The new Max Planck validation program “Prove2Move” promotes innovation

In a nutshell:

• Prove2Move funding: The Max Planck Society invests four million euros annually through Prove2Move to help researchers develop promising technologies toward practical use and commercialization.
• Better chances: Prove2Move focuses on validating early-stage research to reduce technological risks, test applications, and strengthen intellectual property for better market readiness.
• From research to application: Prove2Move accelerates the transfer of research into practice, helping ideas move faster and more effectively toward real-world applications.

“The validation phase in particular is considered too risky by many licensees and investors,” says Bram Wijlands, Managing Director of Max Planck Innovation GmbH. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Max Planck Society and responsible for technology transfer. “With Prove2Move, we can support researchers at a very early technological stage—precisely where external programs or private funding often do not yet apply. Validated projects subsequently have significantly better chances of successfully founding startups or being transferred into licensing agreements and follow-up programs.” The focus of the new validation program is not on continuing basic research, but on a concrete development step from scientific insight toward technical applicability and market-relevant commercialization.

“With Prove2Move, the Max Planck Society is expanding its offerings for application-relevant innovations,” says Max Planck Society President Patrick Cramer. “Our scientists often have excellent ideas. Prove2Move helps to further develop these ideas toward application more quickly and in a more structured manner. This accelerates the transfer of research into practice.”

Scientists employed at a Max Planck Institute who wish to validate market-relevant results or methods from their research are eligible to apply. Selection is carried out by a panel of experts within Max Planck Innovation GmbH through a competitive process. Successful teams can look forward to close support from Prove2Move project managers throughout the project’s duration.