GeneNovate | Call for Application 2025/2026 | APPLICATION DEADLINE: 09.11.2025
Got a startup idea? Curious about entrepreneurship? Then the GeneNovate program is the perfect place to start!
Objective
GeneNovate is the first nationwide entrepreneurship program in Germany, designed to empower innovators and entrepreneurs in the field of Gene and Cell Therapies (GCT), Biotech and Medicine. The program targets early-career scientists and physicians, such as advanced students, PhD candidates, and Postdocs, but it is also open to experienced researchers and medical professionals.
The GeneNovate program runs from December 2025 to June 2026 and includes a kick-off meeting in December, six theoretical input sessions (hybrid), six full-day workshops (onsite), team-based preparation and presentation of startup pitches and culminates in the Final Event in Munich.
A key strength of the program lies in its collaborative approach, connecting participants across all GeneNovate locations in Germany.
This comprehensive program is offered free of charge.
Locations hosting the GeneNovate Workshops:
- Berlin
- Heidelberg
- Munich
- Region EAST (Dresden, Leipzig)
- Region NORTH (Braunschweig, Göttingen, Hannover, …)
- Region NRW 1 (Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, …)
- Region NRW 2 (Bochum, Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen, …)
- Region RHINE-MAIN (Mainz, …)
- Region SOUTHWEST (Freiburg, Tübingen)
Apply now!
Registration for the remaining locations will open at a later date
Participate in Berlin: Submit your application here
Participate in Heidelberg: Submit your application here
Participate in Munich: Submit your application here
Participate in Region EAST (Dresden, Leipzig): Submit your application here
Participate in Region RHINE-MAIN (Mainz, …): Submit your application here
Program Framework
Kick-off Meeting | December 2025
- Participants will form teams and will be matched with mentors
- Networking opportunity
- Duration approx. 4 hours
- Onsite participation at your selected location
Theoretical Input Sessions | January 2026 to June 2026
- 6 theory sessions, held once per month, each lasting 4 hours
- Onsite participation in Freiburg and Cologne, live stream for all other locations
Workshops | January 2026 to June 2026
- Participants work in group exercises on the practical application of insights from the theoretical input sessions
- Training from experts and experiences startups
- 6 interactive sessions, held once per month, each lasting 6–8 hours
- Onsite participation at your selected location
Coaching Sessions with Mentors | January 2026 to June 2026
- Teams meet their mentor for about 1 hour after each workshop (in person or virtual) to prepare and rehearse the pitch for their startup
- Approx. 8 hours in total
Pre-selection of teams for the Final Event | June 2026
- Every team pitches their startup in front of a selection committee
- Teams with the strongest pitches are selected to present at the Final Event in Munich
Final Event 2026 in Munich | June 2026
- All participants, alumni, experts and mentors from all GeneNovate locations come together for networking, including the possibility to approach investors
- Selected teams pitch their startup in front of investors
- Panel discussions of experts and investors in the field
- 1 full day in Munich
