Introducing Batch #6: Ten Inspiring Start-up Projects From Across the Max Planck Society

In our MAX!mize start-up incubator for aspiring Max Planck entrepreneurs, research-based start-up teams are developing transformative ideas and innovations with the potential to shape our shared future – from cutting-edge advancements in biology and physics to new perspectives emerging from the human sciences.

“Every great idea begins with the courage to explore.”

Every entrepreneurial journey begins long before the program itself – it starts with the application process. Promising and convincing teams are invited to join a three-day Bootcamp, where they refine their ideas together with our Start-up Coaches, sharpen their business models, and immerse themselves in valuable curriculum content that sets the tone for their next steps.

This was also true for our Batch 6 Bootcamp, where – just like this time – 13 ambitious teams came together. Over three days, they transformed initial concepts into clearer visions, challenged assumptions, and strengthened their entrepreneurial mindset. The room buzzed with curiosity, commitment, and the shared excitement of discovering what their research could become. It once again showed how much potential unfolds when bright minds, dedicated coaches, and a supportive environment come together.

10 Start-up Projects: A Selection Process Marked by Excellence

The decision about which teams would enter the next batch was anything but easy. The quality and vision of every single project were exceptional – the selection process became truly challenging.

Before we move forward, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to all 13 teams

for your dedication, your openness, your ideas, and the inspiring energy you brought to the Bootcamp. Working with you over these three days was an absolute joy – you made this experience something truly special.

One important message: Our Support Beyond MAX!mize

Our support does not end with this decision. Even outside our incubation program, we remain committed to supporting diverse start-up projects and your entrepreneurial journey. We continue to offer tailored start-up coaching as well as guidance on validation, licensing, and patenting. Our colleagues at Max Planck Innovation GmbH are always here to support you – because our mission remains unchanged: to help outstanding research find its way into impactful real-world applications.

Discover here a condensed summary of the current work and innovations of our start-up teams in Phase 1:

ATOMASK

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research

Team: Kenan Elibol, Y. Eren Suyolcu

Pitch: We, team ATOMASK, are developing hybrid material-based masks to help advanced nanofabrication companies and research institutions to create precise nanoscale patterns with our breakthrough.

ConnectAce

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Biology

Team: Adrian Fuchs, Mikkel Noerholm, Constantinos Patinios

Pitch: ConnectAce offers a next-generation enzymatic platform for highly specific and efficient biomolecular coupling, enabling powerful applications in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

QMunicate

Institute: Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics

Team: Gianvito Chiarella, Maya Büki, Maximilian Ammenwerth, Philip Thomas

Pitch: We, team QMunicate, are developing interfaces for neutral-atom-based quantuminformation processors to help quantum technology companies scale and interconnect their systems with optical fiber cavities.

HydroPhoX

Institute: Max Planck Institute of Biophysics

Team: Serena M. Arghittu, Sina Manger, Ermanno Uboldi

Pitch: We, team HydroPhoX, are developing a protein-based biofilter to extract persistent hydrophobic pollutants from industrial wastewater.

TEC-Tx

Institute: Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics

Team: Cisse Ibrahim, Ahmed Firdaus, Amin Rehab

Lee Choongman, Yevoo Priscilla

Pitch: We, team TEC-Tx, are developing approaches to target biological condensates for therapeutic applications in health and disease.

RhabdoFerm

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology

Team: Leonard Präve, Alexander Rill

Pitch: We, team RhabdoFerm, enable the sustainable production of high-value natural pigments a novel engineered fermentation platform, offering a scalable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic and plant-derived colorants.

Neurocodes

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences

Team: Clara Weber, Sarah Sobotta, Katerina Manoli, Yigit Eriguec, Huantao Wen, Caroline Jantzen, Sofie Valk

Pitch: We, team Neurocodes, are developing an educational platform combining coding and social neuroscience to help teens understand their brains and behavior while building essential technical skills through hands-on projects analyzing mood, cognition, and social networks.

AZON-AI

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Software Systems

Team: Arabinda Ghosh, Natalia Calvo-Barajas, Oliver Schön, Zengjie Zhang

Pitch: We, team AZON-AI, are developing a virtual testing platform to help software providers in the automated driving systems (ADS) domain reduce time and cost of validation by automating safety checks, generating knowledge driven realistic scenarios, and ensuring alignment with traffic rules, operational standards, and ethical guidelines.

MeaForma

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy

Team: Franconi Celeste, Mohan Mayumi, Corvelo Benz Nina, Nikonov Aleksei

Pitch: We, team MeaForma, are developing a smart fitness app that combines intelligent motion tracking with expert-guided workouts to deliver personalized, safe, and effective fitness solutions for everyone.

Adapt Therapeutics

Institute: Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research

Team: Christopher M. Dooley, Douglas Adamoski, Lara Falcucci, Brain Juvik

Pitch: We, team Adapt Therapeutics, are developing a first-in-class, mutation-agnostic RNA therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that harnesses the body's natural compensatory mechanisms to restore muscle function.

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All Photos: © TinoGrafiert

Whether your idea is fully formed or still taking shape, we encourage all aspiring Max Planck entrepreneurs in tech and social to apply to the official incubation program for Max Planck researchers.

Unlock the full potential of your research. Our incubator thrives on individuality – and we are proud to welcome teams from across the entire Max Planck landscape, from the humanities and social sciences to technology-driven fields like biology, chemistry, and physics.

We are looking forward to supporting you on your individual start-up journey!

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