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Short facts

Target group

Founders with an innovative idea in the pre-founding phase and/or interested in the exist startup grant. 

Regardless of academic background or professional situation, internationals are also welcome (English program offerings)!

Duration and cycle

Summer batch (March - July) and winter batch (September - January).

Highlight for selected female founders in the summer batch: 
Additional offer during the SCE Incubation → exist Women funding

Prerequisites

📜 You have already completed an initial idea validation (B2B startups with at least 3 and B2C startups with 30 potential customers in exchange)

📜 Your startup is more than just an idea or concept, and you are in the process of building a demonstrator for the proof-of-concept or prototype/MVP for the pilot phase of market entry

📜 You can be on site in Munich during the program phase for events (at least one team member) and invest at least 10 hours per week (independent work + event participation) in your startup

Application

🎯 Step 1: Online application – questionnaire + file upload of pitch deck & application video (see template in the downloads section) 

🎯 Step 2 (selected applicants only): Online interview 

More details below in the FAQs!

Costs

Thanks to the Zeidler Research Foundation, which supports SCE Incubation, the program and the numerous services worth over €30,000 can be offered free of charge. 
 

Apply now for the SCE Incubation. We look forward to you and your startup!

Deadline: 15. August 2026
 

Apply now!

Want to get your startup off the ground?

Then the SCE Incubation program at the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship at Munich University of Applied Sciences is just right for you!
You have a startup with an innovative business idea, regardless of the industry.

You haven’t officially launched your company yet and/or are interested in public funding such as the exist Startup Grant?

What matters is your motivation, your dedication, and your vision—whether you’re working alone or as part of a team, whether you’re a student or working full-time.
Validate, develop, and grow your startup with us!
Our mission is to take you and your idea to the next level. You decide what that level is.

What Sets Us Apart

Startups are built with the right people and always out in the market.

 

We live by the “Founders First” philosophy and support you on your journey, even if we sometimes disagree. But we also challenge you with different perspectives or fresh ideas.

We fully rely on peer-to-peer support within the program, because you’re all on the same journey, have the same questions, and the answers can very often be found among yourselves.

Community

Community is at the heart of what we do. We rely on peer power and engaging formats.

 

Pitch Practice

You’ll pitch to your batchmates. They’ll give you honest, constructive feedback. Here’s a little spoiler: Our elevator pitch takes place in the elevator—38 seconds up, 38 seconds down. Afterward, you’ll know if your message landed.

Startup Collective

A building where our EXIST-funded startups work. It features flex desk spaces for you and a café where you can chat with other startups. When you’re there, great things can happen.

HM Student

You have the opportunity to enroll in the HM Startup Certificate program.

 

Community Coaching

Every two weeks, each team brings its challenges to the table. Four questions: What went well? What didn’t go well? What was a pleasant surprise? What caught us off guard? You share your experiences and get feedback on your top three topics from the other teams.

Startup League

Through OpenHubs, a European platform for start-ups and incubators, you’re part of the Startup League. All past cohorts, one network. If you’ve got a question, someone there is very likely to have an answer.

How to Apply

Step 1: Your Application Video

Two minutes. All team members in the shot. You’ll show who you are—and why you’re the right team for this problem. No production studio needed. But five things must be included:

  • Who are you? Your founding story.
  • What problem are you solving—and for whom, exactly?
  • What have you already validated?
  • What are your top 5 risks—and how are you addressing them?
  • What do you hope to achieve during the incubation program?

Step 2: Online Form + Pitch Deck

Fill out the form and upload your pitch deck at the end.

Step 3: Interview

Selected teams will be invited to an in-person interview.

Deadline: August 2, 2026

SCE Incubation – How to Create Your Application Video

In this video, you'll learn what content to include in your application video for the SCE Incubation program. It explains which questions you should answer and what you need to keep in mind while creating the video to ensure your application is complete.

Downloads

Downloads Application Document Pitch Deck (Template)pdf
Links Online Application Start-up League

Testimonials

Here's what our Start-up Certificate alumni have to say about the Accelerator.

The special feature of the SCE and HM is the individually tailored support of the start-up teams. Our start-up advisor and business mentor have shown a very high level of commitment over the entire period of the Start-up Certificate. They always went the extra mile with us for the finishing touches. You can tell that working with start-up teams is not just their job, they put their heart and soul into it. A big thank you for the great support - also to all other supporters from the SCE & HM network!

Das SCE bot uns einen tollen Nährboden für die ersten Schritte unserer Unternehmung. Insbesondere hervorzuheben ist der unglaublich große Erfahrungsschatz bei der Beantragung des EXIST-Stipendiums.

Während dem Start-up Zertifikat konnten wir wichtige Kontakte knüpfen, bekamen Hilfe bei der Bewerbung auf das EXIST-Gründerstipendium und entwickelten uns durch die lehrreichen Workshops und das individuelle Coaching auch persönlich weiter. Du suchst kompetente Gründungsberatung, Zugang zu Infrastruktur und Expert:innen, oder einfach nur nach der notwendigen Motivationsspritze? Dann bist du hier genau richtig!

The SCE Start-up Certificate accelerator is the best enviroment for young teans to develop great business ideas. Apart from the coaching you have great access to the SCE network.

Partner

FAQs

What are the details of the application process and what dates should I mark in my calendar?

🎯 In the 1st step you submit

  • your online application via the form link (German/English): Short questionnaire about the startup + file upload of pitch deck (see template in the download area) and CVs of the founders. Note for teams: All team members fill out the form (incl. upload of CV) and one person takes over the upload of the pitch deck as team representative.

🎯 Selected applicants take part in the 2nd step:

  • in an online interview in case of queries and/or
  • in the Customer Discovery Challenge: workshop (on site at SCE, all day) and pitch (max. 10-minute online meeting, individual appointment via booking link)

🎯 After acceptance: Further instructions regarding the optional offers

📅 Program start: Joint kick-off on-site at the SCE

How will my application be handled and who will have access to it?

The information and documents submitted on the startup project or startup will be treated confidentially and will not be passed on to third parties.

Will HM or SCE receive shares in my company?

The SCE does not receive any shares in the company (in the process of being founded) or companies in compensation.

Do I have to be in Munich to participate in SCE Incubation?

For the mandatory events, yes, but not necessarily as a complete team. SCE Incubation is an on-site program in Munich, and the mandatory events offered to participants take place exclusively (no hybrid setting) in person at SCE - scheduled for late afternoon / evening (often starting at 5:00 PM). These include the two-week group coaching sessions, pitch trainings á 2h, and the mid-term/final event. In addition, there are further optional workshops (online and on-site) and 1:1 coaching sessions as needed (also available online). Participants are offered a wide range of startup-related content. The prerequisite for admission is that at least one team member per startup can attend the mandatory events and pass on what they have learned. Of course, the effect of the incubation is greatest when all team members can participate in the program content on-site, and we would be delighted to work with the entire team.

How much time do I need to commit?

Participants must be able to invest at least 10 hours per week in their startup: working on the startup themselves (can also be done on weekends) and participating in events (only during the week). During the incubation phase, there are approximately two 2-hour events per week (scheduled for late afternoon/evening, often starting at 5:00 PM). It is also sufficient if at least one team member can attend the mandatory events. The other events are optional, but still highly recommended. 

Do I already have to have a final branding (incl. startup name, logo, website) as well as registered domain and brand names or patents at the time of application?

No. It is definitely a “nice-to-have”, but not a requirement for participating in the SCE Incubation. You can change your branding as often as necessary. Present or apply with your current branding.

What are the admission requirements for the Startup Certificate at HM?

Admission requirements for the Startup Certificate offered by HM are a university entrance qualification and completion of the multi-stage selection process for SCE Incubation. Founders who are accepted can also obtain an official university certificate by participating. Once accepted into the incubation program, the steps required for enrollment will be communicated and interested parties can take advantage of this offer.

Are there any costs associated with participating in the program?

The program is funded by the Zeidler Research Foundation, which means that participation in the program is free of charge. Certificate students only have to pay the usual semester fee for two semesters. If they are already studying at a Munich university, they do not have to pay twice. The current amounts per semester can be found here. 

Contact

Saskia Schmidl SCE Startup Support

T: 089 1265 3239

Linkedin saskia.schmidl@sce.de

Saskia Schmidl joined the team at the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship in summer 2017. As part of the SCE Startup Support, she advises founders and supports our teams of the start-up-league in the incubator.

Saskia received her degree as a graduate in Social Sciences from the University of Göttingen (focus on business administration, economic and social psychology, civilian media law and sociology).

She has come to know the founding scene from various perspectives and gained valuable experience: as part of start-ups, on the investor‘s side of a venture capital company or in a supraregional third party project to promote and support start-ups of scientists from non-university research institutions (Max Planck Society and Helmholtz Association).