Startup your future!
H_Ventures is a startup-readiness program for the next generation of founders - with or without a business idea.Over 9 weeks, learn what it takes to build a startup and be successful.
Yes, you can build a startup.
H_Ventures is a 9-week free startup-readiness program that gives future founders the knowledge and the connections to build a viable team and start data-driven businesses.Sponsored by the Hessen Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transportation and Housing and powered by Goethe University Frankfurt and TechQuartier, this program was created to empower professionals and students with diverse backgrounds to launch a business in the data economy.Up to 25 ventures will be accepted to the program.
Live workshops & events will take place in the evening in TechQuartier's innovation hub.
24 Network Partners
25+ Mentors
200+ Applications
120+ Participants
37 Teams Formed
14 Startups Launched / Supported
"H_Ventures offers a unique blend of founder matching with a fantastic hyperfocus on what really matters for your specific idea. It gave me the motivation to focus on innovation and my clients all while working with simply amazing people.”
Who should apply?
Founders!Whether you're an industry expert looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a passionate individual yearning for a groundbreaking startup journey, the program represents your platform to bring data-driven business visions to life in Hessen.H_Ventures serves as the ideal launchpad for prospective founders and entrepreneurs to learn the nuts and bolts of building a successful business. Prior startup experience isn't a prerequisite. Just a strong desire to help build a business that uses data technology.
How does this work?
Key Dates
Application Deadline: 13 August
Interviews: 28-29 August - virtual
Program Start Day: 13 September - Live in Frankfurt
Demo Day: 04 December - Live in Frankfurt
H_Ventures Edition 3 starts in September 2023
Virtually & In-Person
1.
13 Sept - 01 Oct
Team Formation
Validate your business idea & build your team– virtually & in-person
Get a crash course in building a solid team and find your new co-founders & co-creators with the help of HR experts and serial entrepreneurs.The Team Formation Phase includes virtual evening sessions and three in-person events in Frankfurt, team building exercises, instructions on working in Agile teams and matching events.
2.
06 - 20 Oct
Bootcamp
Meet founders, mentors, and coaches across Hessen– in-person
The one-week Bootcamp is an intense, hands-on learning experience in-person at TechQuartier. You will join us for a whole week with full days of the program.The program gives you the opportunity to work with experienced serial entrepreneurs and experts who are using AI, machine learning and big data. Moreover, you will learn what it takes to start and grow a successful business and get the chance to pitch your idea to a jury of experts
3.
31 Oct - 04 Dec
Incubation
Be mentored & coached by experts in their fields– virtually & in-person
After the Bootcamp, you'll have the opportunity to participate in the four-week validation and incubation period.This is where you'll put everything you've learned into practice and work on developing your business further.In addition, you will have access to networking opportunities, online educational sessions and connections with investors.
I have an idea for a startup.
Glad you’re here. We are looking for the next generation of founders who have already developed an idea and want to build a data-driven startup.This program will help you build and grow your team, refine your product vision, grow your network and develop your business model.
I want to join a team.
We have the perfect opportunity for you to join a team, become a co-founder or co-creator and learn hands-on what it takes to launch a data-driven business.Teams need people from all backgrounds, with professional experience and industry expertise, who are creative, tech-savvy and excited to work together.
“H_Ventures is an amazing program for anyone who wants to validate an idea, make progress, or join a team. In one week, we learned more about business than I had learned over the last year. It is not always easy, but perfect for anyone who wants honest feedback and tips from real experts.”
Yannik Freund
participant in 2022
What you get with H_Ventures
Find or join your team
Accelerate your idea in 90 days
Get free training, network access & mentoring from experts
Meet other founders and entrepreneurs in Hessen
Connect with investors
Learn about fundraising, business modeling and product readiness
Tackle HR and legal considerations
Explore the potential of AI in many sectors
Pitching experience during Demo Days
Help to form and complete your team.
Guidance for launching your startup.
Help to develop a data-driven business model.
Exclusive resources from business experts.
What we expect from you
100% commitment towards the program
Ambition & growth mindset
Willingness to learn and execute fast
Strong and reliable team player
Be respectful and friendly towards your team members and embrace diversity
Actively seek and cultivate relationships with the entrepreneurial community
Participate in all surveys by Goethe University Frankfurt
Highlighting Our Previous Startup Participants
Mobile game for the prevention of back pain - Edition 1
Data Spaces are collaborative ecosystems where companies or an entire industry can come together to exchange data with absolute sovereignty, thus creating a new landscape for data monetization. Edition 1
This SaaS autonomously interfaces between intelligent energy management and classical hardware control (battery, CHP, heat pumps, ...) for significant energy savings. - Edition 2
B2B matchmaking platform connecting cosmetic formulators with raw materials. - Edition 2
World with Kids" is an AI-powered web & App platform that helps families with children by finding personalized leisure activities, events and locations based on their prior activities and preferences and helps companies to target families to attract more customers. - Edition 2
This energy management startup with a mission to help private households optimize their energy usage without requiring expensive equipment. - Edition 2
Scientific analysis of qualitative user research. Powered by AI. Edition 2
Unite people to buy, e-improve, rent and sell built real estate - Edition 2
The most important news. Simple. Short. Up-to-date. - Edition 1
With the help of AI tools such as Natural Language Processing the Phonteziser Engine will link emotions to spoken language and create a next-level movie-watching experience. - Edition 2
This platform connects employers looking for skilled classical musicians for short-term positions in orchestras and choirs. - Edition 2
The search and comparison platform for subscriptions. - Edition 2
SubTract is a content platform for discovering, reading and sharing newsletters. - Edition 1
Your platform for ecological, fair and thus sustainable consumption. - Edition 2
The intelligent exam preparation - by students, for students! - Edition 1
Learn from the participants of the past edition
Meet our Speakers and Board of Innovation
Our Board of Innovation is made up of program jury members and mentors who will host input sessions to challenge and support the development of your venture ideas.
Alejandro Paschalides, Deputy CFO, Cocomore AG
Alexander Grau, Startup Program Lead DACH, OVHcloud
Bastian Willers, Growth Lead & Hacking Consultant, Unlock Growth
Dr. Gesine von der Groeben, Partner, Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG
Dr. Sebastian Schäfer, Managing Director & Co-Founder, TechQuartier
Dr. Arndt Schwaiger, Advisor & Business Angel
Dr. Joerg von Hagen, Geschäftsführer ryon
Dr. Kevin Bauer, Junior Professor, University of Mannheim
Dr. Mark Redshaw, Investment Director, Evonik Venture Capital
Emily J. Ryan, Head of Customer Engineering, Google
Dr. Michael Chromik, Tech Lead, DB Netz AG
Fabian Müller, COO statworx
Florian Faller, Communications Manager & Venture Scout, Futury
Friedhelm A. Schmitt, Founder & Co-CEO Fincite
Gemma Ferst, Senior Specialist, Digitalisation and Process Management, Europe, Mediterranean, Central Asia Department, GIZ GmbH (Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit)
Ingo Franz, Founder and Managing Partner, Vectorpilot
Katharina Beck, Startup Success Manager Germany, Google Cloud
Kristian Schneider, Methods & Innovation Coach, R+V Versicherung
Lea Vajnorsky, Consultant-Executive, Russell Reynolds Associates
Levente Szabados, Senior AI Consultant, Co-Founder Neuron Solutions
Manuel Söldenwagner, Patent Attorney & Partner at Eisenfuhr Speiser
Marc Schlegel, Founder, Startup Schlau
Mario Grunau, Growth Marketing Consultant, Unlock Growth
Max von Vopelius, Patent Attorney, Eisenfuhr Speiser
Ottó Werschitz, Co-Founder & CMO, Neuron Solutions
Rolf Pfeiffer, Managing Partner, Bernotat & Cie. GmbH
Sarah Gronwald, Ecosystem Manager, TechQuartier
Sebastian Heinz, Founder & CEO statworx
Thomas Funke, Co-Founder & CEO, Tomorrow University
Thorsten Lambertus, Managing Director DEEP
Tobias Kehl, Project Lead, AI Startup Rising
Tom Debus, Co-Founder, Ferris Labs AG & Integration Alpha
Thomas Gilles, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Founding Partners
"Too many promising venture ideas fail because either the right founding team is missing, or the team is dysfunctional and lacks the necessary skills and experience. With H_Ventures we build on our years of matching experience and take the team formation process to a new level. “
Dr. Sebastian Schäfer
Co-Founder and Managing Director of TechQuartier
Network Partners
Cristian Frigo,
H_Ventures Project Lead, TechQuartier
Sebastian Schäfer
Managing Director, TechQuartier
Alise Munson
Director - Marketing & Communications
Thom Schoneveld
Innovation Products, TechQuartier