Start-up application

Batch #8 starts March 2026!

Unleash the power of your deep-tech with us!

Create your venture profile here and share it with us so we can get to know you and your start-up.

The application deadline is February 1, 2026.
The program will kick off on March 5, 2026, and end with Demo Day on June 3, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Name of your start-up/team:*

Have you already founded?
YesNo

If yes, in which year was your start-up founded?*

Where have you founded or where do you want to found?*

On which technologies is your business concept based?*

Which target markets does your business concept address?*

What problem have you discovered?*

How did you solve the problem or how do you want to solve the problem?*

Primary technology field:*

Technology Readiness Level as self-assessment:*

Who are the founders and what background do you bring?*

Property right situation: do you already own patents or have you already filed patents?*

How do you envision the future of your start-up?*

How did you learn about the HIGH-TECH.NRW Accelerator?*

What are your expectations for the Accelerator program? Where do you see the concrete need?*

Pitch Deck or if available Business Plan (PDF max. 10MB):*

Pitch Video (max. 3 minutes):

Website:

Contact

First name:*

Name:*

LinkedIn/Xing Profile:*

Email:*

Confirm email address:*

Phone:*

Comments or questions:

By using the contact form, you consent to the storage of the data entered in the contact form. For the use of our contact form, the express consent for the transmission of the information provided there is required. The contact form transmits the contact request, as well as the contact address for the purpose of responding by e-mail. As a rule, your inquiry will be stored for 6 months after receipt in order to be able to refer to it for follow-up questions. A longer storage takes place, if this is prescribed or permitted for legal reasons. The storage can be objected to at any time.*

*Mandatory field

Questions? I will be glad to help you.

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What start-ups say about HIGH-TECH.NRW

Despite our busy schedule, the program was designed with remarkable flexibility, allowing us to fully engage without compromising our other commitments. We gained valuable insights through numerous expert talks and built a strong network of connections. The program manager was incredibly patient and consistently provided thoughtful guidance and warm introductions to key contacts. We’re grateful for the support and inspiration this experience has given us.

Rahman Omidinia Anarkoli, FORMeat, Batch #6, 3rd Place

The HIGH-TECH.NRW program offers high-tech and deep-tech start-ups the ideal platform to network with industry representatives, validate product ideas and gain their first customers. OSPHIM has particularly benefited from the diverse mentor network, which has provided us with valuable insights and support.

Louisa Desel, OSPHIM GmbH Batch #4, 1st Place

The last few weeks have been very exciting and instructive for us in many ways. We were able to establish numerous exciting industry contacts and benefit in particular from the broad network of mentors. We are very grateful for all the support from HIGH-TECH.NRW!

Dr.-Ing. Lisa Schmitt, mechIC, Batch #4, 2nd Place

The 12-week accelerator exceeded all our expectations. It covered all relevant content – from IP and market analysis to fundraising. We were particularly impressed by the first-class network, which enabled us to have in-depth discussions and gain valuable insights from experienced experts. Special praise also goes to the program managers, who provided us with the best possible support and expertise. A truly outstanding program!

Marlene Reusmann, Hydrogenea GmbH, Batch #4, 3rd Place

The HIGH-TECH.NRW Accelerator has opened up a wealth of opportunities for us. The combination of first-class mentoring, targeted, high-quality coaching and access to a network of experts and investors has particularly impressed us and is helping us to pursue our goals in the long term.

Jakob Pfrommer, SLAPStack, Batch #4

Mentors were the standout feature of this accelerator. Equally crucial was the connection and support from fellow deep tech start-ups. In the end, the challenges you encounter as a deep tech, hardware start-up are incredibly unique, and it’s invaluable to share insights with your peers.

Dr. Celia Millon, RayVen, Batch #4

The HIGH-TECH.NRW Accelerator has helped us a lot as Regascold. Through pitch training and optimization, training courses, networking with investors, companies and other startups and the crowning finale at the demo day, the HIGH-TECH.NRW team has given us incredible support over the last few months and helped us a lot in our further development. We are very grateful to you and look forward to further contact with you and the other participating teams.

Philipp Ketteniß, Regascold GmbH, Batch #4

HIGH-TECH.NRW has enabled us to further develop our product. With the help of the many contacts and mentors, we continue to receive active support. HIGH-TECH.NRW is and was an absolute added value for us and a great help in the start-up scene!

Ramona Schütte-Kracht, accensors GmbH, Batch #3

HIGH-TECH.NRW is the place to be when it comes to deep-tech start-ups! 12 weeks of concentrated knowledge, first-class coaching, a great network and unique mentors from the business world. A straight 10/10 for me.

Roland Boumann, red cable robots GmbH, Batch #3, 1rst place

[…] The diverse resources and support options have helped us to sharpen our company profile and successfully drive the project idea forward. The inspiring community and targeted support make HIGH-TECH.NRW a highly recommended contact point for anyone working in the field of cutting-edge technologies.

Dr.-Ing. Jens Lotte, Plasma Additive GmbH, Batch #3, 2nd place

The program is a source of support for start-ups, both in the founding phase and beyond. The expert talks offer a wealth of valuable information and a wide range of contacts. The large network, commitment and expertise of the HIGH-TECH.NRW team make all the difference. We can recommend HIGH-TECH.NRW without hesitation!

Florian Beyer, INDUVOS, Batch #3, 3rd place

It was the first accelerator for us at FOX Composites and we couldn’t have chosen a better one. The incredibly informative expert talks on all relevant topics for start-ups, the great team behind the program and, above all, the sustainable, large network were the biggest benefits for us. The Demo Day was a great finale and a real booster for us.

Dr. Vito Leisner, FOX Composites, Batch #3

If you are building a start-up in the Rhineland, there is no way around HIGH-TECH.NRW. The accelerator program has taken Co-reactive to a whole new level. In addition to the wide range of workshops, the network of experts who are enthusiastic about start-ups forms an important basis for our future success.

Orlando Kleineberg, co-reactive, Batch #2, 1rst place

HIGH-TECH.NRW connected us with outstanding mentors from the deep tech scene and enabled us to massively expand our network of experts and investors. The team worked tirelessly in intensive exchange to accelerate our team and topic and was always able to provide us with advice and support. […]

Aiko Bernehed, Alteva Technologies, Batch #2, 2nd place

The HIGH-TECH.NRW program is unique because it brings together exciting entrepreneurs with an extremely deep technical understanding and thus raises undreamt-of potential. […] Unique for high-tech and deep-tech start-ups! Thank you!

Oliver Weimann, Quantum Cybersecurity Group, Batch #2

The HIGH-TECH.NRW program is recommendable, especially due to the commitment of the team and the individual support you receive there. By focusing on hardware startups and at the same time being open to the industry, a broad network of startups is created there in which people can openly exchange ideas at eye level while at the same time receiving help from established industry experts.

Dr.-Ing. Friederike Kogelheide, GLIM Skin, Batch #1

I see the good organization and clear structure as a particular strength of this accelerator. You are really “looked after” here. What’s fascinating about this program is the diversity of the participating start-ups, so you have a very broad view of the technology newcomers in NRW. The network is also one of the main arguments in favor of the program: precisely because the focus is cross-industry, there is no competition and you can learn a lot from each other and get new input.

Patrick Bongartz, Batch #1, 2nd place

The team behind HIGH-TECH.NRW consists of real experts who understand the deep-tech world and create an excellent breeding ground for real technological innovations in NRW. To all the tech start-ups out there – if you have a deep-tech orientation, HIGH-TECH.NRW is a MUST.

Dr. -Ing. Dennis Michaelis, GEMESYS Technologies, Batch #1, 3rd place

The HIGH-TECH.NRW Program was a perfect combination of mentoring sessions and in-person activities. All high level, both participating companies, mentors and the coordination team. Certainly a helpful program.

Dr. Débora Moretti, LiveSen, Batch #1

The combination of real start-up experience, broad network, and, above all, the will and willingness to support the participating start-ups at any time (even on Sundays!!) and seriously push them forward makes this program so valuable.

Boris Mayer, Innovative Robot Delivery, Batch #1, 1st place

The Accelerator allows us to make many interesting contacts and has given us another push in evaluating our business model!

Nicolai Walter, Pixel Photonics, Start-up 2020

Another unique feature of HIGH-TECH.NRW is that the mentors include industry experts with whom one can discuss very specific prospects and sales markets for one’s own technology.

Dr. David Dung, Midel Photonics, Start-up 2020, 3rd place

For House of Plasma, the program was a great success. We were able to consult on many strategic issues and adjust our own planning. This includes, for example, business planning including market entry strategies and the financing concept.

Dr. Moritz Oberberg, House of Plasma, Start-up 2020

Through our participation in HIGH-TECH.NRW, we have been able to expand our network to include mentors, coaches and partners from industry, finance and science, and acquire our first customers.