We empower the strongest tech start-ups in the pre-seed and seed stage on their way from MVP to market entry.

XPRENEURS by UnternehmerTUM is Europe’s leading deep-tech B2B accelerator - where tomorrow’s game-changers are built.

Apply now for Batch #18 Join our Q&A Session on June 17

You bring the vision. We accelerate your journey.

Fueling your start-up journey from idea to impact with the team’s entrepreneurial expertise and huge network.

We work side by side with you to sharpen your business model, find your first customers, and connect you with leading investors.

Application phase: June, 4 2025 - July 7, 2025
Program: September 4, 2025 - December 11, 2025
Q&A Session: June 17, 2025, register here

Groundbreaking solutions in all technology fields are welcome!

We are keen to work with the most visionary, ambitious start-ups in the in the pre-seed and seed stage with a strong deep-tech focus. We are looking forward to seeing creative and groundbreaking solutions in all technology fields.

Apply now and start your XPRENEURS journey.

EXPERT SUPPORT THAT MOVES YOU FORWARD

Tap into a powerful alumni network with 1300+ founders and industry experts that have been there and have done that.
80+ hours of expert-led sessions and workshops tailored to your needs on go-to-market, B2B sales, fundraising, IP & team.
1:1 growth coaching to tackle your biggest challenges.

FUNDING THAT FUELS YOUR GROWTH

Exclusive access to 250+ VCs, including pre-seed & seed investors and active business angels offering mentorship & capital.
Regular pitch and networking events to get in front of the right people.
Support in accessing public funding through partnerships with other European start-up programs.

INTRODUCTIONS THAT OPEN DOORS TO YOU FIRST CUSTOMERS

Hands-on support to find your first paying customers.
Access to 300+ global corporate partners (e.g., Siemens, BMW, Airbus, family offices).
Direct access to a growing network of early adopters & B2B clients.

INNOVATION NEEDS A HOME - HERE'S YOURS

Modern office space at the heart of Europe’s #1 Startup Hub UnternehmerTUM, recognized by Financial Times and Statista.
Access to prototyping tools and hardware infrastructure, with perks valued >$600K (e.g., Google Cloud, Stripe, MathWorks).
Tailored expert and peer learning sessions.

... and all that is equity free!

Unlike many other accelerators and incubators we have a founders-first approach without taking equity, allowing founders to retain full ownership and control of their companies.

Online Q&A Session

Join our Q&A Session

The application phase for Batch #18 is in full swing, and we know you've got questions: What’s the program really like? What makes a great application? How do you get in? Join our Online Q&A Session with Vivian Wiljanen and Timo Dohmen from the XPRENEURS team – your go-to insiders! But that’s not all: you’ll also hear straight from one of our current start-ups in Batch #17 – raw, honest, and full of practical insights.

📅 When? Tuesday, June 17 | 5 pm - 6 pm
💻 Where? Online via Zoom
💬 Why join? Because real stories and pro tips beat FAQs any day.

Whether you're polishing your pitch or just curious – don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and get inspired.

Our coaching approach: Start-up acceleration 2.0

We understand that start-ups need more than just guidance. We don't just support start-ups - we become their Chief Growth Officers for three intensive months.

Our experienced venture consultants work hands-on with founders to build traction, validate business models, and accelerate growth.

Start-ups need more than advice. They need strategic execution partners who push them forward and keep them focused. That’s why we’ve redefined acceleration, shifting from a passive (pull) model to a proactive (push) approach that delivers real results.

How we accelerate growth

High-engagement, high-growth – If a team is all-in, we match their energy with deep-dive coaching & accountability.
KPI-driven progression – We set clear milestones to keep the start-ups focused.
Embedded acceleration – We execute alongside founders, helping them scale with the right strategy, network, and funding approach - connecting them with the right partners
A perfect funnel – Systematic selection, structured coaching, and strong partnerships ensure that our ventures make it to the top.

Emphasizing cutting-edge technologies

We are keen to work with the best start-ups in the in the pre-seed and seed stage with a strong deep-tech focus. Specific technologies of interest see below. However, if you are working on a technology-based business that is not included in this list, don't hesitate to apply! We are looking forward to seeing creative and groundbreaking solutions in all technology fields.

Domain expertise and cross-field support

Aerospace

AgTech / FoodTech

AI / Quantum

BioTech / Clean Energy

FinTech

HealthTech

Legal Tech

Mobility

Robotics

Sustainability / Impact

UrbanTech

Not in there

You can still apply :)

Within our program, we provide start-ups with comprehensive support, equipping them with the essential tools, valuable insights, and the agility required to unlock their full potential. By fostering an environment that encourages innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking, we significantly enhance their chances of achieving early success. Moreover, our support goes beyond immediate milestones, focusing on building a solid foundation for long-term sustainability, growth, and continued impact in the market.

We provide support in collaboration with domain experts in different areas, such as:

Legal Tech in coperation with the Legal Tech Colab
Science Spin-offs in cooperation with TUM Venture Labs
Clean Tech supported by Vector Stiftung
Corporate Ventures

This deep dive is designed to help entrepreneurial scientists in their transition from lab to market. It is exclusively targeted at scientists across universities and research organizations willing to commercialize high-tech, complete their team and accelerate this process to take the leap towards entrepreneurship.

Our Clean Tech deep dive powered by Vector Stiftung aims at supporting entrepreneurial scientists whose start-up project addresses challenges in the environmental sector and enhances sustainability in any of our focus areas, e.g. in the domains of Construction/Built Environment, Clean Energy, Food and Agriculture or Materials.

With our Legal Tech deep dive we support start-ups that use cutting edge technology to revolutionize the legal profession together with the Legal Tech Colab.

With this deep dive we provide specialized support for teams within your company. The goal is to empower these teams to build and implement innovative solutions, fostering growth and forward-thinking development. By enhancing their skills and strategies, we help drive transformative ideas that create lasting value for your organization.

Any questions? We've got you covered!

If you have open questions or need more details, our FAQ section is packed with helpful answers to the most common questions. But if you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t worry - we're here to help! Reach out to us directly via contact@xpreneurs.io and we'll make sure you get the answers you need.

Or check out our Q&A video session with Venture Consultant Leo Martínez who answered all your questions concerning our incubation program. Plus, get insights from Lisa Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Qkera (Batch #15), as she shares a start-up’s perspective on the benefits of the XPRENEURS experience.

Founders’ insights. Discover what founders say about our program

We pride ourselves on fostering a close connection with our alumni start-ups, creating a vibrant community that extends beyond the program's duration. Our alumni remain engaged through networking events, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative projects, ensuring that they continue to benefit from shared experiences and insights.

Co-Founder & CPO

We are extremely grateful for the broad support and the opportunities from the UnternehmerTUM network. The XPRENEURS team has always been very proactive in helping the start-ups in their particular stages and the active exchange with mentors, companies, and other start-ups have facilitated great synergies.

Gyri Reiersen – Co-Founder of tanso // Batch #10

Co-Founder & COO

UnternehmerTUM was a valuable experience for us at Proxima Fusion. The XPRENEURS program has provided us with the necessary resources and connections at the right time, and helped us to accelerate our growth and success.

Dr. Lennart Bock – Co-Founder of Proxima Fusion // Batch #13

Co-Founder & CEO

XPRENEURS provided us with a strong network of entrepreneurs and mentors who played an essential role in building our company, often at crucial moments.

Veronika Wax – Founder, Demodesk // Batch #2

Co-Founder & CEO

The ecosystem helped TWAICE to become market-ready and develop a scalable business model and offered great guidance and network. Throughout the program at XPRENEURS we met successful startup founders and gained insights into legal, sales and business development topics required to build TWAICE.

Dr. Stephan Rohr – Co-Founder of TWAICE // Batch #2

High-profile investor network

Our extensive network of 250+ Venture Capital Partners, Family Offices and Corporate VCs plays a crucial role in pushing our start-ups forward. With over 60% of our start-ups securing funding, they have collectively raised more than €2,2 billion in venture capital.

World-class mentor network

We connect you with a network of 1300+ founders and industry experts dedicated to helping our start-ups thrive. Our mentors are accomplished entrepreneurs and industry experts who have built and scaled successful ventures themselves. Their hands-on experience, deep market insights, and extensive networks offer invaluable guidance and inspiration. Whether you're refining your business model, strategizing for growth, or tackling complex challenges, our mentors provide personalized support to empower your journey.

Katrin Mohr

Digital Interim Executive & Advisor, Business & Team Coach

Johannes Knubben

Head of Sustainability, HiPP

Dorothea Wenzel

Independent Board Member, former Executive (Fresenius)

Stephan Masyuta-Hesslich

Entrepreneur, Company Builder, SaaS Revenue Leader

Cornelia Kunze

Founder & Chief Advisor, i-sekai

Dr. Andreas Gocke

Managing Director & Senior Partner Boston Consulting Group

Founders backing founders: The XPRENEURS Founders Board

We believe that success is best when shared. That's why we’re inviting alumni founders to become part of our Founders Board and give back to the next generation of game-changers. This is how we foster a strong, interconnected ecosystem - where alumni give back, founders grow faster, and XPRENEURS continues to thrive.

WHAT'S IN FOR OUR START-UPS

Expert guidance - Seasoned founders as sparring partners for scaling, fundraising & market entry.
Next-level networking - Access to a powerful ecosystem of investors, corporates & industry leaders.
Trusted advisory - Hands-on mentoring & strategic insights to navigate the start-up journey.

WHAT'S IN FOR OUR ALUMNI

Shape the next generation - Inspire, advise & elevate high-potential start-ups.
Strengthen the ecosystem - Stay connected, expand networks & contribute to UnternehmerTUM’s impact.
Be an advocate - Represent XPRENEURS in the start-up community & beyond.

Meet the Founders Board of Batch #17

These outstanding founders operating as sparring partners, mentors, and strategic advisors for Batch #17. This is how we engage with alumni, strengthen UnternehmerTUM’s ecosystem, and create real impact for the next generation of founders.

Ready to inspire, mentor, and shape the future of entrepreneurship?

Reach out to us

Veronika Wax

Co-Founder of Demodesk

Anton Eder

Co-Founder of ParcelLab

Lisa Gradow

Co-Founder of Usercentrics and Fides

Jonas Girardet

Co-Founder of ProGlove

XPRENEURS Incubator
example curriculum

Week	Events	Curriculum
Week 1	Offsite & Kick-off	Calibration Sessions
Week 2	Stand-up Breakfast	Investor Readiness & Negotiation
Week 3	Poker Night	Business Modelling
Week 4		B2B Sales
Week 5		High-Performance Culture
Week 6	XCONNECT Mentors & Alumni	Pitch Training & Revision
Week 7	Stand-up Breakfast	Legal Topics for Fundraising
Week 8	Afterwork Dinner	IP Strategy
Week 9		Hiring & Team Building
Week 10
Week 11	XCONNECT Investors & Business Angels	Marketing & Branding Strategy
Week 12	Stand-up Breakfast	B2B Sales Strategies
Week 13	Business Angels Stammtisch	Product Development (Alumni Insights)
Week 14		Personal Development (Resilience for Founders)
Week 15	Demo Day
Week 16	Batch Closing

Timeline Batch #18

We are constantly striving to increase diversity in our teams

45%

international teams

39%

teams with female founders

This is how we support female founders

Women in Germany found start-ups less frequently and often get stuck in the first stages of founding. This is something we want to change. With the UnternehmerTUM Female Founders Office Hours initiative, we at XPRENEURS support female founders through these early stages:

With the help of high-quality feedback and
mentoring from top level experts in various areas.

We are supported in this mission by strong partners such as UVC, Women Start-up, and AUXXO who offer office hours alongside XPRENEURS. Are you a female founder and need support?

Book your session now

We encourage diversity

FAQ

How to apply

How do we apply to the XPRENEURS program?
Applications for Batch #18 are open. Apply now here.
How does the selection process work?
Only the most visionary, ambitious, and high-potential founders make it in. First, we check if your application fulfills the minimum selection criteria for the XPRENEURS program. Then we will rate the different aspects of your application (e.g. product/service, team, or business model). The best 40-45 start-ups will be invited to pitch in front of the team. Finally, we will select 20-30 start-ups to participate in our program.
What are the eligibility criteria for start-ups to participate in the XPRENEURS program?
We generally accept start-ups from a wide range of fields. As minimum criteria, we require that your business model is based on a technological innovation, and that you already have a committed founder team with at least one full-time founder (no single founder). You do not need to have an incorporated company yet, but with a strong intent to fund a company. The field of our interest is mostly in the B2B market but on occasion, we also take in teams in the B2C/B2G market if its a strong team.
What materials do we need for the application to XPRENEURS?
We ask you for some information on the basic cornerstones of your business (e.g. your team, product/service, business model, market). In addition, we also ask you to submit a short informal video introducing your team (max. 2 minutes). Please also upload your up-to-date pitch deck (max. 15 slides).
When will the application phase for XPRENEURS Batch #18 start?
The application phase for Batch #18 runs from June 4, 2025 until - July 7, 2025.
When will we know if our start-up is selected for XPRENEURS Batch #17?
Selection pitches will take place August 4-7, 2025. We will send out acceptance and rejection messages on August 8, 2025.

About the program

Is it possible to participate in the program part-time?
To really get all the benefits out of XPRENEURS, it’s required that all of your founder team members commit full-time to your start-up project during the 3-months period of the program. You should be willing and able to engage meaningfully with us in coaching, mentoring and workshop formats throughout the program duration. We know you’re busy building your start-up, so don’t worry - our program is intense, but customized to focus on what you need at the moment to be successful!
What are the benefits of the XPRENEURS program?
We work side by side with you to sharpen your business model, find your first customers, and connect you with leading investors. All backed by Europe’s #1 innovation hub UnternehermTUM - we’re here to accelerate your journey from idea to impact. Read more about the benefits of our program and learn what our alumni start-ups say here.
What topics and events does the XPRENEURS program cover?
See our example curriculum above.
What's the timeline for the XPRENEURS program?
The program duration is 3 months from Kickoff to our Ultimate Demo Day. The program starts twice per year, in March and in September.
Will our start-up get free office space?
Yes, all teams get access to free office space in the co-working area of the brand new Munich Urban Colab (or Garching if you prefer).
Will we get funding as part of the XPRENEURS Incubator program?
Many of our start-ups find an investor through our contacts and our Demo Day event. There is also the opportunity to get UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators Prototyping Grants in a total amount of €1,000 to €5,000 per grant. However, XPRENEURS does not give out grants or invest in start-ups.
When will the application phase for XPRENEURS Batch #18 start?
The application phase for Batch #18 runs from June 4, 2025 until - July 7, 2025.