BSR - Toolbox
The Think–Learn–Act approach helps you move forward step by step on your entrepreneurial journey. It encourages you to reflect on your ideas, build relevant knowledge, and put learning into practice in a structured way.
Start by using the Self-Assessment Tool to identify your current maturity level. This will guide you to the learning path that best matches your experience.
Work through the cycle at your own pace — think, learn, and act, then repeat. Each iteration helps you better understand your progress, strengthen your skills, and decide what to focus on next.
no Experience, no Idea
THINK
1. Developing innovative ideas
2. Inspiration from real-world experiences
3. Introduction to technology-based entrepreneurship:
a. Definition and significance of technology-based entrepreneurship
b. Overview of the startup ecosystem and available resources
4. Financial planning and financing:
Scholarships and grants for access to startup resources
5. Finding mentors and working with them
6. Lectures by successful tech entrepreneurs and industry leaders
7. Information on available support services
8. Regular meetings with industry experts, investors, and other founders
LEARN
Optik Spezialisierung im Masterstudiengang Physik – HU Berlin
Master of Optical Sciences at HU Berlin
Master in Optical Sciences at Humboldt University of Berlin
Laser Science and Photonics (B.Sc.) at BHT Berlin
Berlin School of Optical Sciences and Quantum Technologies (BOS.QT) at TU Berlin
Unicorn Bakery – Founder Interviews
Startup Valley – Gründerwissen
ACT
Photonics Days Berlin Brandenburg
You can find out more about careers in STEM (training and degree programs related to mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology) at numerous vocatium fairs.
special in Berlin-Adlershof for Photonics: T5 JobMesse – Berlin 2026
Pitch Deck Magazin – Erfolgstories
no Experience, one Idea
THINK
1. Innovative business models
2. Fundamentals of intellectual property: understanding patents, copyrights, and trademarks
3. Inspiration from experience
4. Fundamentals of financing: financial planning and funding: scholarships and grants for access to start-up resources
5. Idea generation and recognizing business opportunities:
a. Identifying market needs and technological solutions
b. Evaluating the commercial potential of scientific research
6. Developing business models
7. Finding and working with mentors
8. Lectures by successful tech entrepreneurs and industry leaders
9. Practical exercises in business planning, prototyping, etc.
10. Legal and regulatory considerations:
a. Understanding the regulatory framework in the tech industry
b. Compliance and risk management for tech startups
11. Information on available support services
12. Regular meetings with industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs
LEARN
“from PhD to CEO” – seminar series called “PhD2CEO” organized by OptecBB, focusing on transitioning from a PhD to a CEO role, specifically within the context of the photonics Industry.
Silicon Allee – Deep Tech Venture Lab
Pioneer Lab – Entrepreneur Academy
Idea & Experience
THINK
1. Financial planning and financing: budgeting and financial forecasting for tech Startups
2. Intellectual property: understanding patents, copyrights, and trademarks
3. Idea generation and identifying business opportunities:
a. Identifying market needs and technological solutions
b. Evaluating the commercial potential of scientific Research
4. Developing business models
5. Innovative business models
6. Validation and testing: Market analysis techniques in the tech Industry
7. Marketing and sales
8. Creating a compelling pitch for tech Startups
9. Building a professional network in the tech industry
10. Finding and working with Mentors
11. Practical exercises in business planning, prototyping, etc.
12. Legal and regulatory framework:
a. Understanding the regulatory framework in technology industries
b. Compliance and risk management for technology Startups
13. Team building and leadership:
a. Building and managing technical teams
b. Leadership skills for technology Entrepreneurs
14. Information on available support services and incubators
15. Regular meetings with industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs
LEARN
Business idea
Market Discovery program is a successful program leading to exposing startups to different markets.
Berlin startup school provides end-to-end solutions from ideation to presentation the program has direct consultations with experts and scheduled.
Team Building
The Berlin startup Academy focuses on building a team and delivering an output within three months the team is multidisciplinary.
EXIST – Start-ups from the Academic World
ACT
Talent Acquisition
Berlin Partner talent acquisition Services
Marketing and Sales
Silicon Allee is a network – to help you find co-founders, office spaces, new opportunities, and stay up-to-date on tech news and advice
Berlin partner Business Services
Centre for Entrepreneurship, TU Berlin
Startup-News, Fundings, Exits, VC
Pitch Deck Magazin – Founder-Interviews & Investoren
Business model
THINK
1. Financing
2. IP Management
3. IP protection strategies for deep tech innovations
4. Validation and testing: Market research and validation:
a. Customer identification and validation processes
5. Business model development
6. Financial planning and financing:
a. Budgeting and financial forecasting for tech startups
b. Overview of financing options (bootstrapping, grants, VC, etc.)
7. Pitch development and presentation skills:
a. Creating a compelling pitch for tech startups
b. Presenting to investors and stakeholders
c. Finding and working with Mentors
8. Pitch competition: Opportunity to present business ideas to judges and potential investors
9. Technology transfer and commercialization:
a. Collaborating with university technology transfer offices
b. Strategies for transitioning from the lab to the market
10. Legal and regulatory considerations:
a. Understanding the regulatory landscape in the technology industry
b. Compliance and risk management for tech Startups
11. Team building and leadership:
a. Building and leading technical teams
b. Leadership skills for technology Entrepreneurs
12. Marketing and growth strategies:
a. Digital marketing for technology startups
b. Scaling strategies for deep tech companies
13. Information on available incubators and accelerators
14. Regular meetings with industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs
LEARN
Web portals supporting business start-up
The Berlin Startup Grant supports founders who have a prototype and/or MVP and are preparing to launch their product on the market.
The Berlin Impact Funding & Support
Net Impact Nachhaltigkeitschapter & Social Impact Club der ESMT Berlin
Startups @Berlin University Alliance
Startup Insider – News & Interviews
ACT
Internet portals
EXIST supports university graduates, scientists, and students in preparing their technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups.
RETech as Partner for Universities and Research
Finance Forward Fintech & Startup-Finance
HV Capital – leading all-stage investor
Company
THINK
1. Validation and testing
2. Financial planning and financing:
a. Budgeting and financial forecasting for tech startups
b. Overview of financing options (bootstrapping, grants, VC, etc.)
3. IP management: Strategies for protecting intellectual property for deep tech innovations
4. Market research and validation: Customer acquisition and validation processes
5. Pitch development and presentation skills: Presentations to investors and Stakeholders
6. Networking and mentoring: Finding and working with mentors
7. Pitch competition: Opportunity to present business ideas to judges and potential Investors
8. Technology transfer and commercialization:
a. Collaboration with university technology transfer offices
b. Strategies for transitioning from the lab to the market
9. Legal and regulatory considerations:
a. Understanding the regulatory framework in the technology industry
b. Compliance and risk management for tech Startups
10. Team building and leadership:
a. Building and leading technical teams
b. Leadership skills for technology Entrepreneurs
11. Marketing and growth strategies:
a. Digital marketing for technology startups
b. Scaling strategies for deep tech companies
12. Information on available accelerators
13. Regular meetings with industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs
LEARN
Web portals supporting business start-up
The Berlin Startup Grant supports founders who have a prototype and/or MVP and are preparing to launch their product on the market.
Bundesinitiative Impact Investing
Startup Verband ESG Arbeitsgruppe
ACT
Pitch – workshops and mentoring
Science & Startups offers a variety of practice-oriented workshops for founders to acquire new skills and broaden their expertise.
Finance Forward Fintech & Startup-Finance
HV Capital – leading all-stage investor