Tech Talent Program
Deep Tech Journey
By the end of this program, you will have solved a real industry problem, built a working prototype, and stepped into a community of engineers, founders, and makers. Free for students in Berlin and Brandenburg–and designed to open doors.
Kickstart your engineering
career in 12 weeks.
Week Program
5
Tech Challenges
Workshops
Personal Mentors
Students per Team
Is this for you?
Who we are looking for
No simulations. No textbook cases. In the Tech Talent Program, you join a hand-picked team of five students and spend 12 weeks solving a real challenge for a real company. You get access to MotionLab.Berlin's labs, a dedicated mentor duo, and a community of founders, engineers, and makers. The program ends with Graduation Day, where you present your work to the industry, and often walk away with your next opportunity.
We are looking for ...
students who want to build, not just study. Curious, hands-on, and ready to work in a team on something real.
Not sure you fit?
Apply anyway! We care more about attitude than perfect credentials. If you are curious and ready to build, we want to hear from you.
Stage
Bachelor's student (4th semester or above), Master's, or PhD student
Location
Currently enrolled at a university in Berlin or Brandenburg
Background
In Computer/Data Science, AI, IoT, Physics, Engineering, Design, or Business
Mindset
Ready to commit ~10 per week for 12 weeks to solve real problems with real teams
Challenge Givers
Companies our students have built for.
Pick your Challenge
Each team works on one real innovation case from a partner company. These are not toy problems. You will build, test, and ship a working prototype under real conditions.
Real Industry Challenges
Industrial Heating
How do you design a sealed chamber that holds vacuum and protective gas—while materials are heated to near 1,000 °C at extreme speed?
E-Mobility
How can one weatherproof unit combine charging, secure locking, and cashless payment for e-bikes—so every resident pays only for what they use?
HVAC / Vehicle Tech
How do you build an AC system for big construction and agricultural vehicles at +45°C—with climate-friendly refrigerants?
Smart Manufacturing
How do you build a production system that makes every product unique—at the cost of mass manufacturing?
Robotics
How do you design and build a four-legged robot from scratch—durable, affordable, and smart enough to learn to walk?
Are you a scale-up or corporate? Host a Tech Challenge with MotionLab.Berlin.
What you will do
Program Schedule
Bootcamp
Hands-on workshops in 3D printing, prototyping, IoT, and agile teamwork. You hit the ground running and leave ready to build.
Industry Challenge
Work in a team of five on your chosen challenge. Weekly check-ins with your company coach, bi-weekly mentoring, and free tickets to selected industry events.
Graduation Day
Present your prototype to industry partners, earn your certificate, and join the alumni network. Career Doors open here.
Early Bird Access
Sign up now to be the first in line
Application Phase
3 Aug 2026 -
6 Sep 2026
Applications opens
Announcement
21 Sep 2026
Announcement of participants
Program Duration
28 Sep 2026
Batch 9 kicks off!
Program End
Graduation Day: mid-December 2026
What you get
Benefits
Real-World Testing
You'll test your prototype under real-world conditions, just like in industry.
Weekly Challenge Meetings
Insider know-how in weekly team sessions with your tech challenge coaches.
Workshops & Know-How
Everything from AI to communication, in workshops led by industry experts—plus a certificate at the end that shows you can deliver under real conditions.
Free Tickets to Fairs & Events
Free access to MotionLab.Berlin events, plus selected industry fairs and conferences at no cost.
Certificate & Portfolio Project
A real project you built and showcased. Plus a certificate that shows you can deliver under real conditions, not just in theory.
Career Pathways
Direct connections to internships, thesis opportunities, and first jobs at partner companies and the wider MotionLab.Berlin ecosystem.
Apply now
Universities
FAQ
Your Questions
What is the Tech Talent Program?
A free 12-week deep tech program for students in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Dresden. You work in a team of five on a real industry challenge from a Scale-Up or SME, with access to MotionLab.Berlin’s labs, mentors, and workshops throughout.
Who can apply?
Bachelor’s students from at least the 4th semester, master’s and PHD students at universities in Berlin or Brandenburg. We welcome students from STEM fields, computer science, economics, architecture, and design
How do I apply?
Choose the challenge that fits your interests and submit your application through the form. If your profile is a match, we’ll invite you for a short interview to talk through your skills, motivation, and availability.
Once confirmed, you’re in – show up, build, and get started.
Can non-EU or exchange students apply?
Is the program really free?
Yes. There is no cost to participate. You get full lab access, workshops, mentoring, and event tickets at no charge.
Where does it take place?
Primarily at MotionLab.Berlin’s Campus Alt-Treptow in Berlin. Some challenges may involve visits to partner company locations.
What language is the program in?
How much time do I need per week?
Expect to commit between 10 to 20 hours per week. The bootcamp weeks are intensive. Plan accordingly before applying.
I have exams or a part-time job. Can I still join?
It depends on the overlap. We recommend being honest in your application about your availability. We look for full commitment during the program.
What will I actually build?
A working prototype addressing a real challenge from one of our partner companies. Past teams have built AI detection systems, smart sensor prototypes, automated test stations, and more.
How does the application and selection work?
Can I apply with friends?
Do I get a certificate or ECTS credits?
What about IP and NDAs?
Are materials and machine training included?
Yes. All materials needed for your challenge and access to machine training are covered.
Do I get mentors and career support?
What happens after Graduation Day?
You join the alumni network and talent pool. Many participants go on to internships, thesis projects, or full-time roles at partner companies or ecosystem startups.
What Alumni say
Voice
Tech Talent Program
"The Tech Talent Program was valuable for us because it brought a fresh perspective to an existing engineering challenge. Within just 12 weeks, the team iterated towards an MVP that would have taken us significantly longer internally. Beyond the technical results, we also met exceptional talent: two of the students have since joined DiaMonTech, making the program valuable not only for innovation, but also for recruiting. We would recommend the program to companies with a clearly defined challenge and an open mind about how to solve it."
Dr. Michael Kaluza
CTO DiaMonTech AG
Voice
Tech Talent Program
"MotionLab.Berlin opened the doors of Berlin's entrepreneurial world — and welcomed me into the most vibrant, kind, and talented community I could have imagined. I've gained a sense of direction I hadn't anticipated even during my academic journey. It feels like my German alma mater."
Erandi Sotelo
Participant Batch #7
Voice
Tech Talent Program
"The best part for me was that none of it stayed theoretical. We built hardware for a real industrial use case — sensor kits that get deployed on concrete mixer trucks. The program was intense and hands-on, with a steep learning curve. MotionLab.Berlin turned out to be a great place to mix practical engineering with startup life and a real community."
Linas Häßler
Participant Batch #8
Voice
Tech Talent Program
"MotionLab.Berlin did not just teach me tech – it taught me to thrive in the storm."
Mandeep Karn
Participant Batch #7
Voice
Tech Talent Program
"The program not only allowed me to apply the skills I gained during my studies but also introduced me to the vibrant MotionLab.Berlin community and Berlin’s dynamic startup ecosystem."
Ahmed Omar
Participant Batch #7
MotionLab.Berlin is Germany’s premier Innovation Hub & Makerspace – an ecosystem for Hardtech, art, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
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