Michigan Softlanding Program

The Michigan Softlanding Program is a five-day soft-landing programme for research-based start-ups from Germany to explore transatlantic collaboration and U.S. market engagement. The delegation visits East Lansing and Detroit to meet researchers, technology-transfer professionals, industry partners, investors and innovation hubs. Activities include site visits, workshops, networking, curated meetings and opportunities to present start-ups to local stakeholders. The programme connects participating teams with potential partners for piloting, technology transfer and scaling in the Michigan ecosystem.

Full participation in the five-day programme with scheduled site visits, workshops and networking; curated transatlantic meetings and introductions; hotel accommodation; meals and refreshments; round-trip economy airfare; access to meetings with research organisations, industry partners, investors and innovation hubs.

Research-based start-up teams and entrepreneurs currently enrolled in a Master’s degree or higher, or who have completed a PhD or PostDoc no more than four years before the application deadline, and currently affiliated with a university, university of applied sciences, or research institution in Germany.

Submit an application via the online application form and upload a pitch deck (PDF, max five slides) describing the start-up, business model, stage, team and value of potential U.S. partnerships.