"In the beginning, I was a single scientist with a promising idea and a patent, but without a team and without a concrete plan to develop a viable business model from it. The IDEAward - in addition to other valuable support offers from TUM - set clear deadlines that motivated me to get other people on board, to develop the business idea in a structured way and to get involved in the world of business, which was completely new to me. By the final, a team of five had emerged, with which we are now applying for further funding programs - with the aim of becoming an EXIST spin-off. Overall, the application for the IDEAward was a decisive catalyst on our path from research to our own company."

"For us at Verdira Biotech, winning the TUM IDEAward was not just a milestone for the startup, but also access to inspiring mentors and an ambitious community that pushed us to sharpen our vision further. Walking into such challenge as an all-female team was quietly transformative: it made clear that women are not merely included in deep tech entrepreneurship - instead we are actively shaping its future.This visibility was deeply motivating for us and, we hope, for others pondering to take the plunge. We hope more diverse teams - and especially more women - take this step and confidently claim their space in innovation. If you're hesitating to apply, take this as your sign: Step in, let your idea be challenged, and let it grow."

“Participating in the IDEAward is a unique opportunity to present innovative ideas on a prestigious platform. It allows participants to showcase their work to industry leaders, peers, and potential investors, fostering networking and collaboration. 
The award application provides feedback from experts, helping refine and develop ideas further. 
This was a great experience and we learned a lot about pitching, focusing on the important issues and how to plan and achieve the next milestones. 
Winning the third price was for us a huge achievement. It motivates us even more to continue this difficult journey of translating our diagnostic testing for early cancer stages into the clinical use.”

“The IDEAward was the right opportunity to tackle our project Muniqo Performante. It was great fun to go through the various stages and see how we and the project grew. The highlight is the public pitch at the end. It provides a stage and a platform to get other people excited about your idea and connect with them.”

“The IDEAward was the right opportunity to tackle our project Muniqo Performante. It was great fun to go through the various stages and see how we and the project grew. The highlight is the public pitch at the end. It provides a stage and a platform to get other people excited about your idea and connect with them.”

"The TUM IDEAward was a catalyst for our vision. It's not just a competition; it's a journey of transformation. With expert mentorship and a vibrant network, it turns innovative ideas into impactful realities. To all at TUM with a dream, this is your platform to soar. Apply, innovate, and change the world!"

“Our Project Quantum Diamonds emerged from our joint research work on quantum technology with diamonds at TUM. The actual idea of founding a startup only really developed through the TUM IDEAward. Until then, we thought it was a good idea, but the initial spark to spin it off was missing. By opening our eyes to our entrepreneurial spirit and showing us a way forward, the IDEAward has helped us massively to make our dream come true.”