What awaits you?
- Six weeks of intensive start-up progression
- Part-time online & offline trainings
- Applied insights from experts & prior founders
- Invaluable 1:1 coachings
Why join?
Market Validation Focus: Ideal for start-ups with a validated value proposition and Beachhead Market.
Essential Topics Covered: Focus on topics such as pricing, first product, founder sales, talent attraction, funding, and sales mindset.
Expert-Led Interactive Sessions: Learn from experienced founders and topic experts.
Individual Coaching: Personalized advice and guidance through one-on-one sessions.
XPLORE Market Pioneer
Walk with Confidence, We've Got Your Back
Are you ready to elevate your start-up to market readiness and secure your first customer? Our intensive six-week program is designed to help you achieve just that.
In this program, you'll learn to combine value-based and commercial thinking, developing a strategy that positions your start-up for success. From sales to pilot customers, pricing to product development – we’ll help you navigate complex market demands and prepare for success.
This program is for your start-up team if you...
- have a validated tech-based solution,
- aim for market readiness and are looking to refine your strategy,
- want to validate your market and prepare to secure your first customer,
- need to market your first product or MVP
- seek funding strategies.
What does your journey look like?
Commitment and Schedule:
XPLORE Market Pioneer is a hybrid part-time program, requiring a commitment of 5-10 hours per week. This includes:
The kick-off event, to connect with all participating start-ups
2-3 online sessions per week with group trainings and expert insights
8 total hours of optional coaching with reviews and feedback
Various on-site sessions in Garching & Munich Urban Colab
The Final Pitch Event to present your start-up idea in front of a jury of internal and external VCs
Our well-structured schedule ensures that you can balance your participation with your studies, work, and personal life. Most sessions are held online, making it convenient for you to attend.
On-site Events:
You get the chance to be part of a hybrid program, consisting of on-site and online events so that you can easily participate wherever you are. However, there are obligatory items on the agenda where at least one team member has to be present on-site.
Those are:
Kick-off
Pitch & Pizza
Founder input session
Final Pitch Event
This program is designed for dedicated and committed teams ready to embrace the exchange with experienced founders and experts. Please ensure you are prepared to meet the time commitment to gain the most from the program.
Program
Practical sessions & hands-on mentality
Primary Business Use Case
Quantify the Value
Investor Pitch Input
Co-Founder Insights
First Price
Pitch & Pizza (on-site)
Sales Insights
Founder Storytelling
How to build a Sales Engine
Pilot Customer
Funding Strategy (on-site)
Business Model & Sales
First Start-up operations
Second date with a VC (on-site)
First HR / Recruiting
Investor Readiness
Final Pitch Event (on-site)
Application step by step
Before starting your application, review the entire form to understand what is required. This will help you gather all necessary information and documents in advance. Have your and your team’s contact information ready, including LinkedIn profiles and email addresses. We recommend drafting your responses to the open-text questions in a separate document. This allows you to iterate, refine, and ensure your answers are comprehensive. Once ready, you can easily copy and paste them into the application form.
No Save Progress: You cannot save your progress, so make sure to gather all necessary information before starting the form.
Submission: Ensure your application is complete and submitted before the deadline.
Deadline: Jul 15, 2025 (12:00 pm).
Entry Gate Agenda: After your application is accepted, you’ll be invited to pitch at our Entry Gate, a pitch assessment session with XPLORE coaches and experts to align on your start-up’s fit and next steps. This is a preliminary agenda, slots are subject to change.
Fill in the form!
Want to join the next Market Pioneer batch?
Key Dates for XPLORE Market Pioneer Batch #8
APPLICATIONS OPEN
April 10th, 2025
APPLICATIONS END
July 15th, 2025
SCREENING & ENTRY GATES
August 8th - August 27th, 2025
BATCH ANNOUNCEMENT
August 28th, 2025
PROGRAM KICK-OFF (TUM INCUBATOR)
September 17th, 2025
FINAL PITCH EVENT (Munich Urban Colab Seminar Room)
October
FAQs
- Which criteria need to be met for participating in the XPLORE Market Pioneer program?
There are two requirements for your start-up to participate in our program.
1. Your team has to consist of a minimum of two founders, covering the technical and business abilities. We don’t accept applications from solopreneurs.
2. Your start-up has to bring a validated tech-based solution.
- How does the selection process work?
After the application deadline on July 15th, we start screening your application taking into account criteria like: tech implementation, market suitability, business model, team formation and product idea. The most promising teams will be invited to take part in our Entry Gates. The Entry Gates are held remotely - teams will be given the possibility to pitch in front of the XPLORE Market Pioneer program followed by Q&As. Finally, we select 10-15 teams to participate in our XPLORE Market Pioneer program.
- When will we get informed if our start-up is selected for the XPLORE Market Pioneer Batch?
We will keep you informed during the whole selection process. We aim to inform all teams about our decision within two weeks after the application deadline.
- How much time do we need to invest during the program?
XPLORE Market Pioneer is a hybrid part-time program, requiring a commitment of approximately 5-10 hours per week.
- What are the benefits of the XPLORE Market Pioneer program?
The XPLORE Market Pioneer program offers early-stage start-ups invaluable benefits, including peer-to-peer learning, personalised 1:1 coaching, insights from experienced founders, access to the UTUM ecosystem, and the opportunity to pitch to investors at our final event.
- What topics and events does the XPLORE Market Pioneer program cover?
Our program covers a wide range of different topics which shall help you in your pre-incubation phase such as: sales, pilot customer, funding strategies, first pricing and many more.
- What is the program timeline for XPLORE Market Pioneer?
Applications are open until July 15th. The program kicks off on September 17th and consists of six intensive weeks. It concludes in a final pitch event on April 10th where you can showcase your progress.
- Can I participate as a Solopreneur?
No, participation in the program currently requires a minimum of two founders.
- How long does the program last?
The program lasts a total of 6 weeks.
- I want to participate but cannot make it for this batch. Is there another batch? How many batches do you offer per year?
Yes, we are offering 2 batches in 2025, where you can apply. To be up-to-date about the next application phase sign up to our newsletter here.
- I am having trouble with my application. Who do I contact?
Please reach out to xplore.marketpioneer@unternehmertum.de.
- Are there any costs associated with participating in the program?
No, our program is free of charge and we do not take any equity from the start-ups.
- Can participants join from any location?
Thanks to our hybrid format, the majority of the program can be attended from anywhere. However, there are certain on-site sessions where it is necessary that at least one participant from your team is present on-site.
- Can I participate if I am currently employed or a student?
Yes, our part-time format allows you to participate in the program alongside your studies or your employment, however you should invest enough time in your start-up to make significant progress.
- What types of start-ups are typically involved in the program?
Our program is tailored to early-stage start-ups with a deep-tech focus. The participating teams operate in a wide range of different sectors, such as: Robotics/AI, Software/AI, Quantum, Mobility, Food/Agriculture/Biotech, Sustainability, Built Environment, Healthcare, and many more.
- Are there opportunities for follow-up support or continued engagement after the program ends?
After you’ve mastered our Market Pioneer program you could e.g. apply for the XPRENEURS program, where you receive further support on your way to market entry.
- I am having trouble with my application. Who do I contact?
Please reach out to xplore.marketpioneer@unternehmertum.de.
Have Questions?
Our team is here to help! If you need assistance during the application process, contact us at xplore.marketpioneer@unternehmertum.de.
