Get Oriented and Shape First Ideas
The iF Sprint is a 48-hour experience designed to explore ideas, build teams, and try out what it feels like to create a startup. Over one weekend, you’ll collaborate, experiment, learn from mentors, and present your idea in a final pitch.
The Essentials
Everything you need to know about the format, schedule, and commitment.
All meals and drinks included
Next iF Sprint: 3-5 July 2026
Anyone interested in startups and innovation is welcome to join — students and non-students alike, from developers and designers to marketers, engineers, and aspiring founders. What matters most is motivation, curiosity, and the willingness to develop a business model from an idea within a short time.
Note: Participants must be at least 18 years old to attend the event.
The iF Sprint is designed for exploring new ideas and experiencing the early stages of building a startup. It is not intended for founders or teams who already have an established startup, a fully formed team, or a venture that is already operating.
Entrepreneurship in Action
The iF Sprint lets participants experience what it’s like to build a startup under real pressure. Teams test ideas, validate assumptions, and iterate quickly in a safe, hands-on environment. The program sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and connects tech-minded talents, helping grow Hamburg’s Deep Tech startup ecosystem.
Program Journey
In just 48 hours, participants move from idea to pitch, engaging in a fast-paced process of development. Through a blend of hands-on workshops, expert guidance, and team collaboration, concepts evolve and are prepared for the final presentation.
Friday: Kickoff & Team Formation
Saturday: Build, Learn & Iterate
Sunday: Pitch & Finale
A Taste of Entrepreneurship
By the end of the sprint, each team will have developed a very basic MVP and present their idea on stage. The program is designed as a first hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship - a chance to explore what it feels like to build and pitch a startup. Participants are not expected to continue their ideas afterwards, but many choose to build on the entrepreneurial mindset and experience gained during the weekend.
Program Schedule
From workshops to key events, the schedule shows the program’s progression from start to finish.
Selection & Access
There are no selection criteria for the iF Sprint. Participation is open to anyone curious about entrepreneurship, with or without an idea. Tickets are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis - sign up to get informed when registration opens.
Meet the Mentors & Coaches
Throughout the weekend, experienced mentors from different areas will be available to guide you and help you develop your idea into a clear concept.
Dr. Uve Samuels ist als Diplom Ingenieur, Mechatroniker und promovierter Microsystemtechniker Experte für Exponentielle Effekte in Technologie und Wirtschaft. Als ehemaliger Geschäftsführer der privaten Hochschule der Hamburger Wirtschaft, der HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration und als CEO des Exponential Innovation Institute besitzt ein umfangreiches Netzwerk in der Wirtschaft und Erfahrung aus der Begleitung von über 100 Startups.
Andreas Kitzing is a serial entrepreneur and growth strategist with more than 15 years of experience building and scaling B2B businesses. As Founder & CEO of Sponsoo, he grew the company from an initial idea into the world’s largest digital marketplace for sports sponsorship, serving over 25,000 clients worldwide. Prior to founding Sponsoo, Andreas worked as a management consultant and earned his MBA from the University of Cambridge. His expertise spans B2B marketplaces, go-to-market strategy, sales and partnerships, product-led growth, fundraising, software development, and international business expansion.
Heidrun Twesten is an entrepreneur, executive advisor, business angel, and certified Designing Your Life Coach (Stanford University). As Managing Director of Impacct GmbH since 2002, she advises startups, scale-ups, and blue-chip companies on capital markets and transformation processes. With more than 20 years of experience in the startup ecosystem, she has supported numerous companies through growth and IPO journeys and actively mentors founders across national and international programs.
Claudio (M. Sc. Molecular Biosciences University of Heidelberg) has been working in bio-inspired technologies for more than 10 years and is co-founder and CEO of Mimotype, a bionanotechnology company that deploys optically active matter for tissue engineering, soft robotics and materials science.
Lorenz Jellinghaus is partner at LUTZ | ABEL in Hamburg and is one of the leading lawyers for Venture Capital in Germany. With his team he is supporting start-ups, founders and investors in financing rounds and exit-transactions.
Timo Christian ist Physiker und Program Manager mit Fokus auf Science-to-Market. Nach seinem Physikstudium an der Universität Heidelberg baute er am DESY in Hamburg Innovationsprogramme für Forschende mit auf und vermittelte Spitzenforschung an unterschiedliche Zielgruppen. Seit 2026 stärkt er als Program Manager bei Impossible Founders Wissenschaftler:innen auf ihrem Weg zu wirkungsorientierten Deep-Tech-Gründungen.
Rita Katona is a Cyprus and Berlin based tech entrepreneur, angel investor, and startup mentor with nearly 10 years of experience coaching and advising early stage founders. She has founded two tech startups in Germany and held leading marketing and growth roles at Rocket Internet ventures and ZOLLHOF, one of Germany’s fastest growing startup incubators.
Through continuous hands on work with well known early stage accelerators like Startup Wise Guys and Plug and Play, Rita now focuses on startup support and advisory, helping founders with go to market strategy, market validation, B2B sales, investor readiness, and turning early traction into scalable growth.
Take the Next Step
Shape the future of Deep Tech with us. Start today.
