From Research to Real-World Impact
In collaboration with University of Hamburg, Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), DESY, University of Groningen.
A selective 6-day summer school for PhD students at the intersection of physics, medicine, medtech and business. The program is a joint development with the academic guidance from University Hamburg Business School, University of Hamburg Physics, UKE and the University of Groningen. Explore the market potential of breakthrough science, work in interdisciplinary teams, and turn promising technologies into first venture-ready opportunity spaces.
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The Essentials
Everything you need to know about the format, schedule, and commitment.
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Full-time during the program week
Course language: English,
7.5 ECTS
Next cohort: September 13–18, 2026
rolling admittances
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PhD students from physics, medicine, medicine-related disciplines, medtech, innovation and business who want to explore how breakthrough research can become real-world ventures. It is especially relevant for participants who are curious about entrepreneurship, technology transfer and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This program is not for you if you are looking for a purely academic summer school without venture or market orientation. It is also not the right fit if you already have a fully formed startup with validated customers and are mainly looking for late-stage acceleration or investment.
Where Science Meets Venture Building
Outstanding research in physics and medicine often holds strong venture potential, yet many researchers lack structured opportunities to explore its real-world relevance across disciplines.
This program closes that gap by bringing together scientific, clinical, and entrepreneurial perspectives in a shared format.
The summer school creates an early pathway from lab insight to opportunity framing, helping translate Deep Tech into credible starting points for future ventures, spinouts, and technology transfer.
Program Journey
A structured program that guides participants from early ideas to prototypes and venture storytelling.
Discover the Technology
Form Interdisciplinary Teams
Explore the Market
Iterate with Mentors
Pitch the Opportunity
From Scientific Curiosity to Opportunity Thesis
By the end of the summer school, participants will have developed a first structured view of how a Deep Tech idea could create real-world value. They leave with a stronger understanding of market potential, an interdisciplinary network, and a practical foundation for future entrepreneurship, venture building or technology transfer.
Program Schedule
From welcome reception to final pitches, the program guides participants from scientific input and team formation to hands-on development and presentation of Deep Tech ideas.
Meet the Academic Leads
& Mentors
The program is guided by a dedicated team of national and international professors and experts from Impossible Founders, combining academic excellence with entrepreneurial experience.
Selection & Access
The iF Summer School is open to PhD students from medicine, medicine-related disciplines, physics, engineering, and business. Participation is based on an open call, followed by a joint selection process designed to build a strong, diverse cohort.
Applications are reviewed by the organizing partners, with selection based on academic background, motivation, ability to contribute to interdisciplinary teamwork, and overall cohort fit.
Applicants do not need prior startup experience. The program is designed for participants both with and without a clear venture idea, valuing different perspectives equally.
iF Summer School FAQs
PhD students from physics, medicine, medtech, engineering, innovation, and business-related fields can apply. The program is especially aimed at candidates interested in exploring how scientific research can become real-world applications, transfer projects, spinouts, or venture opportunities. The program aims at PhD students, but we welcome applications from postdocs and junior staff researchers also.
Yes, we highly welcome applications from PhD students from all over Europe.
Selection is based on academic background, motivation, and ability to contribute to interdisciplinary teamwork. We will start reviewing applications on June 1st and give rolling feedback.
No, there is no participation fee.
Yes. We provide a limited amount of travel stipends of up to € 300,- to cover travel expenses to Hamburg and accommodation support. The total amount of stipends will depend on the quantity and quality of applications from outside of Hamburg. Participants will be reimbursed after the summer school for their expenses.
Participants attend expert input sessions, explore Deep Tech fields, form interdisciplinary teams, analyze market opportunities, receive mentoring, and develop a final pitch or opportunity thesis.
Yes. Participants are matched into interdisciplinary teams. Teams will likely consist of 3–4 interdisciplinary students.
Yes. Assessment is based on pitch development and presentation, plus active participation. Each accounts for 50%. The grading will be pass/fail.
Yes, successful participants will receive 7.5 ECTS credits, issued by the University of Hamburg Business School.
Yes.
The program includes a welcome reception with food and drinks, several lunches, a pub crawl and a joint farewell event.
We highly encourage teams to pursue their ideas further after the Summer School. Impossible Founders will offer support and guide them towards appropriate programs.
Take the Next Step
Shape the future of Deep Tech with us. Start today.
