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About iF

Where Deep Tech Companies Are Built

Impossible Founders is a Deep Tech factory.
We turn scientific breakthroughs into scalable companies.
By connecting universities, founders, capital and industry.
Building the next generation of Deep Tech ventures in Europe.

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From Science to Venture
Why Deep Tech

Deep Tech Determines Europe’s Future

Deep Tech innovations — from AI and quantum technologies to climate tech and advanced materials — will shape the next generation of industries. They emerge from scientific research and require long development cycles, significant capital and close collaboration between science, founders and industry. Turning these breakthroughs into successful companies remains one of the key challenges for Europe’s innovation ecosystem.

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The Challenge

The Real Challenge Is Not Invention – It's Scaling

Europe produces world-class research and promising Deep Tech startups. But too few of these ventures grow into global technology companies. Many founders face a fragmented landscape of support, funding and industry access. As a result, breakthrough innovations often remain in the lab or scale elsewhere.

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Our Approach: The Factory Model

Impossible Founders operates a Deep Tech factory.

Impossible Founders builds the infrastructure needed to turn scientific breakthroughs into companies.
We connect universities, founders, capital and industry in a structured system designed for Deep Tech.
Through programs, venture support and ecosystem collaboration, we help transform research into scalable ventures.

Our goal: more Deep Tech companies built in Europe.

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Our shareholders and sponsors share a common goal:
building the future of Deep Tech in Europe.
Hamburg’s universities, research institutions and public partners create the conditions that turn scientific discovery into entrepreneurial impact.
Our Partners

Partners Building the Future of Deep Tech

Universities, research institutions, companies, foundations and public partners work together to turn scientific discovery into entrepreneurial impact.

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Advisory Board

Strategic Oversight and Guidance

Impossible Founders is supported by an advisory board composed of experienced leaders from academia, industry and public institutions. The board provides strategic oversight, advises on the long-term development of the organisation and ensures that Impossible Founders operates in line with its mission to strengthen Deep Tech entrepreneurship.

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  • Prof. Dr. Jetta Frost, Vice President, University of Hamburg
  • Dr. Dorothea Ringe, Director Entrepreneurship, Joachim Herz Foundation
  • Jan Pörksen, Head of the Senate Chancellery and Personnel Office, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
  • Tom Korn, Chief of Staff to Benjamin Otto, Otto Group & Michael Otto Stiftung

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Advisory Board
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Why Hamburg

Hamburg Has the Foundation for Deep Tech Leadership

Hamburg brings together strong universities, world-class research and a powerful industrial economy. With thousands of researchers, a large student population and significant investment in science and innovation, the city has the potential to become one of Europe's leading Deep Tech hubs.

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120,000+
Students
at Hamburg’s universities.
Thousands specialising in science, technology and research.
50+
Universities and research institutions.
Driving innovation across disciplines.
€150B+
GDP
of the Hamburg metropolitan region.
A global economic hub with strong industry.
6,000+
Researchers
advancing science and technology.
Working across Hamburg’s leading institutions.
€1B+
Investment in science and innovation
each year.
Across public and private research and development.
25+
Research centers
in Deep Tech fields.
Including AI, climate tech, life sciences and materials.
The Team

The People Building Impossible Founders

Impossible Founders is built by a growing team of entrepreneurs, operators and ecosystem builders. Since our official start in November 2025, the team has expanded rapidly as we work to turn scientific breakthroughs into scalable companies. Today, more than 15 people are building the foundation of Impossible Founders.

Team
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Lena Sofie Gericke
Lena Sofie Gericke
CFO | COO
Arik Willner
Arik Willner
CEO
Juliane Elsner
Juliane Elsner
Chief of Staff
Careers

Join Us

We are building the foundation for the next generation of Deep Tech companies. Join our growing team and help turn scientific breakthroughs into scalable ventures.

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Ready to Build the Future of Deep Tech?

Impossible Founders supports researchers, founders and Deep Tech teams in turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable ventures through structured programs and long-term support.

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