JUNI Team-Up Challenge
Ideate, match with co-founders and form an investable founding team.
Program details
Why join?
Great technology is only half the battle. Most deeptech projects stall not because the science fails, but because they lack the “founder stack”: a balanced team, a validated market entry and the narrative required for high-stakes funding.
The JUNI Team-Up Challenge bridges the gap:
- The talent gap: We dissolve the “silo” between the lab and the market by matching PhDs and researchers with battle-hardened operators and ambitious builders.
- The validation gap: We move you past “lab perfection” toward radical MVP validation through expert feedback loops and direct customer discovery.
- The funding gap: We de-risk your venture from day one, aligning your milestones with the specific requirements of Germany’s EXIST startup grant and future VC expectations.
Program details
Key facts
This years Summer Batch will focus on four fields where Berlin-Brandenburg already has strong research, talent and startup potential: Life Sciences, Health, Greentech & Artificial Intelligence.
- Duration: 6 weeks (part-time)
- Time commitment: ~5–10 hours / week
- Format: Hybrid / remote-first (optional Berlin days)
- Cohort size: ~30 founders per cohort
Program details
The 6 weeks in a nutshell.
Berlin-backed research meets entrepreneurial drive. We bring together scientists, builders and operators to build strong founding teams. Led by experienced venture builders, you receive hands-on guidance to discover a fundable business idea and find complementary co-founders. In addition, successful teams get support in preparing a competitive application for an EXIST grant via entrepreneurship centers.
Week 1-2
Talent matching, team formation & discovery
- Structured matchmaking and test team compositions.
- Discovery of multiple opportunity spaces.
- Initial co-founder pairing and team fit sessions.
Week 3
Research & framing of opportunity space
- Narrow problem and solution space.
- Define ICP and core hypotheses.
- Expert feedback loops.
Week 4-5
Customer, market & business research
- Expert and customer interviews.
- Business model and IP feasibility check.
- First validation of product-market fit.
Team-Up profiles & selection
Eligibility & selection
We are looking for researchers with solutions-driven projects, experienced builders looking to drive growth in a new venture and subject matter experts bringing industry experience and network. We match across disciplines to spark better ideas and teams:
The scientist: Researchers (PhDs or Postdocs) who bring a breakthrough technology or protected IP as an “unfair advantage” and are looking for a partner to commercialize it.
The subject matter expert: Industry experts (Life Sciences, Greentech, AI and Health) or medical professionals who understand the market inside out, identify real-world problems and provide a network for market access.
The builder: Execution-oriented talents from business, tech or product backgrounds (students or experienced operators) who can build MVPs and drive growth.
Applications are open
Ready to take the plunge?
We accept submissions on a rolling basis. The next cohort starts in July 2026.
FAQs
What is the JUNI Team-Up Challenge?
It is a 6-week, part-time program designed to bridge the gap between breakthrough research and market-ready startups. We help scientists, industry experts and builders find the right co-founders, validate business ideas and prepare for high-stakes funding like the EXIST grant.
What kind of profiles are you looking for?
We seek three main “archetypes” to form balanced founding teams:
- The scientist / IP lead: Researchers (PhDs/Postdocs) with breakthrough technology or protected IP.
- The subject matter expert: Professionals with deep industry or medical knowledge and strong market networks, according to our defined focus areas.
- The builder: Ambitious talents (students or operators) with a focus on business, product or tech execution.
Which industries or technology areas does the program focus on?
The JUNI Team-up Challenge focuses on deeptech innovations in four strategic sectors where scientific breakthroughs meet massive market opportunities:
- Life Sciences & Health: We look for solutions in drug discovery, diagnostics and MedTech. Our goal is to improve patient care and make healthcare processes more efficient through technological innovation.
- Greentech & Sustainability: We support technologies that drive the transition to a sustainable economy – from new energy solutions and circular economy to climate-friendly industrial processes.
- Artificial Intelligence & Data Science: We focus on specialized AI applications that solve complex problems, whether in supply chain optimization, automated data analysis, or the development of autonomous systems.
- Industrial Tech & Robotics: We seek hardware and software innovations that automate industry, make manufacturing more precise or redefine the collaboration between humans and machines.
Do I need a concrete business idea to apply?
No. You can apply with a breakthrough technology, a specific market problem you want to solve or simply as a “builder” looking to join a high-potential team. The program is specifically designed to help you discover and frame the right opportunity space.
What is the time commitment?
The program is “remote-first” and hybrid, requiring approximately 5–10 hours per week. This allows you to participate alongside your research or current job. It includes weekly peer sessions and three individual coaching touchpoints.
How does the application and selection process work?
Our process is founder-friendly and moves quickly through four steps:
- Application: Submit a short form (with or without an idea). We review applications on a rolling basis.
- Interview: A casual video call to discuss your motivation, founder “spike,” and collaboration style.
- Builder task: A short case exercise to see how you think and execute in practice.
- Decision: You will receive a fast response and, if accepted, immediate access to our community platform.
What happens after the 6 weeks?
The goal is to exit the program with an investable founding team and a validated roadmap. Successful teams will receive support in applying for the EXIST grant to secure up to 12 months of non-dilutive funding.
Your Programs & Ventures contact
Let’s shape your journey together.
JUNI programs are built to support you from talent discovery to venture scaling. As our main contact for program design, Corinna ensures our formats create real value. Whether you want to join a cohort or explore a new collaboration – reach out to Corinna to get started on your journey with us.
