TUM Climate Ventures
About
Solving global climate challenges requires the creation and successful scale-up of hundreds of new ventures.
TUM Climate Ventures is a project-based course that brings together the best and brightest climate-focused students across disciplines to practice the development of climate-tech ventures.
The course has a long-standing history in the climate and energy community since its introduction at MIT and Stanford; being a launchpad for over 90+ startups. Many have gone on to raise venture capital funding and scale their venture after the class.
| Target Group: | Master students and doctoral candidates in the following areas: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business, Policy |
|---|---|
| ECTS: | 6 |
| Area of Focus: | Entrepreneurship in Climate Tech |
| Date and time: | WiSe 24/25 | 15.10.24 - 11.02.25 | 5 - 7 PM |
| Language: | English |
| Learning goals: | Learn through world-class founders' and experts' experiences to build your climate venture. |
| Prerequisites: | Second semester MSc. and above; work experience preferred. Availability to attend in presence all lectures. |
| Location: | TUM Main Campus, Arcisstraße 21, 80333 München |
About the program
TUM Climate Ventures is an advanced entrepreneurship course that goes beyond theory and aims to put ideas into practice. It is designed for enthusiastic CleanTech students and scientists to explore, identify, and analyze the commercial potential of emerging, breakthrough technologies developed at TUM.
Students and scientists can apply either with or without a technology project. The selected students will form teams during the first weeks of the class and explore further steps to turn the technology into a commercially viable product.
Throughout the semester, they will participate in lectures given by the teaching team, experienced founders and experts in the climate space. Teams will be supported by mentors, who will help them to translate breakthrough technologies into the first version of a startup. At the end of the course, the teams will pitch their concept in front of a jury of venture capitalists and CleanTech founders.
What can be expected from this course?
- Learn how to identify, assess, analyze, design, build, and launch climate-tech ventures
- Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world climate challenges
- Build a strong climate-tech network and community, providing opportunities for collaboration and support
- Work on creating new companies addressing high-impact climate problems, from ideation to market entry
- Explore breakthrough technologies and their potential applications in solving global climate issues
- Understand the fundamentals of economic and technical evaluations specific to the climate-tech industry
- Learn the importance of understanding and addressing customer needs to develop climate solutions
- Navigate the regulatory and market landscapes influencing climate-tech ventures
FAQs
TUM Climate Ventures is an interdisciplinary course designed for students looking to start a climate-tech venture and build a strong professional network.
The program is ideal for advanced master students and doctoral candidates in engineering and natural sciences; ideally with ideas of climate-tech applications.
We are also looking for business and policy students with advanced entrepreneurial or climate policy knowledge from courses, practical experience, or programs like Manage&More or CDTM.
You will be part of weekly world-class lectures with successful climate founders and build your climate venture with the mentorship of experts.
In your team, you will be working on the development of your venture, conducting interviews, and preparing for the final pitch presentation in front of a jury with venture capitalists and climate founders.
Our guest speakers include industry experts, venture capitalists, and professionals from the climate-tech field.
Please fill out the application form to submit your project idea and your application to the course. Applications will be open until September 30.
The program is for advanced master students and doctoral candidates in engineering, natural sciences, business, and policy; ideally with ideas of climate-tech applications. You can also take part as a scientist if you want to explore the commercial potential of your research.
For scientists or students with a tech project: Information about you and a description of your research/technology project. Ideally, you also upload a one-pager/poster to help us understand better what you are working on.
For students without a tech project: Study related information, a 300-word motivational text and a one-page CV.
We love people and ideas that have the potential to have a massive impact on the planet.
We will prioritize passionate individuals about chasing a solution to this problem and who have a diverse mix of skills. What we care about is your idea / why you want to take part on the course and how TUM Climate Ventures will help you achieve your goals.
6 ECTS, accreditation depends on the study program. Please double-check with your study coordinator (MGT001459)
No, this class is a great learning opportunity, you do not need to start a company.
You will learn more about it during the course.
Yes, please. We expect total commitment from students, including availability in Munich in terms of time and location.
- You should be committed to dedicating a meaningful amount of time to this class; you really get out of the class what you put into it.
- You are expected to push your idea forward independently, you only move forward and get the most value from the class if you put the time and effort in.
Apply
Applications for WiSe 24/25 are closed.
Your personal contact · Lucía Lara · lucia.lara@tum.de