The fact that start-ups are a key driver of innovation and economic progress in Berlin was once again made clear at the Berlin Startup Pitch in the Rotes Rathaus (the seat of the Mayor of Belrin): 20 young companies that have completed the Berlin Startup Scholarship were given the opportunity to present their business ideas. The event brought together founders, business promoters and decision-makers on 24 March 2025. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey emphasised the importance of startups for the future of the capital in their speeches.

The BHT Startup Hub of the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT) was also represented by two of its alumni teams: Maluma presented an AI-supported educational platform for primary schools that is designed to promote individualised learning and relieve the burden on teachers. U Impact presented a solution for sustainable investing that combines generative AI and insights from behavioural science to provide targeted support for investors.

During their time in the Berlin Startup Scholarship, both teams received intensive support from the BHT Startup Hub – from business model development and strategic planning to the preparation of their pitch presentations.

The Berlin Startup Scholarship is financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the State of Berlin and offers founders not only financial support but also coaching and access to networks to accompany innovative business ideas from the concept phase to market maturity.

On 26 February 2025, the first Berlin Deep Tech Nexus Meetup took place at MotionLab.Berlin. More than 100 guests from across Berlin’s deep tech ecosystem – including students, researchers, startups, venture builders and investors – accepted the invitation of the BHT Startup Hub and ensured an inspiring evening full of exchange, ideas and new connections.

With its diversity of talent, research projects and entrepreneurial spirit, Berlin offers the best conditions for establishing itself as a leading deep tech location in Germany. Areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, life sciences, robotics and quantum technology are already strongly represented in the capital. However, in order to fully realise this potential, stronger collaborations, more visibility for innovations and closer networking between education, research and entrepreneurship are needed – and this is precisely where the Berlin Deep Tech Nexus Meetup comes in.

The first Meetup was characterised by a series of inspiring keynotes in which innovative research projects and young companies presented their approaches. Contributions from representatives of the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT) – including Prof.Dr. Steffen Prowe and PhD candidate Steffen Puhlmann, the BAM – Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, the Technical University of Berlin and promising start-ups such as Eyonex Glass Technologies and SPAIA demonstrated the diversity and dynamism of Berlin’s deep tech scene. Afterwards, an open microphone session provided space for spontaneous ideas, new collaborations and personal encounters in a relaxed, community-orientated atmosphere.

The Berlin Deep Tech Nexus Meetup aims to connect the large number of students and researchers in Berlin even more closely with the startup and enterprise scene and thus strengthen the city’s innovative power in the long term. Further meetups are planned throughout the year to jointly shape the future of Deep Tech in Berlin.

Are you a woman with an innovative business idea? Do you dream of bringing your startup vision to life? The EXIST Women programme of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) offers the perfect opportunity for women with innovative ideas to turn their entrepreneurial aspirations into reality!

At the BHT Startup Hub, we are proud to support female founders through this programme with 10 spots, which provide:

• Financial support from 1.000 to 3.000 Euros
• Mentoring from experienced startup advisors
• Access to our entrepreneurial network
• Resources to refine your business idea and kickstart your journey

EXIST Women is aimed at female graduates (degree also older than 5 years), female scientists, female students and women with vocational training and a connection to the university who are interested in the topic of start-ups.

 

This is your chance to combine your expertise, creativity, and ambition to make a real impact.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025
Learn more and apply here  More Info

Over the past year, the BHT Startup Hub has had the privilege of supporting three outstanding startups: Scripe, Dialectics.com, and Wavess. With the support of the Berliner Startup Stipendium and the BHT Startup Hub, these teams have achieved remarkable milestones, such as gaining their first paying customers, validating their solutions in real-world markets, and securing the confidence to tackle their next big steps.

Here’s a closer look at their inspiring journeys:

• Scripe has transformed content creation on LinkedIn with AI, recently securing a pre-seed funding round.
• Dialectics is empowering people with Type 1 Diabetes through interactive, expert-driven online courses.
• Wavess is redefining B2B marketing with neurosciene, offline data and AI-driven tools that boost efficiency and results.

Their time at the BHT Startup Hub was marked by a focus on refining key product features, validating their offerings with real customers, and receiving invaluable guidance from our dedicated coaches and mentors. These elements were critical in helping them overcome challenges and build a solid foundation for future growth.

Recently, we bid them farewell during a gathering at our coworking space, followed by the BSS Startup Nexus Event at SAP Data Space, organized by avant now // innovation for impact. This inspiring event showcased some of the most promising BSS startups, particularly those offering solutions in ClimateTech. It was a fantastic opportunity for networking and celebrating the spirit of innovation.

We couldn’t be prouder of Scripe, Dialectics, and Wavess. Their dedication, creativity, and resilience inspire us all, and we are excited to see how they will continue to shape their industries. Join us in wishing them every success as they take their next steps in their entrepreneurial journeys!

The BHT Startup Hub recently had the privilege of participating in an inspiring evening dedicated to changemakers in sustainable fashion. The event, part of the quarterly Impact Stories series at Impact Hub Berlin, brought together leaders and innovators driving real change in the circular economy. Through heartfelt stories, engaging discussions, and valuable networking, the evening showcased how bold ideas and creative solutions are shaping the future of fashion.

At the heart of the evening were three remarkable speakers:

• Martina Steinke, a sustainable stylist and advocate for “shopping in your own closet,” shared her vision for moving away from fast fashion. Through initiatives like Fashion Revolution, Martina inspires mindful consumer choices and a more circular approach to fashion.
• Frank Peralta, founder of Peralta Clothing, and Dalma Braun, founder of Dollitta the Brand, presented their collaboration on upcycled leather. From high-performance engineering to bespoke designs showcased at Berlin Fashion Week, their work highlights the harmony of industrial innovation and sustainability.
• Marte Hentschel, Co-CEO of VORN — The Berlin Fashion Hub, explored the intersection of supply chain sustainability, collaborative design, and digital innovation. As a serial entrepreneur, Marte champions systemic transformation within the fashion industry.

The event’s format—featuring short, impactful presentations followed by open dialogue—allowed for an intimate and meaningful exchange of ideas. Drinks and networking further fostered connections among attendees, creating opportunities to collaborate and innovate.

The event was part of the A-B-Circular project to promote the climate-neutral manufacture of products “Made in Berlin” in the design/fashion and architecture/construction sectors. The A-B-Circular project is funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affaitd, Energy and Public Enterprises as part of the call for a circular economy in the Masterplan Industriestadt Berlin 2022-2026.

On November 20, 2024, our event at the Infocenter of the former Tegel Airport as part of the MATERIAL CULTURE BERLIN TXL 2024 exhibition was a tremendous success! Together with our future partner, Urban Tech Republic, and Circular Berlin, we welcomed a full house.

The event provided an inspiring platform for startups, companies, and enthusiasts to explore the future of building with recycled and regionally sourced materials. Engaging presentations, lively discussions, and an interactive Business Matching Game made the day an unforgettable experience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants and our partners, especially Urban Tech Republic, for the fantastic collaboration. Together, we are shaping a sustainable future for the construction industry!

This is event is part of the A-B-Circular Project funded by the Masterplan Industriestadt Berlin 2022-2026.

Berlin combines tradition and innovation in science and research. The Brain City campaign, an initiative of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology together with the network of Berlin’s science partners, was launched to highlight the capital’s diversity and strengths.

We have also become part of this campaign: In an Instagram reel, Adelina from the startup Sulpont gave an insight into her work and the BHT startup with its co-working space.

If you would like to find out more about her path to founding a company, how the BHT Startup Hub team supported her and what you can do in the co-working space, take a look at the short interview.

The BHT Startup Hub had the opportunity to contribute to the programme at the Transferale, the science and transfer festival of the ‘Zukunft findet Stadt’ project.

The first event, which was part of the A-B-Circular project of the Masterplan Industriestand Berlin, focussed on ‘New Building’ and offered the opportunity for a lively exchange with experts from science and industry. The construction industry continues to be characterised by high CO2 emissions and large amounts of waste – but there are signs of change that can be seen in various aspects. Whether through building in existing buildings, which Prof Matthias Haber from the BHT showed with the project ‘A Building Life’, which convincingly demonstrates the qualities of reuse in the construction industry, or the ‘House of Transformation’, which Prof Sebastian Feucht from the HTW presented – it is becoming increasingly clear that the construction industry is undergoing change and that the time is ripe. In a panel discussion with Sofia Ceylan, architect and founder of TOMAS Transformation of Material and Space, and Simon Kimmel, project manager for the Urban Tech Republic at Tegel Projekt GmbH, it became clear that one of the challenges standing in the way of change is still the cost. Traditional construction methods are still more cost-effective. However, this should not prevent us from creating space for experimental projects and thus paving the way for sustainable realisations.

The second event brought together the BHT Startup Hub, HTW Startup, HWR Startup Incubator Berlin and Impact Hub Berlin. All incubators had the opportunity to present themselves to interested participants and provide an insight into their funding opportunities for founders. There were also six start-up teams who, despite their different subject areas – from sustainability in the skilled trades to a fertility care platform and a type 1 diabetes platform – all have one thing in common: They want to make a difference with their solution.

We are delighted to have been part of this exciting and inspiring event and look forward to further opportunities to make a difference together. This provided an opportunity for a lively exchange with experts from science and industry.

After twelve months of support, coaching and mentoring, it was recently time for us to say goodbye to five startups: Tekkr, Homesome Living, SulPont, Maluma and Fion Energy. Last year, they were all part of the Berliner Startup Stipendium, a support programme for startups at our BHT Startup Hub, funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy & Enterprises and ESF.

Despite many challenges, realignments and team changes, all startups were able to make great progress on their start-up journey – even four of them gained paying customers, which is a great success.

Although both their overall journey and their business models were very different, they all agreed on one thing: the BHT Startup Hub and its programme of coaching and workshops on various topics, as well as the financial support from the Berliner Startup-Stipendium, gave them the security and confidence they needed in the early stages of setting up their businesses.

We are delighted to have been able to accompany them over the past twelve months and wish them every success in their future endeavours – and of course we hope to see them again at the Startup Hub and Coworking Space, where they are always welcome.