The LMU Innovation Incubator

Program information

Audience: Researchers, advanced students, staff, alumni of all LMU faculties (single founders & teams)
Duration: One semester
Start: April & October
Cost: Free

Format: Hybrid (On-site Workshops & Online Coaching)
Language: English
Admission: Via application

Apply Now!

Be part of the upcoming LMU Innovation Incubator Edition #6

How to apply:

1. Complete the One-Pager profile document

2. If you already have a pitch deck, please include it

3. Plese remember to verify you cover the requirements

4. Send all the information to a.weichselbaum@lmu.de

ONE-PAGER PDF (PDF, 168 KB)

APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL October the 6th

About

What is the program about?

The LMU Innovation Incubator invites you to embark on a transformative 3-month startup journey. This exclusive program is designed to explore and validate groundbreaking ideas at the intersection of academia, science, and business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or seeking co-founders and early investors, our incubator is your gateway to success.

Benefits for the participants

A variety of practical workshop modules to learn and implement startup methods and tools to turn your research/idea into an innovative business.
Tailored advisory and individual coaching sessions.
Modules from IEC’s Impact Readiness Program to create impact with your research/idea.
An LMU Incubator Certificate in recognition of your successful participation.

Innovation and startup-related keynotes and webinars from experts and fellow LMU founders.
Co-working space and access to our LMU Startup Community.
Tips and tricks as well as opportunities to find co-founders.
Individual advisory with our partners at LMU Spin-off Service and LMU Referat Transfer.

Program objectives

Equip you with the skills to innovate and build a business from the ground up.
Help you merge your academic expertise with a founder's mindset and skillset.
Guide your team on the journey to prepare for market entry, attract investors, and make a significant impact.
Foster startups and spin-offs.

Ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within you.

Program Overview

Lab 1

5.& 6. November 2024 // 9:00- 17:00 Uhr

Coaching slots: 11.-13. November 2024

Understand your Startup Toolbox: Startup ABC & Agility
What’s your purpose? Set up your Strategic Core
Reflect on your Teams strenghts and roles and see who is still missing
Working Session & Founders‘ visit

Lab 2

10.& 11. Dezember // 9:00- 17:00 Uhr

Coaching slots: 7.-9. Januar 2025

Explore your market possibilities and define potential market segments for your innovation.
Understand your customer to validate your idea, and build a prototype to gain customer insights
Use AI to raise efficiency within your Startup journey
Working Session & Founders‘ visit

Lab 3

11.& 12.Februar 2025 // 9:00 -17:00 Uhr

Coaching slots: 13. - 14. Februar

Craft an impactful business model or refine an existing one with IEC's Business Impact Canvas.
Uncover the best financing strategies and funding opportunities
Map out the next steps for your venture
Working Session & Founders‘ visit

Lab 4

11.& 12. März 2025 // 9:00 -17:00 Uhr

Coaching slots: 17.- 19. März 2025

Learn to effectively pitch your idea to co-founders, stakeholders, and investors.
Thrive and Survive as an Entrepreneur: create a (resilient) Founders‘ mindset
Working Session & Founders‘ visit

Pitch Training 26. -28. März 2025 / 9:00 -16:00 Uhr

Demo Day: April 10th @ Werk1

Application requirements

You possess research findings that address and solve a clear real-world problem.

Your idea/product/service demonstrates clear applicability.

You are in the early stages of your idea/product (pre-seed, prototype).

You're eager to explore market opportunities, define customer segments, and establish a suitable business model for your idea/product.

If your ideas and/or innovations are funded by external investors, you must be willing to clarify IP issues and share confidential information with us.

You have the time and are fully committed to participating actively in the program and diligently working on advancing your idea (attendance and progress documentation within the program are mandatory).

Resolve intellectual property matters before joining the incubator, as external investment requires clarity on IP issues.

To be eligible, teams must consist of a minimum of two members.

You are a PhD student or Researcher.

Master’s Degree Students can apply when:

You have submitted your Master’s thesis before the start of the incubation program, or
Your Master’s thesis is directly related to your startup idea.

Application process

Application for the program is during the designated periods of February-March and August-September. Please fill out the one-pager detailing your startup idea using our provided template. When the application period is open, the one-pager template is available on this webpage.

Successful applicants will be notified via email.

Bringing science into action since 2022: IEC Incubation Teams

Our experts & Startup Coaches

LMU IEC Demo Day 2023

Price for best team sponsored by Münchner Universitätsgesellschaft

We are delighted to announce an exciting collaboration between the LMU Innovation Incubator and the Universitätsgesellschaft (MUG).

In line with our dedication to recognizing the transformational power of science from within LMU , we are proud to share that MUG is sponsoring a funding prize for knowledge transfer and impact entrepreneurship, which will be awarded to one of our Incubation program participant teams. The award aims to honor pioneering start-up projects that demonstrate remarkable potential for impact and entrepreneurship. We want to thank Münchner Universitätsgesellschaft for sharing our passion to support LMU startups and research transfer.