The Cyber Valley AI Incubator is a hands-on program designed for scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who want to turn bold AI ideas into real ventures.
Applications for Batch 8 in Tübingen are now open! Register here!
Whether you're developing AI tools for healthcare, autonomous robots, computer vision systems, intelligent research assistants, new generative AI applications, or another innovative idea, the incubator helps you transform your concept into a startup-ready venture.
Participants work in teams, so we strongly encourage applying with a colleague or collaborator to bring your idea to life. Don’t have a team yet? No problem — we can help match you with a teammate.
You’ll work alongside experienced start-up mentors and science communications experts, refining your idea, validating the market, and preparing to pitch at our Demo Day on July 10.
Why Join?
- Full-day, hands-on immersive training
- Batch 8 taking place in Tübingen
- Connect with inspiring founders and investors
- Free of charge – yes, it’s on us
- Open to anyone with an AI or robotics start-up idea
- Final pitch at our Demo Day on July 10
Who Should Apply?
Anyone is welcome to apply! This program is especially valuable for Master’s and PhD students who are passionate about innovation and interested in combining entrepreneurship with world-class research.
Participants are typically familiar with one or more of the following fields: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Robotics & Intelligent Systems (including micro- and nano-robotics, and soft robotics), Computer Vision, Graphics & Perception; Data Science & Computational Modeling, Human–Computer Interaction & Cognitive Science; Biomedical Technology & Neuroscience, and other related areas.
If you’re ready to help shape the future of AI—whether in research, industry, or both—this program offers an exciting opportunity.
Apply individually or on behalf of a team!
You can apply on your own or submit an application on behalf of your team.
Registration is now open here. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 15 (AoE – Anywhere on Earth), meaning applications are accepted until the end of that day anywhere in the world.
Spots are limited, so we encourage applying as early as possible. Once accepted, you and your team will join the full 6 days immersive AI Incubator program in Tübingen, where you’ll work closely with start-up experts from the Cyber Valley community to develop and pitch your AI venture.
No — previous business or start-up experience is not required.
The AI Incubator is designed for people who are new to entrepreneurship as well as those in the early stages of building a start-up. You’ll receive guidance from experienced start-up coaches and learn alongside other participants while developing and refining your venture.
You should apply with at least one other team member (small teams are encouraged). Having an initial idea from at least one team member is preferred, but it does not need to be fully developed. The program is designed to help you shape, validate, and advance your idea together with your team.
IMPRS-IS doctoral researchers receive 3 program credits if they successfully take part of the AI Incubator program.
Batch 8 will take place in Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Teams coming from outside the area are expected to arrange and cover their own travel and accommodation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at incubator@is.mpg.de
For any questions regarding the program, organization, or logistics, please reach out to incubator@is.mpg.de
We are looking for passionate individuals eager to combine entrepreneurship with cutting-edge AI research. Participants can be students, researchers, or professionals — you do not need to be enrolled in a university.
Ideal applicants are curious, collaborative, and motivated to turn bold AI ideas into real-world ventures. Backgrounds in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Vision, Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Biomedical Technology, or Neuroscience are highly relevant, but anyone with a promising AI start-up idea is welcome.
You should be ready to work in a small team, share ideas, and learn from both peers and experienced start-up mentors.
The AI Incubator invites all:
- scientists
- researchers
- technologists and/or business talent
- PhD and postdoc students from the Cyber Valley ecosystem
- anyone interested in exploring entrepreneurial topics around AI
Even if you do not have any research background in AI, robotics, or machine learning, but are keen to grow your business knowledge in this field and explore the world of start-ups, we’re happy to receive your application!
The AI Incubator offers an unrivalled opportunity to start your own business and connect with investors.
- Build the next unicorn! We're here to support, connect, and empower you to do exactly that!
- Play a leading role in shaping the next generation of AI start-ups Made in Baden-Württemberg.
- Meet like-minded people from interdisciplinary backgrounds, interested in AI, entrepreneurship and start-ups.
- Strengthen the start-up culture and entrepreneurial mindset among AI scientists.
- Learn the basics of entrepreneurship from professional start-up coaches.
- Take part in hands-on sessions, gain industry insights, and receive mentoring by leading AI and start-up experts.
- Connect with the wider AI community and the Cyber Valley ecosystem.
- Gain insights into the entrepreneurship and investor ecosystem.
- Pitch your idea to the expert jury and get rewarded!
Contact
For any questions regarding the program, application, or any organizational or logistical inquiry, please reach out to incubator@is.mpg.de.
Organizers of the AI Incubator
The Cyber Valley AI Incubator is organized by the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, and funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. Partners and start-up experts from the Cyber Valley Community will be on board to promote the sucess of all active participating teams.
The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems conducts fundamental research into the principles of perception, learning, and action that underlie autonomous and adaptive behavior in both natural and artificial systems. With two campuses in Stuttgart and Tübingen, the institute brings together interdisciplinary expertise across computational, physical, and social dimensions to advance knowledge in artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, computer vision, control, and materials science. Researchers at the Stuttgart site emphasize the physical realization of intelligent systems—including robotic materials, soft robotics, and haptic intelligence—while the Tübingen site focuses on theoretical and computational foundations and societal aspects of AI. The institute is part of the international Max Planck Society and fosters collaboration, innovation, and the translation of bold ideas into technologies with societal impact.
The Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung’s mission is to create an open environment for scientific breakthroughs. As a partner of excellence in science, it supports basic research as well as applied sciences in the STEM subject areas (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Founded in 1889 by the physicist and mathematician Ernst Abbe, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung is one of the oldest and biggest private science funding institutions in Germany. It is the sole owner of Carl Zeiss AG and SCHOTT AG. Its projects are financed from the dividend distributions of the two foundation companies.
Cyber Valley is Europe's leading center for excellence in advanced AI and robotics. Cyber Valley creates a vibrant ecosystem that enables seamless collaboration and rapid exchange between academia, business and society.
As an ambassador for entrepreneurship, Cyber Valley's mission is to strengthen the research, development, and application of intelligent systems, providing a platform for collaboration, resource sharing, and advancement of modern AI and robotics. With a focus on the ethical and societal aspects of AI, Cyber Valley fosters dialogue between society and AI researchers and strives for a future in which the full potential of intelligent systems is used for the benefit of society.
The International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems (IMPRS‑IS) is a highly interdisciplinary doctoral program jointly run by the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, the University of Stuttgart, and the University of Tübingen. Established in 2017, it brings together leading researchers from fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, neuroscience, control theory, and human‑computer interaction to investigate the fundamental principles of intelligent, adaptive behavior in complex environments. IMPRS‑IS is a core component of Baden‑Württemberg’s Cyber Valley initiative and recruits outstanding doctoral candidates from around the world to pursue cutting‑edge research across theoretical and applied domains. The program provides structured support, mentorship from internationally recognized faculty, and opportunities for participation in seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects, all conducted in English. Graduates earn their doctoral degrees while being embedded in a vibrant scientific community dedicated to advancing the frontiers of intelligent systems research.