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medical:forge
Fast-Track Your MedTech Startup into the German Healthcare Market
medical:forge Leipzig by leap:up is an accelerator program tailored to the needs of early-stage medical technology startups aiming to enter and scale in the German healthcare system. Our customized 12-month program supports you with industry-specific infrastructure, expert guidance, and direct access to clinical and regulatory networks.
Through our strong partnerships with hospitals, health insurers, research institutions, and experienced medtech companies, you benefit from exclusive market insights and real-world validation opportunities.
Instead of direct funding, we provide an in-kind service package valued at €192,600, including a €25,000 team budget, access to coworking laboratories, offices, electronics workshops, regulatory consulting, mentoring, and more. Your contribution: €21,400 in own capital.
Start shaping the future of healthcare — with medical:forge Leipzig.
MEDTECH INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF EUROPE
Leipzig is one of the fastest growing cities in Germany and the EU with currently 600,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan region has about 2.25 million inhabitants.
Leipzig is one of the most popular student cities and its universities count about 40,000 students annually including a large medical faculty.
Due to its central location at the heart of Europe, Leipzig has excellent logistics connections including Germany‘s second largest air freight hub.
The Medical Forge is located at the BioCity Campus, a centrally located commercial area dedicated exclusively to life science companies.
Learn more at leipzig-for-lifechangers.com
OUR SERVICES
Coworking Office
Ca. 300 m² prefurnished offices, meeting rooms and kitchen
Coworking Laboratory
Ca. 150 m² wetlabs incl. 2 bioboxes for cell and microbiological tasks
Coworking Workshop
Ca. 150 m² full electronic workshop and hardware equipment incl. 3D printer
Startup Bonus
Up to 25,000 Euro virtual grant for external services
Coaching & Mentoring
Experienced industry experts as sparring partner for regulatory and business issues
Seminars & Workshops
Customized seminars focussing on regulatory affairs for medical products
Networking & Events
Integration into supraregional industry network with over 120 members
Clinical Partnerships
Opportunity to start clinical pilot studies, to gain database access and to receive user feedback
CURRENT TEAMS
Wondering who is going to be the next rising star in healthcare? Here is an overview of Batch 2 of the MEDICAL FORGE!
NOTHING IS STRONGER THAN
AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME
~ Victor Hugo
OUR COMMITTED PARTNERS
Premium Partners
Supporters
You want to increase your innovative capacity and get premium access to the newest medical technology? You are looking for international cooperations to improve healthcare in Germany?
Get in touch with us to talk about how you can become part of our partner network.
OUR CUSTOMIZABLE CURRICULUM FOR YOUR STARTUP
Regulatory Affairs
- The long way to the German healthcare market
- Quality & Risk management of medical products
- Approval process according to the EU MDR
- Clinical studies from a legal and regulatory perspective
Health Economics
- Reimbursement systems of the German Healthcare market
- Funding programs for medical innovations
- Sales in Life Sciences
- Market validation studies
Business Elements
- Design Thinking Workshop
- IP Rights and Licensing for startups
- Pitch Training
- Project Management
Individual coaching and mentoring, potential clinical pilot studies and
feedback by medical experts offer additional insights
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Incorporated startup or innovative SME
- Innovative medical device with proof of concept
- Highly motivated, skilled and diverse team
- Fit with the interests of our gold and silver partners
- Sufficient financial capital to participate in the program (21k Euro)
- General interest in founding a subsidiary in Leipzig/ Germany
- Willingness to participate in workshops
- Fluent in English
ONLINE APPLICATION
Please submit your application on f6s. It allows us to integrate our partners in the evaluation and selection process and provide you with direct feedback on your application.
APPLY NOW TO FORGE YOUR WAY TO THE HEALTHCARE MARKET
applications
application and pitch deck.
at different events.
by the board
Scouting
selects the top 12 applications.
pitch and win one of the 8 spots
in the program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
23.11.2025
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Apply by November 23rd 2025 to become a part of our fifth batch starting in April 2026.
Let’s forge your way to the German healthcare market together.
OUR CORE TEAM
André Hofmann
CEO
andre.hofmann@leap-up.com
Simone Haubner
COO
simone.haubner@leap-up.com
Robert Möbius
Lab Engineer
robert.moebius@leap-up.com
Dr. Katja Krempler
Regulatory Affairs Manager
katja.krempler@leap-up.com
Dr. Kathleen Schuster
Clinical Cooperation Manager
kathleen.schuster@leap-up.com
Linda Kramer
Project Assistant
linda.kramer@leap-up.com
CONTACT US
Contact us directly or
use the non-binding
contact form.