Hubraum
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
Hubraum firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Hubraum industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Hubraum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hubraum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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
Hubraum product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Hubraum
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hubraum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability12 records
Feature5 records
Hubraum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TU Berlin (Technische Universität Berlin)coreAcademic 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)coreAcademic 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)coreAcademic partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, contributing research expertise in telecommunications and connectivity to the collaboration with Deutsche Telekom.
- TU Kaiserslautern (Technische Universität Kaiserslautern)coreAcademic partner in the Tangible Tomorrow program, participating in the multi-university consortium bridging research and commercial application in telecommunications.
- Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI)coreResearch 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)coreResearch 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 UniversitycoreAcademic research partner collaborating with Deutsche Telekom and hubraum on the Tangible Tomorrow program, contributing expertise in engineering and technology transfer.
- SK TelecomminorSouth Korean wireless telecommunications operator working with hubraum on the Network Sustainability Award, a joint initiative to recognize innovations in network sustainability.
- Orange S.A.minorFrench multinational telecommunications corporation collaborating with hubraum on the Network Sustainability Award, working together with other telco partners to promote sustainable network technologies.
- QualcommminorAmerican semiconductor and wireless technology company. Worked with hubraum on the Mixed Reality Program, contributing expertise in AR/VR technology standards and connectivity.
- Solar Impulse FoundationminorFoundation offering political and economic decision-makers a guide to solutions for achieving carbon neutrality. Network collaborator of hubraum for the Network Sustainability Award.
- Greentech AllianceminorAlliance 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 IndustryminorCollaboration 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.
- hub4industryminorInnovation 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 ScienceminorDynamic 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 HubminorNetwork 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)minorCollaborated 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-SystemscoreDeutsche 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.
- VelsaminorLegal 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
Hubraum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Hubraum social profiles
Digital presenceHubraum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hubraum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Hubraum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hubraum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments51 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hubraum
What does Hubraum do?
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.
Is Hubraum a public or private company?
Hubraum is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hubraum founded?
Hubraum was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hubraum based?
Hubraum is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Hubraum make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Incubator/Accelerator Program Services are the primary driver. The others are startup Investment (Financial Returns).
Who are Hubraum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vodafone xone / Vodafone Ventures, Orange Ventures / Orange Fab, SK Telecom (T-Brain, SK Planet), KDDI Mugen Labo and Wayra (Telefónica). Emerging players are Plug and Play Tech Center, Techstars and BT (British Telecom) Ventures / EE Startup Awards. Station F is listed as an others. T-Mobile (US) Accelerator is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Hubraum have an API?
Yes. Hubraum offers access to Deutsche Telekom's 5G connectivity APIs including low latency and throughput APIs through programs like the Telco Network API Program and 5G Early Access Program. Developers can test these APIs on functional 5G standalone core networks at Hubraum's testing labs. The API access enables integration with 5G network capabilities for product development and testing purposes. The company also participates in the CAMARA project which aims to standardize 5G APIs. Developer documentation is at developer.telekom.com/en/news/Telco_Network_api_challenge_en.
What industry is Hubraum in?
Hubraum's product category is Startup Incubator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated), with a secondary code of FSANAHAC, Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.