Battery Startup Incubator
The Battery Startup Incubator (BaStI) enables visionary battery researchers and founders transform groundbreaking ideas into real-world impact.
Fully financed by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), and supported by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), TUM Venture Labs, and TUMint.Energy, BaStI gives aspiring founders access to Germany’s leading battery infrastructure, expertise, and entrepreneurial networks.
BaStI supports sciencepreneurs, researchers and early-stage startups across Germany to transfer cutting-edge research into value, with a strong focus to support in scientific evaluation, prototyping and infrastructure access, entrepreneurship education, incorporation in the battery ecosystem, and fundraising preparation.
Our Offerings
Startups gain access to cutting-edge labs and research facilities, industry mentorship, entrepreneurship education, patent guidance, and funding/grant opportunities.
With this comprehensive ecosystem, our incubator empowers entrepreneurs to accelerate their journey from lab to market and shape the next generation of sustainable battery solutions.
We support founders in all battery application fields, such as charging and infrastructure, stationary energy storage, e-mobility, consumer electronics and power tools.
We support technologies across the entire battery value chain, covering but not limited to raw material extraction, materials processing, cell production, equipment and assembly, module integration, battery management, testing, safety and logistics, circularity, AI and services.
- Access to chemistry labs and prototyping facilities in collaboration with the Venture Labs Chem/Biosystems (support on request)
- Mentorship from leading researchers and industry experts
- IP and patent strategy support for deep-tech startups in cooperation with Unternehmertum
- Founder-focused entrepreneurial education including workshops and courses tailored for deep-tech founders
- Events and representation in major conferences with strong media visibility
- Fundraising support via warm introductions to VCs and application support for grants
The Battery Venture Course is a project-based program for early-stage researchers and advanced master’s and PhD students who want to translate cutting-edge battery technologies into market-ready companies. Working in multidisciplinary teams, participants develop commercialization pathways across the battery value chain. They will be supported by the expertise and network of TUM Venture Labs and the Battery Startup Incubator (BaStI).
Inspired by the proven Climate Ventures model originally developed at Stanford and MIT, which has launched 110+ startups globally. The course adapts this framework specifically to battery innovation, enabling technologies to move from lab to scalable impact.
Our startups
Explore a selection of our early-stage, pre-incubated startups that we are proud to support.
Our broader battery ecosystem also includes startups from the German entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as mature teams incubated by the TUM Venture Labs
FAQs
The Battery Startup Incubator is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and serves the battery ecosystem across Germany. We work hand-in hand with the TUM Venture Labs ChemSPACE and Climate/Circular. The ChemSPACE also supports our startup teams with infrastructure and lab access.
No, we focus on empowering battery startups across Germany, and currently support startups based out of 7 German cities. You only need to be based in Munich if you require access to the ChemSPACE lab facilities, but we support access to infrastructure all over Germany.
There is no participation fee as we are a non-profit project fully funded by the BMFTR. Our support is non-exclusive, and we are happy to collaborate alongside any other partners who are helping you develop your idea. Depending on the stage and nature of your startup, you may need to cover certain costs independently, such as:
- Rent for lab or office space (if applicable)
- Investment in specialized or niche equipment needed for your research and development
No. Since BaStI is a non-profit initiative, we do not take equity or derive financial gain from the success of participating startups. That said, if you are affiliated with a university or a specific research chair, there may be cases where the university co-owns your intellectual property (IP). These situations are highly case-specific and depend on your institutional agreements.
No. While participants typically gain the most value from the incubator when they already have a startup idea or an existing venture, we also welcome applications from individuals who are interested in staying connected with the battery innovation and startup ecosystem.
If accepted, you may be invited to relevant events, workshops, and courses based on your interests and background.
Click on the "Apply now" link at the bottom of the page or go to the application page of the TUM Venture Labs. In the first field, make sure to select TUM Venture Labs Chem/Biosystems, then fill in the required details, upload your pitch deck, and submit your application. We look forward to receiving it!
Join our Battery Startup Incubator and get tailored support, funding opportunities, mentorship, and access to world-class labs.
Secure your spot in the TUM Venture Labs ecosystem today.
