Bridge-to-Market (B2M) is a six-months pre-incubation funding program that focuses primarily on product and market validation and on evaluating the technical feasibility of AI models and data.

The Pre-Incubator program Bridge-to-Market aims to develop the entrepreneurial and technical skills of teams who simply have an idea to start an artificial intelligence company. No specific business plan/model or MVP is required to apply for Bridge-to-Market. During the six-month pre-incubation phase, you will also receive financial support to develop your project.  

The incubator programs are offered by our four incubation centers at TU Berlin, FU Berlin, HU Berlin and Charité. To be eligible to access them, you should meet their application requirements and apply for public funding such as EXIST or BSS through one of the incubation centers. Usually, teams applying for an incubator program have a clear idea of their business model and how they want to develop their product. The aim of such an incubation program is to incorporate the startup after the end of the program. 

K.I.E.Z. also offers the opportunity to apply to the K.I.E.Z. Accelerator program twice a year. The program takes six months and supports young AI companies during the scaling of their business. The Accelerator offers a variety of services to startups. The offer is divided into two main categories from which startups can choose specific offers: Growth Hacks and Growth Foundation. At the end of the Accelerator program, there is a demo day where venture capitalists and other partners can watch the startups' pitches. 

Yes.

No, this is not necessary. However, preference will be given to projects where there is a clear transfer from research to the market.

This funding program addresses anyone with (or close to) an academic degree who has an idea to develop an artificial intelligence-related product or business. However, being a pre-incubation program, Bridge-to-Market is ideal for those who wish to further develop their idea in terms of market and/or technology validation (e.g. possible Bridge-to-Market activities include conducting market research, identifying the initial target group, obtaining proof of concept).

No, you can apply to Bridge-to-Market throughout the year.

Six months.

No, this is not foreseen.

Yes, participation in the program is at least part-time and attendance to a minimum number of workshops is mandatory.

Yes.

Unfortunately, not.

Participants will receive administrative and financial support from K.I.E.Z. as well as the use of facilities and office space by one of the incubation centers. The possible funding amount is calculated from material resources of up to 10,000 euros plus the additional scholarships for the founders. The amount of the respective scholarships depends on experience and educational level:  

• PhD students & graduates with three or more years of professional experience receive 3,000 euros gross per month  
• Graduates with less than three years of professional experience receive 2,500 euros gross per month  
• Technical employees receive 2,000 euros gross per month  
• Students can apply for 1,000 euros gross per month  

In addition, comparable to EXIST, child bonus supplements of up to 150 EUR per month and child are granted.

The scholarship is not an employment contract, therefore income tax, social security contributions, etc. must be deducted from the scholarship. This must be done by the founders. It is recommended to consult with a tax advisor as early as possible.

Yes. However, it is recommended to apply in the last semester of your degree program, also with regard to the mandatory participation in Bridge-to-Market (at least 50 % attendance required).

This can be accepted in exceptional cases. It would be advisable to have at least one university graduate in the team.

Yes, this is possible on a part-time basis under specific conditions and upon discussion with the K.I.E.Z. team.

No, this is not possible.

Up to three people can be funded by the program.

Bridge-to-Market can also fund one-person projects

Yes, this is possible. Whilst a maximum of three team members are supported by Bridge-to-Market financially, this does not limit the number of founders.

The official language is German, hence it is useful to have an intermediate knowledge of German, but most of the program can also be conducted in English language. 

This pre-funding program aims to help with the validation of ideas in terms of market and technology. If the evaluation of the business idea is positive, further support by the teams of the incubators is possible. This encompasses help with the application for further funding such as EXIST startup grant.

No, Bridge-to-Market is for very early-stage projects only, which are well before registration of a business.