A trifecta of triumphs! Constructor University honors three cutting-edge startups at Demo Day
The future of technology, science and business was on display once again at Demo Day, held on campus at Constructor University in Bremen, Germany where 14 startups from around the globe pitched bold ideas in fields such as AI, quantum computing and bioengineering for a chance to win $100,000 in initial funding from Constructor Capital. In a Demo Day first, not one but three startups claimed the top prize: Qendra, MetaNeural and CellKinetica. The marquee event signaled the finale of the latest round of the Constructor Start program, an 8-week, intensive accelerator providing training, mentoring and funding to early-stage tech startups.
The milestone of awarding multiple winners at Demo Day speaks not only to the underlying quality of the presenting startups, but also to the program’s growth and the broader strategy of Constructor Capital and its many partner organizations, including Constructor University.
"At Constructor, we are uniting science, technology and education around a deeply fundamental and applied mission while building an ecosystem to promote innovative solutions anywhere in the world,” said Dr. Serg Bell, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of Constructor University & Executive Chairman of the Board of Constructor Group. “The Constructor Start Program is a key part of this ecosystem, supporting more than two hundred early-stage startups each year with funding and mentorship in fields such as AI, deep-tech, robotics and advanced materials.”
“For today’s winners, the $100,000 initial investment is a first step together,” says Dr. Bell, “as founders can receive up to $1 million in funding through Constructor Start, along with continued support from our global network of aligned mentors and industry leaders. They also get access to co-investments from trusted angels and VCs. With Constructor Knowledge, Constructor Capital and Constructor Tech working together, we are working to help transform ideas into successful companies that solve global challenges.”
The Constructor Start program has received over 5,000 applications since its inception, including the nearly 1,700 startups from more than 70 countries that applied to take part in this latest round. Only 26 were selected to advance and complete the program, where they received 1-on-1 mentoring and an eight-week curriculum to strengthen their startup plans in areas like customer discovery, team management, legal considerations and marketing. The top 14 startups representing ten different countries were selected as finalists and given the opportunity to compete on the Demo Day stage. Read our finalist feature series to learn more about each of these startups and their business ideas.
“This is our third Demo Day as part of the Constructor Start program, and we've seen qualitative improvements in participants, including increased maturity among serial entrepreneurs who have already launched and sold several businesses,” said Dmitry Kurin, CEO of Constructor Start. “This increase in viability and quality is evidenced by our selection of three winners from among the 14 participants of the day—a Demo Day first.”
This year’s $100,000 winners include US-based MetaNeural; who are using AI to create realistic XR training simulations for professionals in high-risk sectors; Qendra, a Swiss quantum computing startup, and CellKinetica, another early-stage Swiss venture whose data-driven software solution helps IVF patients achieve pregnancy sooner. The trio of winners also received a 60% scholarship from Constructor Start partner Nexford for any MBA in AI. In addition to the main prize, the title of ‘audience favorite’ was awarded to India-based startup NYX, whose AI-creativity and marketing startup won over both in-person and online attendees to take home an additional 10 hours in mentoring from Mr. Kurin.
“The Constructor Start program is evolving. For example, over the past six months, our participants have already raised over $10 million in funding and won various international entrepreneurship competitions,” Kurin pointed out. “Our first winner increased revenue tenfold and reached break-even, which speaks volumes about the quality of our participants and successful investments.”
Demo Day was held on February 24 at Constructor University’s International Conference Center, welcoming business leaders, investment firms and entrepreneurs from around the world to the Bremen-Vegesack community. In addition to the “main event” pitch sessions, the latest Demo Day featured a panel discussion on the future of quantum computing with leading experts from around the world, which also provided an opportunity for Dr. Serg Bell to formally welcome Sir Kostantin Novoselov, a panel participant, as the new President of Constructor University. This intake of the program placed a special focus on AI and Deep Tech, with four of the 14 finalists operating in the quantum computing space.
Demo Day and Constructor Start are part of Constructor Group’s vision to drive advancements in science, technology and education through its integrated ecosystem, offering education, research and business solutions. Supported by Constructor Tech, start-ups have the chance to win the tools to flourish, from access to Constructor Tech’s advanced research platform CT to discount codes for Nexford's 'From Idea to Pitch' course.
Applications for the next intake of the Constructor Start program are already being accepted, with the next Demo Day taking place in summer 2026. Constructor Start is open to all early-stage tech startups with innovative business ideas for AI, Deeptech, Edtech and Software+. Entrepreneurs interested in taking advantage of this program can learn more and apply on the Constructor Start website.