.
Independent perspective focused on the team's progress.
Our network of mentors comprises a wide range of experts from the tech and business world. Here we introduce our current lead coaches.
My great passion? Founding, without a doubt.
My path has taken me through the start-up scene, from laying the first foundations to the rise into scale-ups. Whether I'm founding myself or supporting others — I enjoy both immensely.
At my start-up reteach, we focus on opening the door to digital learning for SMEs through online academies.
"Just get started."
After building companies in sales & consulting, I made the leap into the digital start-up world. With energy, curiosity & a strong network, I have filled every gap — whether knowledge or top talent. This network still carries me today and drives new ideas forward! 🚀
"If you're not aggressive, you're not going to make money, and if you're not defensive, you're not going to keep it"
In 2018, I applied for an EXIST research transfer grant myself and co-founded the IoT start-up core sensing in 2019.
For over 5 years, I co-led the venture and was involved in everything from development to team building, sales and investors. Since 2024, I have been supporting founders through mentoring & coaching.
Mentor for start-ups and fintechs
"If people like you, they'll listen to you. But if they trust you, they'll do business with you." (Zig Ziglar)
"Founding a start-up is like a marathon: with the right mindset, every hurdle can be overcome and the finish line (exit) can be reached."
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do." (Goethe)
"Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come, carried by an enthusiastic team!"
"Say what you think and do what you say!"
Sales and marketing expert, corporate management, organizational development, purpose-driven & servant leadership experience, domestic & international assignments, long-standing business angel (board member of Business Angels Frankfurt Rhein Main) with numerous investments, strong business network
"There is nothing good, unless you do it."
A selection from the teams of the first two batches — from hardware to life sciences to space tech. Eight examples of what science produces when systematically translated into market-ready companies.
Innovative bicycle helmet based on air cushions — safe, foldable and sustainable. Convinces even non-helmet-wearers with comfort and design.
Revolutionary 3D bioprinters for tissue engineering and preclinical drug testing — organ models with the highest precision.
One-click TV system for elderly and care-dependent people — video calls with a single button press on the television.
Modular multimodal sensors as an intelligent measurement basis — integrated electronics and software for state-of-the-art analysis.
Innovative electrolyte salt for supercapacitors — improves performance and lifespan through an environmentally friendly process.
Software for highly dynamic peer-to-peer satellite networks — greater data availability and larger data volumes for satellite operators.
AI-powered SaaS solution for dental practices — automates documentation and billing, freeing more time for patients.
Cleantech startup for composite waste recovery via mobile pyrolysis systems — ecological and economical with transparent ESG data.
Application via Typeform — takes only a few minutes. For Deep-Tech teams from the Rhine-Main region and across Germany. Grant-funded, free of charge.
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Caroline brings extensive international leadership and project management experience. Alongside her role as department head, she drove change and integration projects across interdisciplinary teams. With her expertise in leadership, communication and technology markets, she now supports the Company Builder as Operational Program Manager.
Harald combines extensive founding experience with proven expertise in technology transfer. As a Dipl.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering, he has (co-)founded five start-ups and is (co-)inventor of six patents. Together with his team, he has supported over 100 start-ups — including 10 teams in the Company Builder. As CEO of HIGHEST, he helps science-based Deep-Tech ventures translate research results into scalable companies.
After his business studies, Thomas co-founded the EXIST-funded social startup integrAIDE and led it for 3.5 years. He then managed entrepreneurship and education projects in development cooperation in Africa and the Middle East. He has been with Futury since 2022, initially as head of the accelerator THE MISSION Food. Today he is responsible for early-stage startup programs and cooperation with the partner universities within the Futury Startup Factory.
Viktor combines technical know-how with founding experience. After studying industrial engineering, he worked as a Software Product Manager on digital production systems. He then co-founded the EXIST-funded startup greenable and served as CFO for three years. At Futury, he now supports early-stage teams in the Rhine-Main ecosystem with a focus on AI and Deep Tech.
This project (HA project no.: 8084/26-484) is funded within the framework of the Hesse Innovation Funding in the measure "Projects to increase competitiveness and founding motivation" by the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas.