The category “TECHNOLOGIES x RESOURCES” is open to all ideas based on information and communication technologies. Including but not limited to:

• Web & software applications, such as:
  • Games and 3D applications,
  • social media platforms,
  • e-commerce offerings,
  • databases,
  • business intelligence solutions,
  • AI models,
  • AR/VR/MR applications,
  • APIs/SDKs as well as SaaS platforms (e.g. fintech solutions),
  • apps.
• Hardware such as:
  • devices,
  • sensors (IoT) and
  • accessories.
• IT
  • Infrastructure (e.g. networks & security) and
  • services.
• Industrial and environmental solutions in
  • the energy industry,
  • materials,
  • process technology,
  • optics,
  • nanotechnology,
  • photovoltaics,
  • materials & magnets and
  • analytics & measurement.

If you are not sure whether your idea qualifies for this category feel free to contact us: info@marketchallenge.de

The competition is open to all ideas based on theories and methods of engineering, natural and life sciences.
Including but not limited to:

• development of medical devices,
• in vitro diagnostics,
• drugs,
• eHealth,
• senior Health,
• physical medicine and rehabilitation,
• biotechnology,
• chemistry,
• biochemistry,
• food products,
• Methods for prevention of diseases and
• animal health.

If you are not sure whether your idea qualifies for this category feel free to contact us: info@marketchallenge.de

This competition category is open for submissions which takle sustainbility challenges, ideas in the fields of cultural and creative industries, social entrepreneurship, e.g.:

• Media offerings and media services such as:
  • social media,
  • classical broadcasting (radio, television, etc.),
  • news (online, print, etc.),
  • advertising,
  • media management and
  • publishing.
• Creative and cultural offerings such as:
  • audio & music,
  • books,
  • art,
  • film and audiovisual content,
  • design,
  • architecture,
  • theatre and
  • dance.

Social entrepreneurs are people who want to achieve sustainable social change with innovative ideas and entrepreneurial concepts. Common themes are:

• social innovations,
• education,
• inclusion,
• Integration of refugees,
• equality & equal opportunities,
• sustainability,
• fair and sustainable trade or services and
• development aid.

If you are not sure whether your idea falls into this category, please contact info@marketchallenge.de.

For the 10th anniversary of the Research to Market Challenge, we are looking even more into the future with the special award "Future Innovation: AI" for visionary ideas on AI. Examples are ideas with a generative AI (e.g. the generation of texts, images, videos, 3D objects), new AI models as well as ideas for improving the collaboration between humans and machines or solving ethical challenges.

The special award, donated by K.I.E.Z. in the amount of € 1,500, is open to participants from all three categories.

To apply for the special prize, a thematic connection must be clearly recognisable in the actual idea sketch. Assign your idea to one of the three main categories in the entry form and place an additional cross under "Special Award Future Innovation: AI".

Students, graduates, Ph.D. students and Post Doc’s of

• Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin or its collaborating institutes (for example Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung)
• who have a product or business idea
• which is related to the research of at least one of the participating institutes.
• Participation is possible as an individual and well as a team.
• Each participant/team can submit several ideas but only one idea per participant/team can be awarded.

 Any idea with a clear reference to research of the Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin or the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin as well as cooperating institutions may be submitted.

To participate in the first stage of the competition, a completed application form and a concept paper of up to three pages (PDF, DIN A4, font size 11, simple line spacing) of a research-based product or business idea must be submitted. The concept paper should include the following aspects:

Affiliated person(s)

Please briefly describe the persons involved as well as their positions.

Connection to research
Describe the connection between your idea and the research of your university / research institution.

Idea and product innovation

Describe your idea and the product innovation and, if necessary, the technology.

Customer Value and market

Please indicate the potential benefits of potential customers. If possible, also describe in which specific market (e.g. FinTech, software industry, health technology, education) you could be active with your project.

Practicability

Please provide a brief overview of the practicability of your idea: Where can development and research risks arise? What is needed for a transition into the market?

In the second stage of the competition, the concept papers need to be revisited and submitted again on a maximum of five pages (PDF, DIN A4, font size 11, simple line spacing).

Yes, a submission will not be accepted if:

• The application form has not been filled out completely.
• The concept paper does not cover the central aspects mentioned above.
• The idea does not fit into one of the three categories.
• The terms of participation are violated.
• The idea was/is already supported by the Berliner Startup Stipendium.
• The idea was/is already support by Exist.

In the first stage of the competition, a concept paper of up to three pages (DIN A4, font size 11, simple line spacing) of a research-based product or business idea must be submitted as an PDF file. In the second stage of the competition, the projects are to be presented on a maximum of five pages.

The concept paper is supposed to have a cover sheet (not included in the page count mentioned above), which contains the following information:

• Name of the project
• Category the idea is submitted in
• A contact person for queries

Please send the concept paper as a PDF file (please note file size) with the completed application form to: info@marketchallenge.de

Since ideas are called for in an early phase of development, the state of development of the idea will not be assessed. The jury makes its decision based on:

• Level of Innovation.
• Connection to Research and research background.
• Customer value and market potential.
• Practicability of the idea.

No. In order to provide a fair competition the idea and the concept paper will not be evaluated before the start of competition.

Yes, the jury, the coaches and all employees of the partners involved are obliged to maintain confidentiality.

Both individuals and teams can submit ideas.

Yes, each participant/team is allowed to submit several ideas, but only one submission per participant / team can be forwarded to the concept phase.

The jury of the Research to Market Challenge consists of several persons who have professional competence in different fields in order to be able to assess all ideas in a professional manner.

Both product and services ideas can be submitted.

Yes, the participation in the Research to Market Challenge is independent of the participation in other competitions, e.g. the Businessplanwettbewerb Berlin Brandenburg (BPW). If your submitted idea has already been awarded or is funded by other public programs, the participants have to state this in their application for the Research to Market Challenge.

No, participation is excluded from ideas that have already been submitted in an application for an EXIST start-up scholarship or an EXIST research transfer because the ideas competition is directed at a very early stage.

No. Ideas, which have already been funded by the Berlin Startup Fellowship, are excluded from participation as the Research to Market Challenge addresses ideas at a very early stage. Candidates who have not been selected for funding may, however, participate.

Three teams per category will be selected and awarded with a prize. The prizes are endowed as follows:

• 1^st prize: € 1.500
• 2^nd prize: € 1.000
• 3^rd prize: € 500

In addition, every team can win the special award of € 1.500.

At least one representative from each winner's team has to participate in the award ceremony and present the idea to the audience. The outcome of the competition including the submitted business ideas may be reported by Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin und die Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin as part of their public relations work. Of course, no confidential information is published as the journalistic principles of the German Press Council are taken into account. The payment of the prize money is not subject to any further obligations. The further development of the ideas is, however, encouraged as the support will continue after the end of the competition.

In any case you will receive valuable feedback and important contacts as all submissions are reviewed by experts. Additionally, the ten teams per category selected in the first stage of the competition are invited to be trained by professionals in a one-day workshop.

Host of the competition are the four Berlin Universities: Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin und die Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in co-operation with many different supporters!

Further information can be found in the conditions of participations.

Benjamin Flader

E-Mail: info@marketchallenge.de

Tel.: (030) 838 75 749