HTW Berlin Wins €2.5M to Back GreenTech Startups
HTW Berlin has been particularly successful in promoting start-ups for many years. © Alexander Rentsch, HTW Berlin
Berlin's startup scene just got a fresh boost. HTW Berlin, one of Germany's top entrepreneurship universities of applied sciences, has secured over €2.5 million from the European Social Fund (ESF+) to continue its Berlin Startup Stipendium program through 2029. According to the press release from HTW Berlin, the next funding round kicks off in summer 2026.
The program offers selected founders €2,500 per month for up to 12 months, letting them focus entirely on building their startup. On top of that, participants get free office space and co-working areas at the university's startup center on Campus Treskowallee, plus access to fully equipped technical labs and workshops for developing prototypes.
The new round puts GreenTech front and center. Think renewable energy, resource efficiency, sustainable urban development, and climate-neutral production. Founders in these areas can tap directly into HTW Berlin's specialized labs, including facilities for photovoltaics, energy storage, and life cycle assessment.
Digital technologies and social impact entrepreneurship round out the program's focus areas. New this time is an AI Adoption Coaching module, helping founders integrate artificial intelligence as a core part of their business models, not just a side tool.
By 2029, up to 51 participants across around 17 teams could receive funding. The goal is that 85 percent of alumni go on to found a company or enter employment. The program actively promotes diverse and inclusive founding teams.
HTW Berlin has been supporting startups for over 24 years and has backed 64 teams since 2017. Interested students and graduates can already register at get-BSS@htw-berlin.de.
Thinking about launching a business, setting up premises, or creating partnerships in Berlin?
We invite you to contact us.
Our team is ready to help you with our free consultation services.