programs & events
Expand your horizons with our events and programs. Here, you can gain new knowledge, explore skills you’ve always wanted to develop, and connect with our community and experts. Check out our event calendar and programs, and be part of the experience!
join our events
Meet us @Biovaria
April 27, 2026 — April 28, 2026 / 8:30 am
BioVaria targets technology scouts, business developers and investors highlighting commercially attractive licensing opportunities and promising startups from across Europe.
This unique event brings together Europe‘s leading tech transfer professionals, innovators from academia and startups with investors and representatives of the global biotech and pharma industry in Munich.
Deep Dive - From research to approval: MDR/IVDR compliance without detours
April 30, 2026 / 4:30 pm
For scientific founders, the transition from research to regulated product development is often a black box. In this deep dive with Dr. Sebastian Grömminger, you'll learn how to think about MDR/IVDR requirements in the early stages of development, what documentation really counts, and how modern tools can help you save time and money. You'll learn which three documents speed up your approval, which common mistakes start-ups can cost months, and how to use regulatory strategy as a competitive advantage.
Meet us @HTGF Family Days
May 11, 2026 — May 12, 2026 / 8:00 am
The HTGF Family Day is the most important portfolio event of High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) – a two-day industry gathering that brings together up to 1,500 people from HTGF portfolio startups, investors, companies, and ecosystem partners in Berlin to shape the next chapter of Europe.
Meet us @Lift-Off
May 28, 2026 / 6:00 pm
The LIFT-OFF start-up competition at the University of Göttingen is aimed at both those interested in starting a business and active founders from all disciplines. It is accompanied by workshops, events, and a mentoring program in the field of entrepreneurship. In addition to invaluable inspiration and experience, there are also attractive cash and non-cash prizes to be won, which are awarded by a jury. We are delighted to support the competition with our sponsored special prize, “Life Science.” The award ceremony will take place on May 28, 2026.
ELSA Pitch Bowl
June 25, 2026 / 5:30 pm
The final event of the Entrepreneural Life Science Accelerator program.
In 3-minute pitches, the founding teams present their development in the areas of idea, market, and team, and receive on-stage feedback and critical questions from an experienced investor jury, which awards a prize to the most promising team. A joint closing with snacks and drinks rounds off the evening and will offer space for exchange and networking.
Mentor Match Meetup
September 17, 2026 / 4:30 pm
Our Mentor Match program is continuing successfully and is supported by our partners IHK Göttingen, the University's Transfer & Startup Hub, and the Life Science Factory. At our annual Mentor Match Meetup on site, it's time once again to deepen the dialogue and look back on successes achieved through innovation, expertise, know-how, and above all, entrepreneurial spirit.
The focus is on networking and personal exchange: We are pleased to invite start-ups and corporate partners to our Mentor Match Meetup, which will take place on September 17, 2026, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Historic Observatory Göttingen (Geismar Landstraße 11).
The agenda includes a unique opportunity to get to know the members of our 1:1 matching concept even better and to make valuable contacts. We also offer exciting ideas and workshops on the topic of entrepreneurship.
Meet us @BioEurope
November 09, 2026 — November 11, 2026 / 8:00 am
BIO-Europe, Europe's leading partnering event for the life sciences industry, will take place in Cologne from November 9 to 11, 2026. Around a thousand experts from the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as investors from all over the world, will come together to form innovative partnerships and discuss industry trends. The event offers inspiring keynotes and panel discussions, as well as numerous opportunities for one-on-one meetings via the proven partneringONE system.
Accelerator programs
Entrepreneurial Life Science Accelerator
The Entrepreneurial Life Science Accelerator ELSA program helps life science startups shape their business ideas to make them viable and propel them to the next level in the shortest possible time. As a continuation of the former AHEAD Life Science Track, the program is conducted by the Life Science Factory in collaboration with our partner Fraunhofer, Helmholtz Munich and H3 Health Hub. Selected life science start-ups receive free support in a condensed period of 3x2 days, focusing on technology, market and customer understanding, as well as strategy and investor outreach.
mentor match
In the business world, innovation and experience are equally crucial for long-term success. Our 1:1 mentoring program pairs start-ups from the Life Science Factory with experienced mentors from IHK-affiliated industrial companies to create win-win situations and provide tailored mentoring and reverse mentoring. We prioritize quality over quantity, thus, we follow a "matching as a service" approach, carefully selecting the right contacts for each other to ensure each partnership delivers the maximum benefit.
Conferences & Events
Sahlgrenska global health hackathon
The Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is a global initiative aimed at catalyzing solutions to pressing health challenges. The hackathon will make stops in six countries across three continents, with the Life Science Factory in Göttingen proud to host the event in Germany.
Investor matching
Our Investor Days is not only a forum for sharing ideas, but also a platform for potential partnerships. Bringing together startups at the forefront of innovation in areas such as drug development, therapeutics, tools, medtech, food, agritech and more, with investors looking for promising collaborations.
Future of life sciences
The Life Science Factory established a new Vertical, focusing on the "Future of Life Sciences". The event offers insights into the market perspective, investors' point of view, new leadership lessons, and success stories from leading life science entrepreneurs in the biotech and medtech industries.
LIFT-OFF startup competition
This competition, sponsored by the University of Göttingen, is aimed both at people interested in creating a startup and at active founders, in all sectors.
ELSA Pitch Bowl
The ELSA Pitch Bowl is the public pitch event of the Entrepreneurial Life Science Accelerator (ELSA) program, organized by the Life Science Factory in collaboration with Fraunhofer, Helmholtz Munich, and the H3 Health Hub, held at the end of the program.
life science start-up day
In Germany, startups are gaining more attention all the time, and “startup founder” is now widely seen as a realistic career option. However, researchers and startups in the life sciences face special challenges when it comes to implementing technology transfer and establishing themselves in the market.
Conversation & Workshop
leading life science entrepreneurs talks
Every startup has its own unique story to tell. As part of our "Leading Life-Science Entrepreneurs Talk" series, we speak with inspiring founders and hear exciting startup stories that encourage listeners to found startups themselves, and not to give up when the going gets tough.
Young entrepreneurs in science
The aim of this program is to open up new career and development perspectives for highly qualified scientists who want to become entrepreneurs before or soon after completing their doctorate. Applying both design thinking and interdisciplinary teamwork, participants are encouraged to discover their existing skills as well as their potential.
3d printing
In this learning module, we give you a thorough grounding in the various 3D printing technologies so you can turn your ideas into reality. Whether it’s your first sample from FDM printing or high-quality functional prototypes from the polyjet printer, we cover all the 3D printing technologies available at the Maker’s Factory and give you a glimpse into the wider world of possibilities available in the field of 3D printing.
cutting & engraving
From data generation in the vector graphics program, to the cutting plotter, to the laser cutter. In this learning field we focus on the 2D area. We deal with cutting, marking and engraving a wide range of materials.
3d data generation
In our introductory program, we want to give you a solid grounding in the many possibilities within the Maker’s Factory. We want to work together in a hands-on format in four learning areas on the knowledge you need to realise your own project on this site.
cnc milling
From wood to aluminum to plastic materials; from semi-CNC entry on the shaper to CNC milling on the portal milling machine, we want to introduce you step by step to this widely used manufacturing technology. In addition to 3D printing, we offer you the possibility to realise your idea from materials other than thermoplastics.
Meet us here
Bio-europe
We are excited to bring the Life Science Factory to Bio-Europe, aiming to expand our international network. This event presents an excellent opportunity for potential partners to discover how we can collaboratively drive success in the life sciences sector. Visit us at our booth to discuss innovative solutions tailored to your needs.
biovaria
As sponsors of this life sciences event, we are excited to support innovative startups and engage with leading industry experts.
Durchstarter-Preis
As part of an initiative jointly sponsored by Lower Saxony's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Housing and Digitalisation; the Ministry of Science and Culture; the NBank; the "startup.niedersachsen" initiative, and the UVN – Lower Saxony's organization of employers' and trade associations – the state of Lower Saxony will be selecting the best startups.
LIFT-OFF startup competition
This competition, sponsored by the University of Göttingen, is aimed both at people interested in creating a startup and at active founders, in all sectors.
SynBio World Cafe
This is an annual series of events that brings together key players from science and industry to discuss the current state and the future of synthetic biology in Germany.
Past Events
Sprind podcast live on stage in göttingen
On September 06, 2023, the Life Science Factory invites innovation lovers, startup enthusiasts and visionaries nationwide when the renowned SPRIND podcast from the Federal Leap Innovation Agency will be recorded live on a stage for the first time.
Investor Days Thuringia
Thuringia Investor Days are held once a year, bringing startups and investors together. The aim of the event is to highlight new innovations, create new collaborations, and generate the best possible deal flow. Last year the Pitch Stage platformed as many as 36 startups and scaleups.
Analytica / Finance Days
In the wake of the pandemic, there seems to be more money in the market than ever before. In recent years, increasingly large funds have been launched, and the amounts being invested are also growing. Does this trend give cause for hope that there will be more startups and more dynamic growth across the entire industry?
Bits & Pretzels Healthtech
Bits & Pretzels HealthTech puts the spotlight on start-ups. It's a gathering of the best founders and investors; healthcare providers; medtech, pharma, and insurance executives; tech giants, and policy makers. The goal is to work together to shape the future of healthcare.
BIONNALE
BIONNALE is the largest networking event for the life sciences and healthcare industry in the German capital region. We are pleased to be a Gold Sponsor again in 2023.
Life Science Day in Lower Saxony
Over the past seven years, Life Science Day in Lower Saxony has become the unmissable event where people in the life science sector from the around the state get together, and many guests from further afield are welcomed as well.
Bits & Pretzels
Bits & Pretzels is a three-day conference for folks who have founded startups and those who would like to, held in Munich between mid-September and early October.
Deutsche Biotechnologietage
The German Biotechnology Days will take place on 28 and 29 March 2023 in Wiesbaden. The event is a national forum for the German biotechnology sector, where entrepreneurs exchange ideas with scientists and partners from politics, funding institutions and administration.
Wildcard Challenge
Do you have a sound idea for a startup? Is your idea embedded in the field of life sciences (biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, etc.)? Do you want to develop your idea with excellent coaches and get straightforward feedback? Then you are a perfect contestant for our Accelerator Wildcard Challenge!
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