Visiting Hub Program

AI Launchpad 2.0 offers invite-only, curated access to Europe's most dynamic AI hubs.

Forget the one-size-fits-all accelerator. Join a seasonal, curated, cross-border journey where your AI startup gets what it truly needs: markets, expertise, credibility, and impact.

Enter new markets with confidence through:

What makes AI Launchpad different?

AI Launchpad

Pan-European network of 10+ hubs
Tailored visiting model per season
Invite-only: high trust, high signal
Scientific roots + entrepreneurial lift
Access to EU research, talent, and grants
Supports market entry across Europe
Backed by EU's responsible AI agenda

Traditional Accelerators (e.g., YC)

One location, one ecosystem
Fixed 3-month batch model
Open applications, high competition
Mostly business-only founders
US VC-centric, less academic focus
Mostly US/Global-focused
VC-first, growth-at-all-costs model

Trusted referrals by top European hubs

Tailored pre-entry coaching

High-impact matchmaking with corporates, VCs, and peers

Short, focused immersion programs (1–2 weeks) in host ecosystems

A connected community of innovators scaling AI for impact

What will you get as a startup?

Including ETH Zurich, UnternehmerTUM, DTU Skylab, KTH Innovation, and more.

Access to Europe’s Top AI Innovation Hubs

Visit a new ecosystem for each season. Join pre-visit coaching and post-visit matchmaking with local investors, corporates, and peers.

Tailored Market Entry Support

Work alongside other founder teams nominated by top European facilitators. You’re in excellent company.

High-Trust Startup Community

AI scientists, technical experts, and entrepreneurs coach and support you throughout the process —not just business mentors.

Support from Both Sides of the Table

Pitch at a pan-European demo day. Tap into EU-wide opportunities, public-private partnerships, and VC networks.

Visibility on a European Stage

We don’t just fund growth — we support responsible, sustainable AI that’s aligned with Europe’s future.

Rooted in Purpose

Our hubs

AI Launchpad partners with ten top-tier innovation hubs across Europe. Each offers a unique local experience for visiting startups.

See which hub fits you best:

INiTS
INiTS provides access to the SCALEup incubation program, which includes workshops and individual support around market evaluation, business model, market entry strategy, and more. Startups receive individual coaching and mentoring and have the opportunity to secure STARTKapital investments of up to €100,000. The program offers access to advanced computing infrastructures like EuroHPC and Vienna Scientific Cluster, along with HPC expertise through INiTS’ participation in the EuroCC project.

Highlights:

Coaching and Mentoring: Personalized guidance for your startup.

STARTKapital Investments: Opportunity to secure up to €100,000 in funding.

Advanced Computing: Access to EuroHPC and Vienna Scientific Cluster infrastructures.

Healthcare Connections: Direct links to medical research facilities, healthcare providers, and regulatory institutions through Health Hub Vienna.
Ignite Accelerator Program
The Ignite Hub at DTU Skylab is an accelerator program designed for early-stage tech startups aiming to positively impact society. The program supports startups with interdisciplinary teams. Participants gain entrepreneurial skills, develop sustainable business models, and receive real customer feedback. The program includes mandatory kick-off events, workshops, and 1:1 startup coaching to build a solid foundation for successful startups.

Highlights:

Customer Feedback: Obtain real customer feedback to refine your project.

Business Model Development: Create and validate a sustainable business model.

Startup Pitching: Learn to deliver a convincing startup pitch.

Entrepreneurial Network: Join a network of fellow entrepreneurial students.

Monetary Prizes: Compete for monetary prizes at the Ignite finals.
Campus Founders
The Accelerator by Campus Founders is a 12-week program for early-stage startups aiming to achieve product–market fit in Germany and gain real traction with their launched products. Located in Heilbronn, in the heart of Baden-Württemberg, one of Europe’s strongest economic regions, the program offers unparalleled access to “hidden champions” and mid-sized industry leaders. This is a region where corporate innovation is thriving, and Campus Founders is deeply connected to the decision-makers driving it. Participants also benefit from our active startup community, a strong cohort spirit, and direct access to the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI), making Heilbronn a rising hub for AI innovation in Europe.

Highlights:

Three specialized tracks:

AI Track: Stay ahead with the latest AI trends, model applications, and sector opportunities, guided by top AI thought-leaders.

Business Track: Strengthen your business fundamentals, master B2B sales, refine your go-to-market, and expand your network.

Founder’s Wellbeing Track: Develop the mindset, resilience, and leadership skills to thrive as a founder.

12-week structured program combining workshops, mentoring, and hands-on coaching.

Access to Campus Founders brand-new 7,000m², 24/7 Startup & Co-working Hub.

Mentoring & Coaching from AI thought-leaders, seasoned entrepreneurs, executives, and domain experts.

Engaged Community: Join our founder network, Slack group, and flagship events like Heilbronn Slush’D.

Co-living stipend to join other startups in shared accommodation.

Financial Support Opportunities*:

Apply for € 25,000 as a founder-friendly loan provided by our financial partners

Apply for our founder scholarship (€ 1,500/month per person for up to 12 months)

Who We’re Looking For
We target B2B startups led by technical and business co-founders with a post-MVP product and initial market interest (e.g. LOIs, pilots, early revenue). By the end of the program, founders move from problem–solution fit to product–market fit, build strong traction, and are investor-ready, plugged into one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems.

*for more details visit campusfounders.de
KTH Innovation

KTH Innovation is the center of entrepreneurship at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden’s leading technical university. Located centrally on the historic and dynamic main KTH campus, KTH Innovation is situated in one of Stockholm’s most vibrant innovation hubs - where groundbreaking research, student-driven ideas, and deep tech startups converge. KTH Innovation supports more than 400 new ideas annually and currently has around 500 active alumni companies. With over 20 years of experience, KTH Innovation offers a "one-stop-shop" for early-stage innovations, delivering free and confidential support to people at KTH.

Highlights:

Business development coaching

Access to legal experts and IP professionals

Workspaces: Access to co-working space, production studio, and makerspace.

Mentoring, team development, and co-founder recruitment

Extensive network: Investors, industry partners, experts, mentors, etc.

A proprietary innovation framework (KTH Innovation Readiness Level), now used by over 3,000 organizations globally
XPLORE Venture Creator
The XPLORE Venture Creator program focuses on validating problem-solution fit, optimizing team dynamics, and gaining a deeper understanding of customers to establish a beachhead market and enhance the initial business model. This equity-free part-time format spans ten weeks and takes place online, combined with interactive sessions. Participants receive a structured curriculum, expert coaching, and access to a unique network of start-ups and industry specialists within the UnternehmerTUM network.

Highlights:

Essential Resources: Access to office space, lab facilities, MakerSpace, and prototyping grants.

Industry Coaching: Guidance from business experts and industry leaders.

Co-founder Matching: Assistance in finding a co-founder with complementary skills.
ETH AI Center & Talent Kick
At the ETH AI Center, the central hub for artificial intelligence, you'll gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience, connect with diverse and motivated students from various disciplines, and receive extensive support and preparation for your entrepreneurial career. With access to world-class resources, 450k CHF in cloud credits from Google, as well as expert mentorship and leadership coaching, you'll have everything you need to lay a stable foundation for your startup journey. Talentkick further enhances this experience by helping you find complementary co-founders and providing hands-on entrepreneurial experience.

Highlights:

Cloud Credits: Up to 450k CHF in cloud credits from Google.

Scientific Mentorship: Two sessions with a world-leading scientific mentor.

Leadership Coaching: Individual leadership coaching for personal growth.

Hands-on Learning: Optional financial support of 5-10k CHF per project for practical experience.

Executive Mentoring: Leadership coaching and mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs and executives.
Hasso-Plattner-Institut (HPI)
HPI provides startup founders with specially designed incubation and acceleration programs. Alongside this, they offer events, financial support, and cutting-edge infrastructure such as the HPI Maker Universe and Co-Working Spaces. Their vast founder community, consisting of startup founders, alumni, investors, mentors, and industry partners, along with easy access to venture capital, especially their ecosystem HPI Ventures, completes the ecosystem.
YES!Delft
YES!Delft believes in the impact tech companies can have. Through innovation, the companies provide a crucial contribution to our society and economy. YES!Delft’s services transform promising ideas and teams into solid tech startups, helping them grow into successful companies. By connecting their unique startup programs & services with their regional ecosystem of experts, mentors, partners, and investors, they help build tomorrow’s leading tech firms.
CVC
CVC's mission is to conduct cutting-edge research with the greatest possible international impact in the field of Computer Vision. Through Xarxa, CVC aims to strengthen the Catalan AI ecosystem and establish it as a hub for research and innovation in Southern Europe. This includes fostering the interaction between scientific actors and creating links with the business sector, generating socio-economic impact.
Cyber Valley
Cyber Valley supports startup founders with dedicated incubation programs in the heart of Europe’s leading AI ecosystem. It fosters a vibrant community, facilitating smooth collaboration and rapid knowledge-exchange between Cyber Valley INNOVATION CAMPUS founders from science, business, and society. The founders benefit from strong ties to top-tier research institutions, corporate partners, and investors.