Business Accelerator

The Business Accelerator for Life Science & Bioeconomy is a 9 months, high-impact program built for founders whose work lies at the intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation. If you’re building in life sciences, bioeconomy, healthtech, biotech, medtech, digital health, green innovation, or agritech, this is for you.

We support founders with targeted workshops, personalized coaching, and access to a curated network of investors, legal experts, and industry partners. Startups work through the key steps of entrering the market, from busines model and marketing to pitch deck refinement, storytelling, and live presentations.

The program is in person, fully funded, and conducted in English. It is open to startups (≤ 5 years old) based in or willing to relocate to Saxony-Anhalt.

Global Network

Strong local and international partners, mentors and industry leaders.

Infrastructure

Access to sector specific labs, equipment, offices, and shared facilities

Access to Capital

Funding support with pitch training, networking and access to our investor community

Custom Coaching

Your personal startup coach to guide you on your journey

Visibility & Events

Get featured in media, pitch on stage, and meet your future partners

APPLY NOW!

THE PROGRAM

Business Model Development

Business Model Development
This practical workshop introduces the fundamentals of startup business modeling and development. Participants will explore the Business Model Canvas (BMC), define a strong value proposition, and learn how to apply Lean Startup principles such as hypothesis testing and iterative validation to build a business model that aligns with real customer needs.
Target Groups, Validation & Competitive Positioning
This workshop focuses on validating your market and sharpening your positioning. Participants will learn how to analyze and segment target groups, assess market size and potential (TAM, SAM, SOM), and conduct customer-centric validation through interviews, surveys, and testing. The session guides founders from identifying a clear problem-solution fit toward achieving product-market fit, while also refining their unique selling proposition (USP) and value proposition (VP).

Intellectual Property (IP)

Intellectual Property Strategy & Patent Fundamentals
This workshop offers a deep dive into protecting innovation in life sciences and biotech. Participants will learn to differentiate between IP, patents, and design rights, understand what is protectable, and navigate the full IP process from research and filing to maintenance. Additional topics include biotech-specific patent strategy, communication during pending filings, dealing with open-source and licensing models, funding programs, and working with patent lawyers to build a solid protection strategy.
Prototyping & MVPs
This section introduces practical methods for designing, building, and testing early product versions. You’ll explore the differences between prototypes, MVPs, and proofs of concept (PoC), while learning how to apply Design Thinking, Lean Product Development, and customer-centric validation. Through real examples and interactive discussion, you’ll gain insights into working with pilot customers, gathering UX feedback, and iterating your product toward product-market fit.

Certification & Regulation (QM)

Quality & Certification for Startups
This workshop introduces essential quality management systems and certification pathways relevant to life sciences, healthtech, and bioeconomy startups. Topics include ISO 9001, product classification, certification processes, risk and quality management, conformity assessments, technical documentation, and regulatory best practices. Each startup also receives a 30-minute individual session to address specific challenges and clarify next steps toward certification or compliance readiness.
AI for Startups – Tools, Use Cases & Legal Insights
This session explores how startups can effectively use artificial intelligence today. You’ll dive into real-world case studies, learn prompting basics, and understand what drives success (and failure) when implementing AI. The session also covers key legal aspects, including GDPR and intellectual property rights (IPR) and offers a hands-on example of how to apply AI in your own startup context.

Marketing

Marketing Strategy & Digital Communication for Startups
This workshop helps startups build a strong marketing foundation from defining target groups and personas to selecting the right pricing and promotion strategies. Participants will explore the 4Ps of marketing, effective B2B channels like LinkedIn and whitepapers, and storytelling techniques that connect. The session also introduces digital marketing tools, including SEO, SEM, automation, and campaign KPIs, empowering founders to communicate their value and optimize for growth.
No-/Low-Budget Marketing for Startups
In this 2-hour session, you’ll learn how to build visibility and traction without breaking the bank. We’ll explore smart, resourceful tactics for early-stage marketing, covering organic social media, content marketing, community engagement, free tools, and cost-effective campaign ideas. Ideal for startups looking to grow fast on lean budgets, this session is packed with practical tips, real examples, and quick wins you can implement right away.

Financing & Investment

Financing
This workshop provides a practical introduction to startup financing and financial planning. Participants will explore different funding phases and sources, learn how to build realistic financial plans, forecast cash flow, calculate break-even points, and develop scenario models to support informed decision-making and investor communication.
Investment
This workshop equips founders with a solid understanding of early-stage investment mechanics. Topics include different investor types, investment models, valuation methods, and the structure of term sheets and cap tables. Special attention is given to biotech-specific funding dynamics and how to prepare for investor conversations in highly regulated, science-driven sectors.

Legal Structures

Legal Forms, Liability & Tax Essentials
This session provides a practical overview of the most relevant legal forms for startups (GbR, UG, GmbH, AG, GmbH & Co. KG), including their implications for liability, taxation, and IP ownership. You’ll learn how to choose the right legal structure for your startup, understand key differences in corporate and trade tax, and explore special considerations for biotech companies. Perfect for early-stage teams preparing to incorporate, raise funding, or restructure.

GTM & Sales

Go-to-Market Strategy & Sales FundamentalsThis workshop helps founders design and refine their go-to-market approach with a focus on practical sales execution. Topics include choosing the right sales channels, developing effective pricing models, and understanding the sales funnel from outreach to close. Participants will also explore tools like CRM systems, practice trust-building and customer communication techniques, and engage in roleplays to sharpen their pitch and sales conversations.

Pitching & Storytelling

Storytelling & Public Pitching I
Structure and craft your investor pitch, from narrative flow to Q&A.
Storytelling & Public Pitching II
Refine delivery, receive expert feedback, and simulate investor pitch scenarios.