TUM Climate Ventures
About
Solving global climate challenges requires the creation and successful scale-up of hundreds of new ventures.
Climate Ventures is a project-based course for researchers and advanced master's students that brings together multidisciplinary teams to find commercialization pathways for technologies from TUM. During the semester, the teams work on building the venture hands-on, leveraging TUM Venture Labs' network and resources.
The course has a long-standing history in the global climate and energy community since its introduction at Stanford and MIT, being a launchpad for over 110+ startups. Many have gone on to raise venture capital funding and scale their venture after the class. You could be next!
About the program
We go beyond theory and put ideas into practice. The course is designed for teams to explore the commercial potential of emerging, breakthrough technologies from TUM.
- As a scientist, you can bring your research project to explore its commercial potential.
- As a talent, you will join a project and work hands-on to build the venture's business and market launch plan.
You will form interdisciplinary teams to explore, validate, and shape climate-tech ventures based on (your) tech. Through expert mentoring, 50+ discovery interviews, techno-economic analysis, and business modeling, teams will develop and pitch their startup concepts to a jury of climate founders and venture capitalists, in front of a large audience.
The program is open to TUM Master's students and PhD researchers from engineering, natural sciences, business, and policy. Students and scientists can apply either with or without a technology project.
TUM Climate Ventures
| 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: | Thursdays 5 - 7:30 p.m. (16.10.25 - 06.02.26) + Kick-Off Getaway in the Alps 18-19.10 |
| 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 |
FAQs
During the course, you will work with a team hands-on on developing a venture concept based on your technology. You will have the opportunity to leverage a strong network of founders, experts, mentors, and investors in climate tech.
You can write us at tumclimateventures@tum-venture-labs.de - we are happy to chat with you!
- You will be part of weekly world-class lectures with successful climate founders, experts, and the support of the teaching team.
- You will be having weekly meetings with your mentors to push your project forward.
- You will be participating in exclusive TUM Climate Ventures community events.
- In your team, you will be working on the development of your venture, conducting interviews, and preparing for the pitch presentations in front of a jury with venture capitalists and climate founders.
TUM Climate Ventures can benefit all individuals looking to start a climate-tech venture and build a strong professional network.
The program is ideal for advanced master's students and doctoral candidates in engineering and natural sciences; ideally with projects with climate-tech applications.
If you are a student in business and policy with advanced entrepreneurial or climate policy knowledge, practical experience, or programs like Manage&More or CDTM, you can join a project as a team member!
Meet our hosts:
Lars Eiermann (Managing Director and CSO TUM Venture Lab Sustainability)
Michael Viertler (Senior Partner Emeritus McKinsey & Company)
Our guest speakers include leading voices from the global climate-tech scene—investors, founders, and academics from institutions like Breakthrough Energy, Stanford, MIT, and TUM. Past speakers include Dave Danielson (Breakthrough Energy & Stanford), Tod Hynes (MIT), Markus Fuhrmann (Gropyus), Felix Fischer (Reverion) and many more.
Easy! Fill out the formular at the bottom of this page.
You can take part as a project tech lead if you want to explore the commercial potential of your research. If you do not have a project or idea, you can join as a talent to join a tech project team, if you are an advanced master's student or doctoral candidate in engineering, natural sciences, business, and policy.
For scientists 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.
No, this class is a great learning opportunity, you do not need to start a company.
You will learn about the opportunities the TUM Ecosystem has to offer you during the course. Spoiler alert: there are many!
Save the date to kickstart the coolest lecture you'll take part in. You will get more details after you complete your application.
Yes. We expect total commitment from students, including availability in Munich in terms of time and location for the weekly lectures on Thursdays from 5-7:30 p.m. and our community events.
- 01 August 2025: Applications open (we review on a rolling basis)
- 28 September 2025: Applications close
- 02 October 2025: Selection announcement
- 16 October 2025: First lecture
- 18-19. October 2025: Kick-Off Getaway at the Alps
Let's be honest, it's a lot of work. You will be attending weekly lectures with climate experts and founders, social events, additional meetings with your team and mentors, and you will work on pushing your project forward.
- 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.
- 5 tech projects
- 30 participants
We will have a fun Kick-off getaway in the Alps (18-19 October) so that we all get to know each other and find the best team matches.
For master's students: 6 ECTS, the accreditation depends on the study program. Please double-check with your study coordinator (MGT001459).
Image Gallery
Apply · until Sep 28, 2025
The application period is now closed. We will only consider project applications.
Your personal contact · Lucía Lara · tumclimateventures@tum-venture-labs.de
