innovate! call
Participation Guidelines

1. General Understanding

Our mission is to unfold the sustainability potential of green chemistry innovations. That is why our main job at the innovate! call is to help you – the Inno-Talents – build successful, impactful green chemistry businesses. You invest the most valuable resource you have: your time and energy. We are at your side supporting this exciting yet demanding journey with everything we have – free of charge and free of equity. We are 100% philanthropic supporters.

2. Innovation hypothesis

Bringing green chemistry innovation to life requires many things. Besides our support – technical infrastructure, entrepreneurial community, validation program, among others – we are awarding up to 10 stipends to Inno-Talents as well as a certain budget to the teams formed through our first call.

To meet the scale of the sustainability challenge, we need a surge of new talent and innovations. For this reason, we’re looking for more – more entrepreneurs, more inventions, more teams ready to build. So, our program offers three distinct tracks for boosting green chemistry innovations: 

  • Track A: Entrepreneurs without Patent – For individuals looking to build a science-based spinout in chemistry, yet are lacking IP-protected technology

  • Track B: Patent Holders – For researchers with promising, but unused IP-protected technologies in chemistry looking to entrust them to entrepreneurs

  • Track C: Entrepreneurs with Patent – For teams and individuals looking to build a spinout around their own IP-protected technologies in chemistry

We envision strong interplay between the three tracks: Entrepreneurs, Inventors, and Ready-Made-Teams are encouraged to come together. We will be by your side throughout to ensure collaboration in a fair and transparent fashion with one goal: unleash the full potential of green chemistry innovation.

3. Learning and program evolution

This is our inaugural program. Hence, we are pioneering this model together with you. We are committed to learning, adapting, and providing unwavering support to green chemistry entrepreneurs at every step.

4. Our values

Our actions and decisions are guided by the following core values:

Purpose
We are united by the purpose of creating a livable planet.
The technologies we support contribute to building sustainable ecosystems.

Diversity
We embrace diversity in all its forms.
Diversity is a source of inspiration, creativity, and innovation.

Support
We support each other to the best of our abilities.
Founders help founders.

Appreciation
We communicate with respect and appreciation.
“From good to great” is our guiding mindset, no matter the circumstance. 

Courage
We see failure as one of the fastest ways to learn, improve, and grow.
We speak up, especially in difficult moments.

5. Conditions for participation

To ensure clarity and a smooth journey for everyone, please review the main conditions we anticipate for participation below.

5.1. Ownership

What is yours stays yours

We are neutral helpers and will not become owners. You keep full control of what you have created and what you will create. This applies to both already existing IP (Background IP) as well as newly developed IP (Foreground IP).

 

5.2. Collaboration

Transparency and fairness are key

As a neutral partner, we help you articulate your expectations to each other transparently, forming the basis for fair IP agreements and collaboration frameworks. We will never become a party to such agreements – they remain solely between participants regardless of their Track.

 

5.3. Confidentiality

Your idea is safe with us

We keep all submissions secret to protect everyone’s interests. If your idea, however, hasn’t been patented yet, please consider consulting with intellectual property professionals before submission to know what you can and cannot share. We do not need to know the “secret sauce”, the protection of your IP has the first priority.

 

5.4. Honesty

A foundation of trust ensuring fairness for all

Be truthful in your application. For Tracks B and C, confirm you are an inventor of the IP you're submitting. False or misleading information will disqualify your application.

 

5.5. Stipend

Empowering you to unleash your innovative business

We fund Inno-Talents with a stipend. These stipends are scholarships, not salaries. This means all inventions you create along the way belong solely to you and your team.

The value of the stipend varies according to each Inno-Talent’s qualification and family situation:

  • Inno-Talents with Master’s degree: € 2,500 per month

  • Inno-Talents with PhD degree: € 3,000 per month

  • Inno-Talents receive a supplement of €150 per month for each dependent child.

In Tack A, individuals are funded that may form teams of up to 3 persons.

In Track B, inventors are not eligible to receive scholarships.

In Track C, teams between one and a maximum of three persons are funded. Hence, a team may be bigger, but funding and participation in the program is limited to a maximum of 3 persons per team. 

With regard to the start of the funding we distinguish between the Tracks: 

In Track A, selected participants will start receiving scholarships after the first, foundational month in case they are able to form a team around IP from Track B or join a team from Track C. The initial duration is five months and is extendable for another six months to a total of up to 11 months. 

Inno-Talents from Track C will receive scholarships from Day 1 for six months, extendable for another six (a total of up to 12 months).

 

5.6. Budget

You choose how to allocate resources

All selected teams will receive a budget of up to € 40,000 for materials and investment expenses. In addition, all teams will receive a budget of 30 hours, that can be used for mentors, which are accredited in the program. Upon request, we may approve additional support on a case-by-case basis.

 

5.7. Expert Support

Dedicated scientific advisor for your team

All teams will be matched with an Inno-Director – a scientific advisor of their choosing from one of the Berlin University Alliance partners – who will support them throughout the program. At the time of application, teams need to indicate their preferred candidates for this role. During the first month, teams must then confirm their chosen Inno-Director and agree on how to work together – we’ll be there to help make this happen. If a team has not secured an Inno-Director by the end of the first month, they may face disqualification and withdrawal of program funding.

 

5.8. Your Commitment

Rapid progress through intensive engagement

If selected, Inno-Talents (Track A and Track C) must be able to dedicate themselves fully for six months (extendable for another six) on site in Berlin. For Track B, patent holders should be available for team questions and for establishing a collaboration framework in the first month either online or on site.

 

5.9. Our Expectations

Conditions for continued funding

As we are donating philanthropic funds, we may withdraw funding from Inno-Talents for reasons including, but not limited to, a lack of commitment, insufficient progress, poor performance, lack of an Inno-Director, or conduct that is not aligned with our values and these Participation Guidelines.

 

5.10. Impact & Visibility

Do good, share the story

We will promote the program and your journey – safeguarding your IP – and expect your openness to participate in promotional activities.

 

5.11. Selection & Program Viability

Admission is competitive and not guaranteed

Applying does not guarantee acceptance. We reserve the right to postpone the program or leave spots unfilled if we do not find the right fit.

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