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 AI Founders program by Campus Founders is a 12-week accelerator for early-stage AI startups that aim to achieve product-market-fit with their launched product and gain traction. It targets founders and startup teams with a technical and a business co-founder and offers a chance to additionally receive € 25,000 as a founder-friendly loan provided by our financial partners, a stipend for free co-living accommodation, and access to state-of-the-art workspaces. The program includes business and AI tracks, extensive mentorship from AI thought-leaders, coaching by seasoned entrepreneurs, business executives, and domain experts. Participants value Campus Founders’ active startup community, a strong cohort feeling, a network including decision-makers of German companies and investors, and the ease of establishing connections within the rising AI ecosystem of Heilbronn. Benefit of a region that is home to many successful SMEs, global corporations, excellent universities like ETH Zürich and TUM as well as the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI).

Highlights:

Dual Tracks: Business and AI tracks for refining business aspects e.g. mastering sales, understanding latest AI trends, and leveraging AI models.

Mentoring & Coaching: Get empowered by AI thought-leaders, seasoned entrepreneurs, and domain experts.

Co-living Stipend: Stipend for free co-living accommodation with other AI startups.

Workspaces & Community: Access to state-of-the-art co-working spaces, a large slack community, and exciting startup events e.g. Heilbronn Slush’D.

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)

Apply for a follow-up investment up to 100,000 € as a founder-friendly convertible loan by our financial partners

*for more details visit campusfounders.de
KTH Innovation
At the center of entrepreneurship at KTH is KTH Innovation, providing world-class support for new ideas from students, researchers and employees. With support from KTH Innovation, new ideas and advanced technology get the best possible conditions to create real and lasting impact in society. KTH Innovation’s incubation program offers comprehensive and extensive support for early-stage tech startups to launch within a year.

Highlights:

Business Development Coach: Dedicated support for your startup’s growth.

Domain-Specific Mentor: Hand-picked mentor with expertise relevant to your field.

Legal and Team Support: In-house assistance with legal inquiries, patents, agreements, and team expansion.

Weekly Workshops: Tailor-made workshops to address your specific needs.

Workspaces: Access to office space, production studio, and makerspace.
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.