Impact Incubator: Climate Tech

The programme takes place in Berlin, Germany where we will provide you access to one of Europe’s most vibrant startup scenes and connect you to like-minded entrepreneurs, decision-makers and startup experts. It’s a prerequisite that you are located in or willing to relocate to Berlin.

We designed  Impact Incubator to boost early-stage startups with a ready or almost ready prototype. The focus lies on solutions that have the potential to accelerate the transition to a green and net zero economy. You should be prepared to either start testing your solution with first pilot customers, or expand your existing customer base.

You’re eligible to apply if you:

• live and are registered in Berlin or plan to at least for the duration of the programme.
• Have not previously received an Exist Programme or Berlin Startup Scholarship. 
• Base or plan to base your venture headquarters in Berlin.
• Have not yet registered your company (or have been a registered company (Gewerbeschein) for NOT more than three months before your application).
• Have not yet received major external investments like prize money or business angel money, or major public funding before beginning the programme.
• Can commit full-time for the six months of the programme
• Are not registered as a university student for the duration of the programme. 
• (For non-EU residents) Have a valid Schengen Zone visa including permission to be self-employed.

Unfortunately this is not possible.

Yes, but you have to liquidate or sell your old company in order to fully focus on your new one.

No, this program is for entrepreneurs with no pre-existing knowledge about entrepreneurship.

Only if there is a legal document as proof that you have full power over the rights of the idea/prototype/technology.

No, you must leave your employment.

Yes, this is possible, but only if you can prove that there are no open seminars from the curriculum that you have to finish.

By submitting your application you should receive a confirmation email. If you haven’t received a confirmation, please contact us: impactincubator@impacthub.net.

The selection team of Impact Hub Berlin will screen all of the applications. In that phase you might be contacted by Impact Hub Berlin, if any questions should come up.

After screening all applications, the selection team will choose up to 15 teams that will be invited for personal interviews.

In the next step, Impact Hub Berlin will invite teams for the Pitch Day, where our external Advisory Committee composed of experts in the fields of greentech & climate tech, sustainability and business management will finally decide on the admission into the program.

In choosing the participants, we’ll take into account the entrepreneurial skills of the team, the potential for scaling and the positive impact of your solution. We’ll also take into consideration how persuasive you are in your pitch / application.

Applications will be assessed on:

• Social and ecological impact
• Business model and feasibility
• Potential to scale
• Team

The diversity of the team also plays a key role and we aim to have an equal gender split within the cohort.

Our focus is on collaboration – to be selected for the programme you must have a team of at least two founders and up to a maximum of 5 founders.  Please note that every participant has to be a shareholder/co-founder of the company that is to be founded. If you have a great product and are currently seeking co-founders, reach out to our team who may be able to advise or connect you to potential co-founders.

Impact Incubator will combine input from experts as well as highly individualized business coaching. As such we will cater to the specific needs of our start-ups and deem them highly relevant. We would expect that you attend all of the events and engage full-time.

The programme will be conducted in English. Please submit your documents and materials in English to attract the broadest range of potential partners and investors.

The Impact Hub Berlin designed the programme, implements all measures and ensures a smooth transition. We belong to a global network focused on building communities for impact at scale. With 100+ communities of almost 24,000 change-driven entrepreneurs in more than 50 countries across five continents, Impact Hub is one of the world’s largest communities and accelerators for positive change. The programme is supported and funded by the European Union (European Social Fund) and the Senate of Berlin. 

We take the Covid-19 situation very seriously and follow a safety-first policy. Through the use of technology, we’ve been able to maintain and in certain aspects even strengthen our programme delivery. We carefully align our policies with current developments and will do our best to support you whatever these may be.

All participants of the programme receive a stipend of EUR 2,200 per month, which should cover all costs incurred. In addition – but only for those startups that qualify and show high potential – we may also fund an ‘exposure trip’ to another Impact Hub outside of Germany for the purposes of implementing pilot projects or for traveling to conferences. 

Yes, generally the scholarship falls under the “Einkommensteuer” (income tax) and is “Sozialversicherungspflichtig” (subject to social insurance contribution). Whether and how much tax you have to pay for the scholarship depends on your personal situation. Please contact your tax department and/or consultant.

No, your other benefits will be affected by this income.