Helping Disruptive Technologies Commercialize in Europe
The Hermann Hauser Frontier Lab is a high-caliber program for ambitious deep tech founders ready to scale transformative companies, sharpen their execution, and build at the frontier of science and entrepreneurship.
September 8–12, 2025, Tyrol, Austria
Since 2015, we have hosted a one-week Summer School for cutting-edge founders in Tyrol, Austria originally under the name I.E.C.T. Summer School on Entrepreneurship.
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Guided by highly renowned mentors from Cambridge and beyond, this program has supported 300+ deep tech entrepreneurs working on groundbreaking technologies at the earliest stages. In 2025, we are entering a new era:
The Summer School becomes the Hermann Hauser Frontier Lab a name that reflects both our roots and our ambition.
Hermann Hauser, Austrian-British physicist, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist, embodies what we believe in: Thinking exponentially. Building at the frontier. Creating companies that redefine industries. Often called the “Godfather of Silicon Fen” or even the “English Steve Jobs”, Hermann has been at the forefront of deep tech innovation for decades from personal computing to quantum technologies.
Because Tyrol is where professional ambition and quality of life converge. It’s a place where you can meet a Nobel laureate in the morning and go trail running in the Alps in the afternoon. It’s a place for people who dare to build and live differently.
What We Focus On, Where Others Stay Silent
Our program goes beyond fundraising pitches and networking events. We address the uncomfortable truths that make the difference between success and stagnation, especially for deep tech founders coming out of academia. Here’s what we work on:
1
Deep tech innovation is powerful but without real customer feedback, you’re guessing. We push you to leave the lab and engage directly with your future market, even if it means pivoting early.
2
Investors don’t just fund technologies; they fund stories they believe in. We help you craft a compelling narrative that communicates your value, not your complexity.
3
Your product might be brilliant but if your materials don’t look the part, you’ll be ignored. From pitch decks to first impressions: design is not an afterthought, it’s part of your credibility.
4
Startups are living organisms. Sometimes you’ll need to bring in stronger operators. We prepare you to manage power dynamics inside your own company, before they manage you.
5
You need to meet venture standards. We teach you what VCs expect in terms of structure, incentives, and scalability so you don’t get filtered out in the first minute.
Who should apply?
We are looking for founders who are serious about building companies that scale, not just technologies that work. This program is for founders who are willing to leave their comfort zone, move fast, and sharpen their execution.
We are not here to hold your hand. We are here to push you, to help you build something real, raise capital effectively, and become a team that investors want to back. If you are planning to raise a pre-seed or seed round within the next 6–12 months, and if you are ready to learn what it takes to win in the real world of venture capital, this is for you. These are the verticals we are excited to help you disrupt:
AI-Optimized fusion energy & superconductors
Autonomous, AI-controlled mobility networks
Silent, undetectable aircrafts
Hypersonic & Hydrogen-based propulsion systems
Self-healing, adaptive vehicles & infrastructure
Ultrascalable, energy-efficient AI supercomputing
Photonic and optical processors for high-performance computing
Neuromorphic chips and AI hardware modeled on the human brain
Molecular and DNA-based information processing system
Self-adapting evolutionary hardware architectures
Autonomous, AI-controlled space factories
Self-assembling & programmable space structures
Post-GPS quantum navigation
Technologies to secure the earth
Autonomous AI agents with self-improvement
AI-native scientific discoveries & theoretical research
Self-writing AI-developed software & code
Personalized edge AI & localized models
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for integration
AI-native development of drugs and proteins
Autonomous self propagating bioproduction systems
Programmable self optimizing cells and organisms
Radical regenartive biotechnologies and longevity systems
Fully automated genetic engineering through AI-controlled optimization
Post-cryptographic quantum networks
AI-Assisted quantum sensor technology
AI-native quantum systems
Quantum Semiconductor hybrid chips
Scalable quantum error correction & fault tolerance
Everything you should know
Program Timeline
All selected participants will take part in an online briefing and onboarding session in August to align expectations and prepare for the on-site experience.
Join us in person from September 8–12, 2025, for an intensive week of collaboration and learning in Tyrol — surrounded by peers, mentors, experts, and investors.
The week culminates in Demo Day on Thursday, where you’ll pitch your venture to a curated group of investors and corporate partners aligned with your growth trajectory.
After Innsbruck, we continue with a follow-up session 3 months later to help you implement feedback, connect with investors, and keep building momentum.
Participation
Each participating company sends one dedicated team member to represent and drive progress during the program.
This program is for founders planning to raise a pre-seed or seed round within the next 6–12 months. If you’re building a deep tech venture and preparing to engage investors, this is your next step. We’re particularly looking for startups innovating in the following verticals:
- Energy & New Mobility
- Space & Security
- TechBio & SynBio
- New Compute
- AI & Data Science
- Quantum Technology
The program fee is €2,600 (excluding VAT and accommodation), covering all content, mentoring, and resources.
Designed to Accelerate Deep Tech Founders
This program is for founders planning to raise a pre-seed or seed round within the next 6–12 months. If you’re building a deep tech venture and preparing to engage investors, this is your next step. We’re particularly looking for startups innovating in the following verticals:
Engage directly with seasoned founders, VCs, and operators from Cambridge and the frontier tech scene, not just speakers with slides.
We’ve spent a decade supporting start-ups at the intersection of science and company-building, we understand your journey, because it’s our specialty.
Join a growing community of deep tech entrepreneurs, with access to mentors, investors, and peer support long after the program ends.
This is a fast-paced environment for founders who are raising soon. We cut the fluff and focus on what actually moves you forward.
Application Process
Applications will be evaluated by our team and an expert jury. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to callback rounds and an online interview before final selections are made.
Required Documents for Your Application:
- Pitch Deck
- Preliminary Business Plan
Application Deadline: July 15th, 2025
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