u:seed
Have you been working on an invention or idea and want to bring it to the next level? Have you completed one of our innovation labs and are wondering what to do next? The u:seed programme provides mentorship, training, and financial resources to bridge the gap between early development and access to relevant funding (either from public agencies like AWS, FFG, or Vienna Business Agency, or from private capital).
what to expect
Join tailored workshops, get matched with our mentors, and access to €10,000 in prototype funding. Expect hands-on support, expert coaching, and pitch at the end of the programme to our vibrant community.
In six months, we will bring your idea to the next level through a customised approach of team and customer development.
programme
Most of the sessions will be held at our creative innovation space in Apostelgasse 23, 1030 Vienna, and will run from October 2025 to March 2026. In addition to the workshops, coaching sessions and mentor matching, regular check-ins will be scheduled to support the teams throughout the programme.
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application deadline
13 July
Apply for the u:seed programme here. Applicants will be selected by 18 July.
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kick-off
6 October, 1pm - 3pm
Introduction to the programme & networking with participating teams.
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Phase I
13 October, 9am - 5pm: Team Dynamics
17 October, 9am - 2pm: Mentor Matching
20 October, 9am - 5pm: Customer Development Session I (4-hour sessions with 4 teams each)
24 October, 9am - 1pm: Group Session on Team Dynamics
3 November, 9am - 5pm: Customer Development Session II
17 November, 9am - 1pm: Financial Modelling & Business Model Development
1 December, 9am - 1pm: Group Session on Financial Modelling & Business Model Development
9 December, 9am - 1pm: Pitch Training
Team check-ins: 10th October, 27th October, 10th November, 24th November (30-minute slots assigned to each team)
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midterm pitch & X-Mas lunch
15 December, 9am - 3pm
Pitch your idea in front of a jury to unlock the final prototype funding.
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Phase II
19 January, online, 9am - 5pm: Customer Development Coaching I (45-minute slots assigned to each team)
13 February, 9am - 1pm: Access to Funding
16 February, online, 9am - 5pm: Customer Development Coaching II (45-minute slots assigned to each team)
23 February, 9am - 1pm: Pitch Practice
2 March, seminar room Berggasse 7, 9am - 1pm: Legal Aspects
16 March, 9am - 1pm: Group Session on Legal Aspects
Team check-ins: 12th January, 26th January, 9th Feburary, 9th March (30-minute slots assigned to each team)
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demo day & award
23 March, Sky Lounge, 5pm - 9pm
Present your idea in front of investors and other stakeholders at our demo day.
our mentors
additional information
Eligibility
- At least one of the team members must be affiliated to the University of Vienna (student, academic and non-academic staff, alumni).
- The team is not currently receiving funding from other sources for the same project. If it is, the team can still be admitted to the training and mentoring part of the programme.
Assessment criteria
- Teams will be shortlisted based on the innovativeness and impact of their idea, clarity of the work plan & goals, and the feasibility of the project (taking into consideration the team, what has been achieved so far, and the financial need).
- Shortlisted teams will be invited for an interview.
- Within the u:seed programme, you can apply for a pre-seed financial support of maximum 10k€. Only in case of cost-intensive technology development, we would grant a higher financial support – this is decided on case-by-case basis and should be clearly motivated.
- Financial support will be provided in two tranches. The second will be unlocked only upon the positive evaluation of an external jury during the funding pitch (15 December).
IP and license agreement
- The teams will sign an agreement at the beginning of the programme, clearly stating the terms and conditions of joining the programme.
- The University will own a 25% share of the IP generated during the programme duration in exchange for the support provided.
- In compliance with state-aid law, if and only if a company is founded based on this IP, it will enter in a license agreement with the university. Once 125% of the financial support is repaid, the IP will be fully transferred to the company.
Ready to apply?
Before applying, ensure you can commit to the full schedule and workload of the program. This guarantees you and your team achieve the best results and have a successful experience.
Applications will be assessed based on:
- innovativeness and impact of the idea;
- clarity and feasibility of the work plan;
- the team’s commitment to developing the idea further.
contact
Join our Slack Community or write an e-mail to entrepreneurship@univie.ac.at.
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