INAM - Innovation Network for Advanced Materials

Name

INAM - Innovation Network for Advanced Materials

Legal name

Innovation Network for Advanced Materials e. V.

Website

https://inam.berlin

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator / Innovation Network Services

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Advanced materials accelerator
• Startup acceleration programs
• Deep tech ecosystem
• Technology scouting services
• Innovation network platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: INAM operates as a membership-based organization with over 200 network partners including startups, corporations, research institutions, and investors who pay to access the network and its services.
2. Accelerator program fees: INAM runs three accelerator programs (AdMaLab, AdMaCom, AdMaCom Scale) at different TRL stages, generating revenue from program participation.
3. Technology scouting services: INAM provides Open Innovation Challenges and scouting services for corporate clients, connecting them with cutting-edge startups to solve specific technological challenges.
4. Event participation: Revenue generated from events including Demo Days, conferences, and workshops that bring together investors, startups, and industry stakeholders.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

INAM operates a Berlin-headquartered non-profit innovation network and startup accelerator focused on advanced materials and deep tech. It runs tiered accelerator programs (AdMaLab, AdMaCom, AdMaCom Qualifiers, AdMaCom Scale) supporting startups at different technology readiness levels, delivers Open Innovation Challenges and technology scouting services for corporate clients, and hosts community events that connect startups, industrial corporates, researchers, and investors across 200+ partner organizations.

Product overview

INAM (Innovation Network for Advanced Materials) is a startup ecosystem organization rather than a traditional software product. It operates a portfolio of accelerator programs including Advanced Materials Lab (AdMaLab), Advanced Materials Competition (AdMaCom), AdMaCom Scale, and AdMaCom Qualifiers. These programs are complemented by technology scouting services (Open Innovation Challenges), deep tech events (workshops, demo days, conferences), and a global network directory of 200+ partners including startups, corporations, research institutions, and investors. The organization also produces the 'Start-up the Science' podcast as a content resource. Together, these offerings form an integrated innovation ecosystem designed to accelerate market entry for advanced materials technologies from research through to commercial deployment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AdMaLab (Advanced Materials Lab): A 6-month accelerator program for early-stage deep tech startups (TRL 3-4) in materials science.
• AdMaCom (Advanced Materials Competition)
• AdMaCom Scale (Advanced Materials Competition Scale)
• Open Innovation Challenges

Products and services

• AdMaLab (Advanced Materials Lab) Early-stage accelerator program supporting advanced materials deep tech startups at lower technology readiness levels, providing structured support to validate technology and begin commercialization.
• AdMaCom (Advanced Materials Competition) Flagship cohort-based accelerator competition for advanced materials startups at more mature TRL stages, providing access to corporate partners, investors, and visibility through Demo Days.
• AdMaCom Qualifiers Entry-stage qualifier program that selects and funnels startups into the main AdMaCom cohort, providing an initial touchpoint and selection mechanism for applicants.
• AdMaCom Scale Growth-stage accelerator program for advanced materials startups positioned to scale, providing access to industrial customers, follow-on capital pathways, and scaling-stage network resources.
• Open Innovation Challenges Corporate-facing engagement in which INAM curates and surfaces advanced materials startup solutions against defined corporate technology needs, enabling large industrials to source external innovation through the network.
• Technology Scouting Services Custom scouting engagements in which INAM leverages its 200+ partner network to identify, vet, and present advanced materials startups matching a corporate client's technology or partnership criteria.
• Demo Days and Members' Meetings Periodic in-person and hybrid community events convening startups, corporates, researchers, and investors for cohort showcases, networking, and partner updates.
• Start-up the Science Podcast INAM-produced podcast featuring conversations with advanced materials founders, researchers, and ecosystem participants to build visibility for the network and deep tech community.
• INAM Network Membership Formal membership in the INAM network, conferring access to the partner directory, community events, accelerator cohorts, and curated matchmaking opportunities for startups, corporates, research institutions, and investors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 network partners connected
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ELI ERIC (Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026ELIgnite consortium funded with 5m EUR through Horizon Europe programme. ELI ERIC is project coordinator, combining scientific excellence with business acceleration to help transform cutting-edge research into market-ready innovation.
• ELI ALPScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Part of the ELIgnite consortium bringing Europe's most advanced laser infrastructure to deep-tech innovators. Provides access to state-of-the-art laser technologies and advanced diagnostics.
• Technology Centre PraguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Part of the ELIgnite consortium providing technology validation and business acceleration support for deep tech innovators.
• Commercialization ReactorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Part of the ELIgnite consortium providing venture building and commercialization expertise for deep tech companies.
• Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Associated partner in ELIgnite consortium, contributing academic research excellence to the advanced materials ecosystem.
• Centre for the Science of Materials Berlin (CSMB)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Associated partner in ELIgnite consortium supporting advanced materials research and innovation.
• cic NanogunesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Associated partner in ELIgnite consortium contributing to advanced materials research excellence.
• Politecnico di MilanosupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Associated partner providing research institute and innovation organization expertise to ELIgnite consortium.
• Berlin PartnersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026Berlin-based economic development agency supporting INAM and its member companies. Board member Gerrit Rössler represents Berlin Partner on INAM Board.
• Deep Tech Momentum (DTM)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2026Partnership for AdMaCom Qualifiers targeting startups at intersection of materials science and digital technologies. Provides golden ticket to Deep Tech Momentum 2026 for selected startups.
• EIZ Spark / Decarbon Days 2026coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2026Collaboration for Decarbon Days 2026 qualifier targeting startups in energy transition technologies. Five selected startups pitch live at the event in Cottbus-Senftenberg.
• PRIMA QuébecsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025PRIMA Québec joins INAM to support Canadian advanced materials innovation. PRIMA acts as engine of innovation in Québec's advanced materials ecosystem and facilitates access to European programs including Horizon Europe pillar 2.
• Cambridge Display Technology (CDT)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 May 2024CDT (Sumitomo Chemical Group) partnered with INAM for an Open Innovation Challenge to find pioneering materials for telecommunications. INAM facilitated startup selection and pitching process.
• CamMotivesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based consultancy partnered with Thermulon (INAM alumni) in 2m GBP UK government-backed project to improve EV battery safety under DRIVE35 programme.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum BerlinsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ASCEND 30m EUR research initiative for AI-driven catalyst discovery. Dunia Innovations (INAM alumni) joined as industrial partner.
• BASFsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner in ASCEND initiative for AI-driven catalyst discovery alongside Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Siemens Energy and Dunia Innovations (INAM alumni).
• Siemens EnergysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner in ASCEND initiative for AI-driven catalyst discovery alongside Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, BASF and Dunia Innovations (INAM alumni).
• 200+ Network PartnerscoreOthersOver 200 companies, institutions and members including 212 NexT, Anabrid, Re-fresh Global, Ailoys, ExoMatter, and numerous others across advanced materials ecosystem.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Creative Destruction Lab: University-affiliated deep tech startup program (originating at Rotman School of Management). Comparable to INAM in its focus on commercializing science-based deep tech ventures through structured cohort-based mentorship.
• Techstars: Global startup accelerator network running mentorship-driven programs for early-stage companies. Comparable to INAM as both operate multi-program accelerator portfolios connecting startups with corporates and investors, though Techstars operates across sectors while INAM is deep tech focused.
• Entrepreneur First: Talent-first deep tech accelerator building companies from technical founders pre-idea. Operates cohort programs in Europe and Asia targeting scientists and engineers, directly comparable to INAM's deep tech focus and European presence.
• SOSV: Multi-stage deep tech venture capital firm operating vertical accelerators (HAX hardware, IndieBio biotech, dlab crypto). Comparable to INAM through its deep tech accelerator portfolio and global network model targeting early-stage hard-tech founders.
• MassChallenge: Global non-profit startup accelerator with corporate partnership model. Comparable to INAM through its non-profit structure, corporate-startup matchmaking, and global cohort-based programs across industries.
• Activate: US-based deep tech fellowship for scientists and engineers commercializing hard-tech research. Comparable to INAM through its cohort-based program supporting founders transitioning breakthrough research from lab to market.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Corporate innovation platform and global accelerator network. Closely matches INAM's model of facilitating Open Innovation Challenges and corporate-startup matchmaking across vertical programs, though Plug and Play operates across multiple verticals.

Regional players

• High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF): Germany's leading early-stage deep tech investor backing technology startups with seed funding. Comparable to INAM as both target German and European deep tech founders, though HTGF is a financial investor rather than an accelerator network.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer Ventures: Commercialization arm of Germany's largest applied research organization. Comparable to INAM as both bridge advanced materials research to commercial deployment, though Fraunhofer is a much larger established research institution.
• EIT Manufacturing: EU-funded innovation community under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, supporting manufacturing and materials startups. Comparable to INAM through its EU institutional backing, accelerator-style programs, and advanced materials focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inamberlin
• Xx.com/inamberlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about INAM - Innovation Network for Advanced Materials