Turn Research into IP & Opportunity
iF Invent is a hands-on, AI-supported workshop for researchers who want to understand where their research could create value in society. Over 2.5 onsite days in Hamburg plus a short online onboarding, participants translate their research into functions, problems, application fields, protectable IP and first exploitation pathways. No prior startup, IP or innovation experience is required.
The Essentials
Everything you need to know about the format, schedule, and commitment.
Next cohort: 25–27 September 2026
Deadline: 6. September 2026
The format is designed for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career and senior researchers working on a specific research topic, technology, method, dataset, or scientific result. It is aimed at individuals or small research teams seeking a low-barrier opportunity to explore potential application areas, intellectual property relevance, and technology transfer pathways. Researchers from science, engineering, life sciences, computer science, AI, materials, sustainability, and other deep-tech or research-driven fields are encouraged to participate. No prior experience with startups, patents, or commercialization is required - only curiosity and an interest in innovation.
The program is not intended for individuals seeking general startup inspiration without a research or technology foundation, or for teams that already operate a validated startup and primarily require support with acceleration, fundraising, or sales. It also does not provide formal legal advice on intellectual property, patent drafting, or binding patentability assessments. In addition, researchers who are unable to share even a non-confidential version of their work due to publication, intellectual property, or institutional constraints may not be able to benefit fully from the program.
Early Transfer Starts Before the Startup Idea
Most researchers are trained to evaluate novelty scientifically, not exploitation potential. Promising research often remains unexplored because early IP, use-case and market assessment feels too specialized, too legalistic or too far away from everyday scientific work.
iF Invent closes that gap with AI-supported patent data, innovation logic and expert guidance. Participants learn to see their research as a problem-solving capability, identify possible application worlds and understand what might become valuable or protectable.
The format strengthens the earliest stage of science transfer: before incorporation, before acceleration and often before a patent or transfer decision. It creates better starting points for future IP strategy, technology transfer, industry collaboration, customer discovery or venture development.
Program Journey
A structured journey from scientific result to first exploitation thesis.
Prepare & Onboard
Frame the Research as a Solution
Explore Application Fields
Refine IP & Value Logic
Pitch & Decide Next Steps
From Scientific Curiosity to Application Thesis
By the end of iF Invent, participants have a structured assessment of their research’s innovation potential, including application areas, IP and protectability considerations, patent landscape insights, technology white spaces, and promising use cases. The outcome is a concise opportunity thesis and pitch that provides a strong basis for discussions with technology transfer offices, industry partners, patent experts, potential co-founders, or follow-up Impossible Founders programs.
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 format is delivered by a compact expert team combining innovation logic, IP strategy, technology commercialization and AI-supported patent-data analysis.
Former Head of the Entrepreneurs Campus at Ulm University and former Head of Research Activation for NXTGN Startup Factory. Birgit combines a PhD in Innovation Management, university incubator experience, startup ecosystem building and hands-on work on science-to-market formats, design sprints, innovation portfolios and AI-supported entrepreneurial learning.
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Managing Director of AdvInno and TLB GmbH, with a long track record in technology transfer, IP commercialization, IP strategy, startup coaching and technology-based business models. Christian brings deep experience in evaluating, structuring and exploiting complex technologies, including life sciences.
Founder and CEO of Profun AI and expert in patent-data-driven innovation logic. Simon works at the intersection of systematic innovation, data-driven creativity and artificial intelligence, translating patent and language data into tools and decision frameworks for exploring disruptive innovation and reducing uncertainty.
Selection & Access
iF Invent is planned as a cohort-based workshop for researchers and students with a research topic, technology, method, data set or scientific result they want to assess. Access can be organized through an open call, partner nomination or a combined pipeline.
Applications are short and practical: academic background, research topic or technology, motivation, and where known - publication/IP status. Prior startup or IP experience is not required.
Selection focuses on topic fit, motivation, and scientific background. The program does not provide legal IP advice.
iF Invent FAQs
PhD students, postdocs, early-career researchers and researchers who want to assess the exploitation potential of their own research, technology, method or data-based insight.
No. iF Invent starts before a startup idea exists. The format helps you understand whether your research might hold application, IP, or transfer potential.
No. The workshop is designed as a low-barrier entry point. Core concepts are introduced during the format.
A short description of your research or technology, your scientific background and any non-confidential material that helps the mentors understand your topic.
No. The format gives a structured first orientation on protectability, IP value and opportunity spaces. Formal patent decisions require your institution’s TTO support. Impossible Founders is happy to assist you in the following process.
The workshop will be a safe space for sharing and exploring your research for value creation. Participants will sign a confidentiality / non-disclosure agreement that they will not share, disclose or otherwise act upon information shared by the other participants.
The workshop uses AULIVE Patentinspiration for patent-data analysis and innovation logic.
There is no participation fee.
The course language will be English.
Participants receive feedback on their opportunity thesis and can be guided toward follow-up support such as technology transfer offices, IP strategy support, and further Impossible Founders programs.
Explore the Hidden Potential of Your Research
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