What we do
Building a founding team is one of the most critical and challenging steps in creating a successful deep-tech venture. DEEP πoneers is a plug-in ecosystem program which brings together top researchers from technology transfer offices with entrepreneurs and operators, to build teams with the skills, experience, and ambition to turn breakthrough technologies into scalable companies.
Matching is only the beginning. Through a structured process, DEEP πoneers supports newly formed teams with coaching, guidance, and practical tools to strengthen collaboration, build trust, and develop the foundations of a high-performing venture.
DEEP πoneers works directly with leading technology transfer offices, universities, research institutions, and investors across Europe to help transform promising intellectual property into companies built to scale.
DEEP πoneers is supported by the Joachim Herz Foundation.
How it works
DEEP πoneers combines structured matching with team development and coaching.
Success stories
Discover how DEEP supports the journey from scientific discovery to venture creation through real-world founder stories.
From lab to company: how DEEP πoneers built the team behind Hyca Heat
Cohort highlights
- Partnered with leading TTOs and venture capital firms across Europe to source high-potential intellectual property and experienced entrepreneurs
- 17 ventures selected across artificial intelligence, energy, biotechnology, quantum technologies, advanced materials, and other deep-tech sectors
- More than 200 entrepreneurs screened, with an average of 19 years of experience
- 24 companies founded and 9 exits represented across participating entrepreneurs
- 10 ventures progressed to minimum viable teams
- Hands-on coaching provided to support team development and venture readiness
- Applications received from leading institutions, including Max Planck, Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, TUM, CISPA, DKFZ, and others
Results to-date
- 2 companies founded
- 1 team preparing to formalize a co-founder agreement
- Additional ventures progressing through the coaching phase
Who should join
Researchers
You have breakthrough science or technology and are preparing to build a company.
- Strong scientific or technological breakthrough
- Up to 18 months from spin-out or at pre-seed stage
- Looking for a commercial co-founder
- Committed to building a high-performing founding team
Serial entrepreneurs and operators
You are ready to build your next deep-tech venture.
- 5–10+ years of startup or scale-up experience
- Commercial, fundraising, or scaling expertise
- First-principles thinker
- Collaborative, low-ego, high-conviction builder
- Ready to co-found a venture around breakthrough technology
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about participation, eligibility, funding, and the DEEP πoneers process.
Who should apply?
Researchers and deep-tech ventures
Researchers, research teams, and technology transfer offices (TTOs) with breakthrough technology or intellectual property who are looking for a commercial co-founder or founding team.
Commercial co-founders
Experienced founders and operators who want to build their next deep-tech venture around breakthrough technology.
Why DEEP πoneers?
Unlike traditional venture-building programs, DEEP πoneers focuses on one of the biggest barriers to successful deep-tech commercialization: building the right founding team.
Through structured matching and coaching, we help researchers and experienced entrepreneurs build high-performing teams around breakthrough technologies.
What kind of ventures qualify?
Deep-tech ventures based on a scientific or technological breakthrough that are either:
- Up to 18 months from spin-out readiness, or
- Already incorporated but still at pre-seed stage (equity-funded or grant-funded)
Projects should also have protected or protectable intellectual property and demonstrate strong commercial potential.
How does DEEP πioneers work?
DEEP πoneers follows a structured process:
Scouting → Matching workshop → Team coaching
We identify promising technologies and experienced entrepreneurs, bring them together through a structured matching process, and support newly formed teams through coaching and development.
What are the key dates?
Fall cohort
- Applications close: Mid-September
- Matching workshop: October
- Coaching phase: November–April
Spring cohort
- Applications close: December
- Matching workshop: February/March
- Coaching phase: March-August*
*Please note: these are approximate time frames. Exact dates will be confirmed for the participants of each cohort.
Is participation funded?
Yes. At this stage, all cohorts are fully funded through the support of the Joachim Herz Foundation.
Funding includes:
- Participation in the two-day matching workshop
- Team coaching for minimum viable teams
Participants are responsible for:
- Travel to and from the workshop location
- Visa costs (if applicable)
- Personal expenses
What is the time commitment?
Participants should plan for:
- A two-day, in-person matching workshop
- Approximately three hours per month of structured coaching over four to six months
What happens during the matching workshop?
The workshop is designed to assess founder fit, team alignment, and collaboration potential.
Participants meet potential co-founders, explore different team configurations, and work with experienced coaches to identify the strongest founding teams.
How long is the coaching phase?
The coaching phase lasts up to six months and typically includes two structured virtual coaching sessions per month.
What happens if I am not matched?
Strong applicants remain in the DEEP πoneers pipeline and may be considered for future cohorts as suitable opportunities arise.
How is confidentiality handled?
All information shared throughout the application and matching process is treated confidentially and is only shared with selected participants involved in DEEP πoneers.
What language is used?
English is the working language of DEEP πoneers.
Where does the program take place?
The matching workshop takes place in person. Most preparation and coaching activities are delivered virtually.
Are there sector priorities?
DEEP Pioneers is focused on deep-tech ventures and is sector-agnostic within that scope.
Recent cohorts have included ventures in:
- Artificial intelligence
- Biotechnology and health
- Quantum technologies
- Cybersecurity
- Computing
- Energy
- Advanced materials
- Agrifood
- Natural capital
Can existing startups apply?
Yes. Early-stage companies can apply, particularly if they are seeking an experienced commercial co-founder or additional founding team capabilities.
Legal disclaimer
The purpose of DEEP πoneers is to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and technology from science into practical application. The program is clearly positioned as pre-competitive/pre-market and does not support sales, scaling, or revenue-generating activities of teams. Instead, the focus is on co-founder matching and developing the teams, their structures, and capabilities that are essential for science-based spin-offs. The selection of participants and the program content are driven by the innovation and transfer potential of the projects, not by return expectations or the increase in value of individual start-ups.
Who runs DEEP πoneers?
DEEP πioneers is run by the DEEP Institute for Deep Tech Innovation at ESMT Berlin.
For questions about participation or partnerships, please contact:
Ali Alam
Manager Venture Building, DEEP πoneers
