Hubraum

What Hubraum does

Hubraum is the wholly-owned corporate tech incubator of Deutsche Telekom AG, founded in 2012 and operating from campuses in Berlin (Winterfeldtstr. 21) and Krakow (Przemysłowa 12). It runs cohort-based innovation programs that supply early-stage startups in AI, IoT, 5G, XR, security and connectivity with free access to Deutsche Telekom's proprietary telco assets — a functional 5G standalone core network testbed, Wi-Fi Sensing technology, edge computing infrastructure, telco connectivity APIs (CAMARA-aligned), and dedicated VR/AR rooms and makers' spaces — alongside coworking, mentorship from Deutsche Telekom engineers, demo days, and the potential for seed investment up to €1M. Hubraum does not charge program fees; its economic mechanism is indirect: startups develop solutions that Deutsche Telekom business units (T-Systems, Telekom Deutschland, T-Labs) can integrate, resell, or distribute, supplemented by occasional equity returns on seed investments.

Over 14 years hubraum has executed 27 innovation programs, implemented 375 startup solutions, and scouted more than 10,000 startups, building a partnership network that spans TU Berlin, TU Dresden, TU München, Fraunhofer HHI, DFKI, RWTH Aachen, the European Space Agency, Qualcomm, SK Telecom, Orange, the Werner-von-Siemens Centre and the Greentech Alliance. Documented outcomes include Flexperto (seed-invested 2015, now category leader in sales-for-financial-services SaaS, present in France/Italy/Austria/Switzerland), Xplora (Consumer IoT eSIM Program 2019, IPO November 2020, 1M+ users across 22 countries, ~80,000 watches/year sold in Germany through Deutsche Telekom distribution), and MonoLets (seed-invested in 2020 and again in 2022, now commercially deployed for supply chain tracking via the Werner-von-Siemens Centre). The current program slate — Tangible Tomorrow 2025/2026 (international, multi-university research-to-productization), Security Co-Creation Program (AI-driven cybersecurity), and the MWC/4YFN 2026 showcase — signals a shift toward academic spin-offs, security as a standalone vertical, and Free-Space Optical/Li-Fi/6G thematic positioning.

Hubraum's go-to-market is event- and community-led rather than transactional: open applications drive program enrollment, dedicated startup scouting teams identify prospects, MWC/4YFN (Barcelona) and Startupnight Berlin generate qualified leads (100+ per 4YFN 2026), and founder testimonials on hubraum.com serve as peer referral. Distribution of incubated products flows back through Deutsche Telekom channels rather than via hubraum directly. Headcount is in the 11–50 band across the two campuses, with the team led by Peter Borchers (founder) and Jakub Probola (Head of hub:raum and Managing Director of the hub:raum Investment Fund), and local campus management in Krakow headed by Jerzy Grzesiak. Hubraum does not disclose standalone revenue or financials because it operates as an internal strategic unit of Deutsche Telekom AG rather than a separately reported subsidiary.

Name

Hubraum

Legal name

Deutsche Telekom AG

Website

https://hubraum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hubraum is Deutsche Telekom AG's corporate tech incubator, founded 2012 and operating from Berlin and Krakow campuses. It runs free cohort-based programs giving early-stage startups access to 5G testbeds, prototyping facilities, DT mentorship, and seed investment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubator Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)

Keywords

• Tech startup incubator
• 5G testbed access
• Telco innovation programs
• Venture seed funding
• Startup coworking space

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Incubator/Accelerator Program Services: Hubraum operates as Deutsche Telekom's tech incubator, providing programs free of charge to selected startups. Revenue is generated indirectly through innovation transfer — startups develop solutions that Deutsche Telekom can commercialize, integrate into its network, or distribute to its customer base. Hubraum also invests in startups (seed funding) and facilitates commercial relationships between startups and Deutsche Telekom business units.
2. Startup Investment (Financial Returns): Hubraum provides seed investment to startups (e.g., invested in MonoLets in 2020 and 2022, invested in Flexperto in 2015). Investment is made to support startup growth with the expectation of financial returns and strategic value through product integration and partnership.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hubraum operates as Deutsche Telekom's tech incubator, running cohort-based innovation programs (accelerators) that provide early-stage tech startups with free access to 5G standalone testbeds, prototyping facilities, coworking spaces, and seed investment. The incubator connects selected startups with Deutsche Telekom's business units, telco APIs, and global partner network to facilitate commercial integration and innovation transfer.

Product overview

Hubraum is Deutsche Telekom's tech incubator offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovation programs, physical infrastructure, and startup support services. The core offerings include the Tangible Tomorrow acceleration program for telecommunications and human-machine interaction research, the Prototyping Campus with facilities in Berlin and Krakow (featuring 5G test beds, makers' spaces, VR/AR rooms, edge computing, and 3D printers), and Testing Labs for 5G and Wi-Fi Sensing technology validation. Specialized programs cover 5G Early Access, Telco Network APIs, AI Co-Creation, Security Co-Creation, IoT with ESA, eSIM consumer IoT, Low Latency Prototyping, and Mixed Reality through partnerships with Qualcomm and Apple. The ecosystem has facilitated 27 innovation programs, 375 startup solutions implemented, and connections to 10,000 scouted startups. Investment opportunities of up to 1 million euros are available through the programs, alongside access to Deutsche Telekom's customer base and global network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tangible Tomorrow Program An acceleration and research program that unites academia, startups, and spin-offs to explore next-generation connectivity (Free-Space Optical Communication, Li-Fi, 6G) and human-machine interaction technologies. Bridges research to productization with proof-of-concept demonstrations and pilot deployments.
• Prototyping Campus State-of-the-art innovation labs in Berlin and Krakow offering access to 5G test beds, makers' spaces, 3D printers, VR/AR rooms, edge computing infrastructure, and coworking spaces. Startups can test products on Deutsche Telekom's network infrastructure and access tech and business expertise.
• Testing Labs 5G Testing Lab in Krakow and Wi-Fi Sensing Lab in Berlin providing testing environments for startups and developers. The 5G Lab features 5G Standalone (SA) infrastructure for tailored connectivity testing. Testing Labs have facilitated 15 new API suggestions, 100+ bugs reported, and 5 innovation programs with 18 companies and 50+ developers.
• 5G Early Access Program Program enabling startups to test 5G standalone network capabilities including low latency and throughput APIs. Participants gain access to Deutsche Telekom's 5G infrastructure for product testing and evaluation, with opportunities to enter the CAMARA project for API standardization.
• Telco Network API Program Collaboration between Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile US, and hubraum providing developers access to telco network APIs. The program includes the Telco Network API Challenge Report as a blueprint for network programmability and developer access to telco capabilities.
• Security Co-Creation Program Program designed to empower startups developing AI-driven security solutions for cybersecurity and network security. Focuses on advanced solutions in prevention, detection, and response.
• Digital Innovation Program Program connecting startups with futuristic hardware, tech and business experts for testing products in real-world settings and ensuring market readiness.
• Consumer IoT eSIM Program Program providing eSIM Starter Kit for faster, easier and more secure IoT development with access to Deutsche Telekom's global IoT connectivity across LTE-M, 2G, 4G, and 5G technologies.
• Low Latency Prototyping Program Program enabling startups and universities to explore, develop and test solutions requiring low latency using existing Edge Computing Technology. Potential investment of up to 1 million euros plus financial support for pilot projects.
• Startup Investment & Incubation Hubraum provides seed investment opportunities, office space, mentorship, and connections to Deutsche Telekom's network of partners, founders, and investors. Has invested in startups like Flexperto and MonoLets in seed funding rounds.
• IoT Space Challenge with ESA Innovation program in partnership with the European Space Agency challenging startups to develop IoT solutions with space technology applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000,000 users reached by Xplora's kids smartwatch, distributed across 22 countries through Deutsche Telekom channels
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TU Berlin (Technische Universität Berlin)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Academic partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program. Collaborates with hubraum and Deutsche Telekom to transform academic research into implementable telco technologies. TU Berlin participated in the first batch of the Tangible Tomorrow incubation format, with startups like twincube receiving mentorship from DT Technik alongside TU Berlin experts.
• TU Dresden (Technische Universität Dresden)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Academic partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, focusing on human-machine interaction and telecommunications research. Contributed mentors such as Florian Sägebrecht to support Hapticlabs startup in the first program batch.
• TU München (Technische Universität München)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Academic partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, contributing research expertise in telecommunications and connectivity to the collaboration with Deutsche Telekom.
• TU Kaiserslautern (Technische Universität Kaiserslautern)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Academic partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, participating in the multi-university consortium bridging research and commercial application in telecommunications.
• Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Research partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, contributing expertise in photonic and communications technologies to the collaboration with Deutsche Telekom and hubraum.
• German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Research partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, bringing AI expertise to the multi-university collaboration focused on advancing telecommunications and human-machine interaction technologies.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic research partner collaborating with Deutsche Telekom and hubraum on the Tangible Tomorrow program, contributing expertise in engineering and technology transfer.
• SK TelecomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Korean wireless telecommunications operator working with hubraum on the Network Sustainability Award, a joint initiative to recognize innovations in network sustainability.
• Orange S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench multinational telecommunications corporation collaborating with hubraum on the Network Sustainability Award, working together with other telco partners to promote sustainable network technologies.
• QualcommminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican semiconductor and wireless technology company. Worked with hubraum on the Mixed Reality Program, contributing expertise in AR/VR technology standards and connectivity.
• Solar Impulse FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation offering political and economic decision-makers a guide to solutions for achieving carbon neutrality. Network collaborator of hubraum for the Network Sustainability Award.
• Greentech AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of 800+ green technology businesses united to fight climate change. Collaborating with hubraum for the Network Sustainability Award, providing access to green tech ecosystem and advisory support.
• Center Connected IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration exploring the potential of mobile communications for the intelligent, dynamic, and flexible industry of the future. Deutsche Telekom is developing a Campus Network together with Center Connected Industry.
• hub4industryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub opened in Kraków in 2020, acting as a showroom for the factory of the future. Features the first Polish robot connected to 5G, representing Campus Networks' first use case. Connected to hubraum ecosystem.
• Werner-von-Siemens Centre for Industry and ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDynamic research body at the heart of industrial production. Collaboration leads to effective research addressing technological challenges of industrial production, energy transition, and mobility. The Werner-von-Siemens Centre in Berlin houses a technology demonstration center where MonoLets conducted product demos for T-Systems customers.
• Digital HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of startups, investors, partners, research, science, and companies from medium-sized businesses and corporations. Strategic partner supporting hubraum's ecosystem development.
• European Space Agency (ESA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with hubraum on the IoT Space Challenge, a joint program supporting startups in space-related IoT applications. Startups including PlanetWatch and AstroTectonic participated in this program.
• T-SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeutsche Telekom's subsidiary, T-Systems, is a key business unit that introduces its clients to hubraum startups' solutions. T-Systems uses Flexperto's SaaS solution for B2B customers, and the Werner-von-Siemens Centre (a T-Systems operation) demos MonoLets' supply chain tracking technology to clients.
• VelsaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services provider offering free digital legal packages to hubraum startups covering fundraising, contracts, data protection, and hiring. Includes checklists, templates, a free discovery call, and a 3-month free subscription through the hubraum partner deal.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vodafone xone / Vodafone Ventures: Vodafone's startup accelerator and venture arm focusing on 5G, IoT, and digital services startups across Europe. Directly comparable as a major European telco's corporate accelerator targeting similar startup verticals.
• Orange Ventures / Orange Fab: Orange's corporate venture arm and accelerator focused on telecom-adjacent startups across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Directly comparable in model (corporate-backed accelerator providing telco infrastructure access) and even a documented partner of Hubraum on the Network Sustainability Award.
• SK Telecom (T-Brain, SK Planet): SK Telecom runs corporate venture and accelerator programs for 5G, AI, and telecom startups in South Korea and globally. A documented Hubraum partner on the Network Sustainability Award and highly comparable in targeting 5G/network API startups.
• KDDI Mugen Labo: Japanese telco KDDI's corporate accelerator program targeting IoT, 5G, and connectivity startups. Directly comparable as a telco-run accelerator with similar infrastructure-access and seed-investment model.
• Wayra (Telefónica): Telefónica's global corporate startup accelerator operating in 10+ countries. Directly comparable as a telco corporate accelerator targeting early-stage startups in connectivity, IoT, AI, and digital services, providing access to Telefónica's network, APIs, and corporate customers.

Emerging players

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Large global corporate innovation platform running vertical-specific accelerator programs (including telco, insurance, fintech) with corporate partners. Comparable as an accelerator-of-accelerators but operates a more horizontal model and serves multiple corporate partners, including a Deutsche Telekom relationship.
• Techstars: Global accelerator operator running mentor-driven programs for early-stage tech startups. Comparable as an accelerator providing mentorship and seed investment, but operates as an independent operator (not a single corporate sponsor) and does not provide telco infrastructure access.
• BT (British Telecom) Ventures / EE Startup Awards: UK-based telco running corporate venture and startup engagement activities in 5G, IoT, and digital services. Comparable as a European telco with corporate accelerator/venture activities, though more limited program breadth than Hubraum.

Others

• Station F: Paris-based world's largest startup campus, hosting multiple corporate-sponsored accelerator programs (including Orange, Facebook, Ubisoft). Comparable as a physical innovation infrastructure provider where Hubraum-style corporate programs run, though Station F is a campus operator rather than a program operator itself.

Broad incumbents

• T-Mobile (US) Accelerator: T-Mobile's corporate startup programs (including T-Mobile Ventures and the 5G Innovation Studio with Starbucks and others) target 5G and telecom-adjacent startups. Comparable as a major telco running 5G-focused startup programs and a documented collaborator with Hubraum on the Telco Network API Program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hubraumTechIncubator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hub-raum
• Xx.com/hubraum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments51 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hubraum