Secure up to $1M Funding and Mentorship – Constructor University’s Accelerator is Open for Applications
Constructor University is thrilled to announce its brand-new Accelerator Program offering startups a chance at up to $1M in funding. The Accelerator Program gives tech entrepreneurs the opportunity to refine and build a scalable business through access to personalized mentorship from over 100 industry leaders and Constructor University’s educational resources and research labs. The application period started February 12 and runs through March 31, 2025, before the program kicks off in earnest on April 7.
I’ve heard enough – Where do I sign up?
Right this way -> Application form
Dmitry Kurin, you are the founder of the Accelerator Program. What can you tell me about it?
Our program is designed to bridge the critical gap between innovation and market success. What makes us unique is our holistic approach—providing not only funding opportunities, but also deep expertise, mentorship, and access to cutting-edge resources. Startups can receive up to $1M in investment from Constructor Capital and gain direct access to our extensive network of investors. Beyond funding, we offer personalized support from industry leaders in EdTech, B2B SaaS, and DeepTech, along with exclusive benefits from technology partners worth up to $100K. Confirmed partners at this stage include distinguished names such as anisoprint, Amazon Web Services, JetBrains, and ChemDiv.
We also leverage Constructor University’s world-class research facilities and academic expertise, ensuring startups get access to technical guidance and potential pilot users. Plus, our program is completely equity-free, meaning startups can focus on growing without giving up ownership.
What types of startups and founders are you looking for? Who should apply?
The Constructor Startup Accelerator program is designed to support aspiring tech entrepreneurs and talented students by providing them with resources, mentorship and networking opportunities. We are looking for ambitious teams with strong, complementary skills and relevant domain experience. Startups should ideally be at the MVP stage or beyond, showing initial product validation. We are particularly focused on three key areas: EdTech, B2B SaaS, and DeepTech.
Founders from around the world are encouraged to apply – there are no geographical restrictions. Whether you are a researcher with a disruptive idea, a scientist ready for commercialization, or a university student with a promising startup, you are encouraged to apply.
Early-stage startups face many challenges. How does your Accelerator help them overcome these obstacles?
In many ways, actually. We provide direct pathways to investors, helping startups refine their pitches and secure investment. Our mentors offer structured frameworks to validate business models, find product-market fit, while helping develop and scale their products efficiently. Lastly, we provide access to university resources, through which startups can connect with qualified individuals who align with their vision and provide mentorship and guidance from industry leaders to ensure startups receive strategic advice throughout their journey.
Let’s talk about funding – what can startups expect in terms of investment opportunities?
Our program offers significant funding opportunities. The most promising startups can receive up to $1M in investment from Constructor Capital, including an initial $100K check post-Demo Day. Our Demo Day is a yearly event that connects startups with local and international investors, including venture capital firms, angel investors, and corporate investors.
Beyond funding, investors bring strategic value, offering mentorship, market access, and partnership opportunities that can accelerate startup growth. We are committed to providing startups with the expertise, resources, and technology they need to succeed. By combining world-class mentorship with cutting-edge research and industry insights, we empower entrepreneurs to transform bold ideas into scalable, high-impact ventures.
How does the Accelerator Program fit into the university’s Demo Day?
The Accelerator Program culminates in Demo Day at Constructor University’s Bremen campus, where startups present their businesses to a curated group of investors and industry leaders. Each startup delivers a concise pitch, typically 3-5 minutes, focusing on their business model, growth potential, and investment needs. Hosting Demo Day at our Bremen campus not only creates a vibrant platform for startups to showcase their innovations but also highlights Bremen's rapid emergence as a premier European innovation hub.
At our inaugural Demo Day last year, we witnessed such passion and creativity from startups across diverse sectors – including EdTech, HRTech, Robotics, and Quantum – that it perfectly embodied Constructor Capital’s core values of fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurship and driving long-term value creation. Among these innovative startups, the EdTech startup LingoQuesto which leverages AI tools to empower language educators, secured the top prize at last year's Demo Day. Following its successful launch, Demo Day and the bootcamps of the Global Accelerator Program will return to the Bremen campus twice a year, offering upcoming entrepreneurs the opportunity to take their business to the next level. Supported by Constructor Tech start-ups have the chance to win the tools to flourish.
Beyond pitching, startups participate in networking sessions, gaining valuable investor feedback and potential funding commitments. The key to success on Demo Day is a clear and compelling pitch, a strong product demonstration, and well-prepared financial projections.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in any accelerator. Who are the mentors, and what support do they offer?
Our mentors include serial entrepreneurs, C-level executives from top technology companies, investors with expertise in our focus industries, and technical specialists.
Through a structured 8-week curriculum, participants receive one-on-one mentorship, hands-on workshops, and tailored assignments designed to meet their specific business needs and accelerate their growth. The program covers essential topics such as customer discovery, market analysis, financial modeling, fundraising strategies, intellectual property, and sales execution.
What happens after the Accelerator ends? How do you ensure continued support?
Our support doesn’t end after Demo Day. We maintain strong alumni relations, providing follow-up mentoring, networking opportunities, and ongoing investor introductions. Startups that perform well in our program also receive continued guidance from Constructor Capital to refine their fundraising strategies.
Additionally, we encourage startups to stay engaged with our entrepreneurial ecosystem, leveraging the resources and connections they made during the program.
What are common mistakes founders make when joining an accelerator, and how can they avoid them?
Through our experience running over 20 Accelerator programs, we have indeed identified some common mistakes and pitfalls that founders make when signing up for an Accelerator. These include a lack of clear goals, neglecting networking opportunities, focusing too much on securing funding, and not maximizing the resources at their disposal.
To help founders navigate these challenges, we are hosting a live Q&A webinar on March 13. This will provide in-depth insights into the program and how to maximize its benefits. Stay tuned for announcements on our landing page: Constructor Startup Accelerator.
Finally, how does the Accelerator fit into the broader vision of Constructor University’s startup ecosystem?
Our Accelerator is a cornerstone of Constructor University’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation. It complements our academic programs by providing real-world startup experience, connecting students and researchers with industry leaders, and strengthening partnerships between academia and the business world.
By fostering a global community of entrepreneurs, our Accelerator contributes to a thriving startup ecosystem that extends beyond our campus, helping founders scale their ideas and make a lasting impact on society.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
The Accelerator Program starts April 7 and runs through June 8. The application phase runs from February 12 through March 31, 2025.
To apply, fill out the application form.
To learn more about the Accelerator Program, check out our landing page.