Munich Startup: Please introduce yourselves and the Life Science Factory briefly.
Martin Strehle, Venture & Community Manager of Life Science Factory Munich: The Life Science Factory offers startups from the life sciences everything from a single source: fully equipped laboratories with services and coworking are available at our Munich Neuherberg location in cooperation with Helmholtz Munich. Our location in Göttingen also offers a prototype workshop. The international founding community of the Life Science Factory is united across both locations and supported by our needs-based program of coaching, workshops, and networking events.
Our flexible usage models are specifically tailored to the dynamic needs of startups. Flex desks in coworking and “lab benches” can be canceled monthly or expanded as needed. Thus our model enables quick adaptation to team growth with short lead times – new employees find space with us without difficulty.
Whether a team is just taking off or already scaling – at the Life Science Factory, everyone finds the right infrastructure, expertise, and community to realize their visions.
Life Science Factory: support with regulatory challenges
Munich Startup: Why did you choose Munich for your second location?
Martin Strehle: Munich offers a strong life science ecosystem with excellent research institutions, relevant industry players, innovative startup projects, and high demand for laboratory space. Munich already has a supportive founding environment into which we can integrate very well with our experience from Göttingen. The location fosters the potential for scientific spin-offs and strong connections to a global community.
Munich Startup: Why does a good startup need you behind it?
Martin Strehle: We offer startups a flexible usage model with fully equipped laboratories and particularly support with regulatory challenges. In our programs, startups receive relevant industry insights and founding support as well as access to valuable contacts and tailored investor matching. Since 2019, we have experience with this needs-based concept and understand the diverse requirements and needs of startups.
Biggest mistake? Losing sight of market perspective
Munich Startup: What is the biggest mistake a startup can make?
Martin Strehle: The biggest mistake is focusing exclusively on the product or technology while losing sight of market perspective. A great product is not enough. What matters is developing a clear business strategy early on, highlighting the real added value for the target group, and consistently putting customer needs at the center.
Munich Startup: The trend of the year is…!
Martin Strehle: The acceleration, simplification, and scaling of processes in drug discovery and development, particularly through the integration of artificial intelligence.
Munich Startup: Which Munich startups can you meet at your location?
Martin Strehle: Currently, startups such as Deep Piction, a platform for cellular-level imaging with AI technology, are renting space with us. You can also meet Ovo Labs, which develops therapeutics to improve egg cell quality, at our location.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: who do startups reach out to when they want to get in touch with you?
Martin Strehle: Feel free to contact me directly as Venture & Community Manager.
