AI Founder Fellowship
Empowering AI Researchers
to create Deep-Tech Startups
With this funding program, MISSION KI creates a structured environment where doctoral candidates can transform their AI-related research into viable startup ventures while continuing their studies.
The First Cohort
Since February 2025, the 11 fellows of the inaugural cohort have been working intensively to transform their AI research into market-ready startup ventures. Through a multi-stage selection process, they distinguished themselves among numerous applicants.
The diverse applications of AI are reflected in the selected projects - ranging from energy-efficient networking solutions and AutoML for Industry 4.0 to diagnostic methods for immune disorders. This thematic diversity is also evident in the fellows' academic backgrounds, spanning computer science and mathematics to psychology and medicine.
GREEN-DNN | Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Zahra Ebrahimi
Development of sustainable solutions for energy-efficient AI models in 5G/6G networks through innovative in-network computing.
AutoML for Industry 4.0 | Hochschule Darmstadt, Dr. Lukas Kaupp, Alexander Zender & Alexander Scharfenberg
AI-based error detection for more efficient and cost-effective production processes.
VoxFocus | Universität Mainz, David Maksimovic
Astrophysics-inspired algorithms for precise speech recognition in noise-intensive industrial environments.
AI-Driven Content Delivery | TU München, Markus Sosnowski
AI-optimized server performance for the next generation of AI applications.
CO-VER-GEN | TU Berlin & DFKI, Premtim Sahitaj, Qianli Wang & Daniel Röder
Dialog-based platform for detecting and verifying AI-generated content for businesses.
Decyte | Universität Göttingen, Hanna Roetschke & Julia Stachowiak
AI-based early detection of nervous system and immune diseases through individual "immune fingerprints.
From Research to Startup in 9 Months
The AI Founder Fellowship supports AI talent from research through to company formation. The first phase focuses on developing and validating business models: researchers create business models and test their solutions with end users and industry partners. The subsequent phase involves the practical development of business models and support structures. The final phase prepares for market entry: teams refine their presentations, receive feedback, and present their concepts to the public.
Tech Coach
Prof. Dr. Matthias Nießner
Professor for Visual Computing | TUM
To efficiently transform research approaches into market-ready solutions, the fellows receive individual operational support. Prof. Dr. Matthias Nießner, Professor for Visual Computing at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and co-founder of the AI startup Synthesia, coaches the technical development aspects of the founding projects.
"The barriers to entrepreneurship in Germany are high. With the AI Founder Fellowship, we want to support researchers on their path to founding a company. Our goal is to keep AI expertise in the country. I am very pleased to work with the fellows and coach them on the technical aspects of their founding projects."
Venture Developer
During the program, the fellows are accompanied by a team of experienced Venture Developers. As experts in building digital companies, Venture Developers provide support particularly with the operational implementation of fellowship projects.
Mentoring Network
Additionally, mentors support the fellows as sparring partners with specific expertise from various domains and industry contexts. They accompany the entrepreneurs in specialized subject areas such as Venture Capital, Human Resources, and Prototyping. In doing so, they not only share their knowledge but also open doors to important partners and potential customers.
Antonie Leboyer, Managing Director @ TUM Venture Labs
Antoine unterstützt Technologie-Startups beim Aufbau nachhaltiger Geschäftsmodelle und der Sicherung von Wachstumskapital. Mit seiner Erfahrung aus über 100 Deep-Tech-Investments steht er bei Finanzierungsfragen zur Verfügung.
Laurenz Lankes, Investor @ Merantix Capital
Als erfahrener Venture Capitalist mit Fokus auf KI-Technologien hat Laurenz zahlreiche Startups begleitet und kennt die Bedarfe innovativer KI-Startups.
Felix Christanell, Associate Partner @ Stryber
Felix berät als Venture-Stratege Technologieunternehmen bei der Entwicklung und Skalierung digitaler Geschäftsmodelle. Seine Expertise in der Entwicklung von Wachstumsstrategien macht ihn zu einem wertvollen Sparringspartner für unsere Fellows.
Manuel Hösle, Tech-Transfer Expert @ Fraunhofer Venture
Manuel verfügt über umfangreiche Erfahrung in der Überführung wissenschaftlicher Innovationen in marktfähige Produkte. Er unterstützt unsere Fellows in Fragen zu Technologie-Transfer von Forschungsergebnissen.
Philip Hutchinson, Senior AI Strategist @ appliedAI
Philip treibt bei appliedAI die Entwicklung und Implementierung von KI-Strategien voran. Seine praktische Erfahrung in der Umsetzung von KI-Projekten macht ihn zu einem wichtigen Ratgeber für unsere Teams.
Tobias Kehl, Project Lead @ hessian.AI
Tobias gestaltet bei hessian.AI die Zukunft der KI-Innovation. Er unterstützt unsere Fellows bei der Entwicklung von Kooperationsmodellen mit etablierten Unternehmen.
Florian Schütz, Managing Director @ KI Park
Florian vernetzt im KI Park innovative Startups mit industriellen Partnern. Schwerpunkte: Technologietransfer, KI-Ökosysteme und Ökosystem Engagement, Kollaboration und Co-Innovation bspw. mit Corporates, Bedarfsorientierung/Industry-Needs.
Strong Partners
A strong ecosystem of science, technology transfer, incubation, and venture capital complements the offerings of the AI Founder Fellowship.
