The Activator | Semi-Final Pitch Day 2026
What happens when some of the most ambitious biotech founders in Germany step onto the stage to pitch?
Join us for the Nucleate Germany Activator Semi-Final Pitch Day, an exciting milestone in the Activator, Nucleate’s flagship program supporting the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs. Over the past months, emerging teams have been shaping breakthrough ideas at the intersection of science, innovation, and real-world impact. Now, selected semi-finalist teams will pitch their ventures live in front of a jury, mentors, investors, and members of the life science community.
This is more than a pitch event. It is a chance to discover bold ideas early, meet the people building the future of biotech, and connect with researchers, founders, operators, and investors who care about translating science into impact.
Expect a high-energy afternoon and evening featuring:
a welcome and introduction to Nucleate Germany and the Activator
a keynote session
live pitches from 9 semi-finalist teams
networking with founders, mentors, VCs, experts, and invited guests
and an informal after-party to continue the conversations in a more relaxed setting
Preliminary Agenda
13:30 – Optional BioLabs lab tour and informal networking (exact timing TBC)
16:30 – Doors open welcome and introduction
16:45 – Keynote from Philipp Baaske (NanoTemper Technologies) + Q&A
17:20 – Semi-final team pitches
19:00 onwards – Networking
21:00 onwards – After-party
Whether you are curious about the next wave of biotech innovation, looking to connect with the German life science ecosystem, or simply want to hear visionary founders pitch what could become tomorrow’s defining companies, this is the place to be.
Come for the science, stay for the ideas, and meet the people turning them into reality.
About Nucleate:
Nucleate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of biotech leaders. With chapters spanning 41 geographic regions and participation from over 280 academic institutions, Nucleate sparks new intellectual communities and embeds emerging talent within a global biotech community. Through open-access educational programming, Nucleate helps democratize biotech innovation — removing barriers and helping founders concentrate on building transformational technologies. Visit www.nucleate.org for more information, and visit https://nucleate.org/privacy-policy/ to read our privacy policy.
We want to thank our HQ supporters for championing our open-access mission and empowering the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs!
Platinum: Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, MilliporeSigma
Philanthropic Support: Lyda Hill Philanthropies
Preferred Partners: Pillar VC, Amino Collective, Fenwick, Excedr, Mercury, Brex, Fedsprout, Browne Consulting
In-Kind Support: AcademicLabs, Lens.org