TIE² - Asian Venture Program

TIE² (TUM Tsinghua International Innovation Entrepreneurship Exchange) offers TUM high-tech start-ups in the seed phase a unique opportunity to experience Asia's dynamic innovation and start-up ecosystems firsthand.

TIE² (TUM Tsinghua International Innovation Entrepreneurship Exchange) gives TUM high-tech start-ups in the seed phase a unique chance to dive into Asia's top innovation hubs: Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore. Discover new market opportunities for your idea while connecting with suppliers, partners, and potential customers. Each location represents distinct strengths: Beijing serves as a nexus for innovation and research, Shanghai excels as a hub for high-tech and manufacturing, and Singapore, as Asia's gateway, provides unparalleled access to the entire ASEAN region.

TIE² - Asian Venture Program 2025

At a glance

Date: April 19 – 30, 2025
Location: Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore
Places: 5 startups with two team members each (10 people in total)
Application period: January 1^st - February 2^nd, 2025
Funding: by TUM (with own contribution)

Provided services by TUM:

Round-trip flight, domestic transfers between Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore
Hotel (1 double room per 2-member team) at each location
Workshops, networking activities, location-specific input sessions, and best practices
Workspace at Tsinghua University in Beijing and Start2Group in Shanghai and Singapore
Partial catering during the program

Personal contributions:

Cost absorption for part of the meals
transportation costs to self-organized appointments

Conditions of participation:

You are a technology-based TUM Tech start-up with a product/service (not "just" an idea)
You have validated your core hypotheses with your customers (interviews, pilot tests, study) and defined a USP
Your founding team is already complete
At least one team member is part of TUM (student:in, scientist:in, employee:r or alumni)
You are not yet founded (unless you are currently EXIST funded)
You are pro-active and willing to organize a part of the program yourself (meet mentors, experts, peers)
You are willing to share your experience gained in the Asian Venture Program with other TUM start-ups (e.g. in incubator talks)

Application Criteria:

Pitch Deck AND Video Pitch in English (max. 3 minutes)
Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
Start-up one-pager/short description (1 page with name, team including competencies, product/service, market and customers). NOTE: The one-pager could be sent to Chinese mentors and experts
List of relevant contacts (up to 5 names of potential mentors, experts, customers or investors who are relevant to you in Beijing or Shenzhen