Frequently Asked Questions
Applications
The average time required to complete the application for entry into the first phase of the Nuqleus program is about 30 minutes.
Applications for each phase open once a year, meaning each phase of Nuqleus occurs once annually.
There will not be a separate application process for the later phases. If you believe your startup is already ready for a higher phase, please still apply through the first-phase application form. If applications are closed, feel free to contact us via email. In both cases, a meeting will be arranged to jointly assess your stage of development and suitability for the different phases of Nuqleus.
Potential participants of Nuqleus are students and researchers from scientific and educational institutions, as well as professionals working in the industry.
Applications open in October and November for participants from scientific and educational institutions. Individuals or teams with at least one member working or studying at such institutions can apply.
If you are unsure whether you are a suitable applicant or which stage to apply for, feel free to contact us via email or fill out any of the applications, and we will invite you for a conversation.
Program
It’s possible to join the second phase only if your startup team has already been formed outside of our program and has reached a certain level of development. If you believe your startup is ready for the second phase, we kindly ask that you still complete the application for the first phase or contact us via email, and we will arrange a meeting to define the next steps.
Yes, it is necessary to complete the startup education program within the second phase of Nuqleus and present your work at Demo Day in order to proceed to the next phase, which involves individual work with the top startups.
Legal and Financial Structure
No, Nuqleus or its industry partners do not take any ownership in startups participating in the program. If the team owns the intellectual property (IP) on which the startup is being developed, the team retains full ownership. However, if the intellectual property belongs to the institution where a team member is employed (e.g., a university), ownership and usage rights must be established before founding the company, in accordance with the institution’s intellectual property management policies.
The transfer of intellectual property is handled through a direct agreement between the startup and the respective university. Nuqleus acts as an advisor in this process.
At the entry stage of the program, no NDA is signed with applicants. After the matchmaking process, when the team structure is defined, a standardized agreement is signed with the team, outlining the rights and obligations of both parties during the remainder of the program.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring they do not share confidential information about their project, particularly any innovative aspects that are not yet protected by a patent or published in scientific articles or other public outlets. The Nuqleus team and mentors provide additional education and support during the program to help protect intellectual property.
