MotionLab.Berlin · 2026

Tech Talent
Program Batch #8

12 weeks of building, learning, and launching your engineering career.

📅 09 March – 28 May 2026
📍 Bouchéstraße 12, 12435 Berlin
👥 5 Challenge Teams
View Schedule ↓ 📅 Google Calendar 🍎 Apple Calendar

Your Scholarship Includes

Everything you get as a Tech Talent participant.

🏗️

Professional Membership

  • Full Professional Membership for the program duration
  • 24/7 access to MotionLab.Berlin facilities
🔧

Machinery Workshops

  • 4 free workshops (Laser Cutting, 3D Printing, Electronics, Wood, and more)
  • Book workshops on Eventbrite — use code TTP8WORKSHOP for free access
🗣️

Personal Coaching

  • Assigned tech coach for your challenge
  • Team coach for project development and career growth
💬

Community & Network

  • Access to the MotionLab startup ecosystem
  • Networking events and alumni connections

About the Program

Here's what makes this program special.

📍

Guidance & Milestones

Clear anchor points to track your progress throughout the 12 weeks. You'll always know where you stand and what's coming next.

🚀

Endless Opportunities

Learning, networking, and seeking advice beyond the Tech Challenge work. Workshops, events, and connections that open doors.

🤝

Self-Organization

The success of the program is in your hands. Those who excel are the ones who identify problems, find solutions, and bring their team along.

💰

24/7 Access

Full access to MotionLab.Berlin's prototyping infrastructure around the clock. Machines, tools, workspace, all yours.

How It Works

Everything you need to know about the program structure.

  1. Dynamic schedule. The more you get involved, the more doors open. Workshops, events, and career opportunities. We keep updating as new things come up.
  2. Mandatory sessions are part of the Google Calendar. Attendance is required and checked on-site.
  3. Optional events are your chance to go deeper. Free workshops, exclusive events, and networking only available to Tech Talent participants.
  4. Coaching check-ins. Regular sessions with your assigned coach to discuss project progress, challenges, and career development.

📣 Calendar & Communication

Stay connected and never miss an update.

📅

Calendar

Google Calendar →
Apple Calendar →

💬

Slack

#21_techtalent_batch8

✉️

Team Email

techtalent@motionlab.berlin

The Challenges

5 real-world engineering challenges from industry partners.

InfraTec

AI-Enhanced Fire Detection System
Program Leader: Dr. Fabian Göttfert (Development Manager)
Team Coach: Dash Markova · Tech Coach: Silko Barth

"How can we use AI and machine learning to make fire detection smarter and safer?"

  • Build AI-enhanced fire detection integrating thermal and visual cameras
  • Tackle false alarms from vehicle exhaust, sun reflections, artificial lighting
  • Optimize models for real-time performance
  • Test prototypes under real-world conditions
Computer Science Data Science AI/ML Electrical Eng. Physics

Theben

Smart Movement Detection
Program Leader: Robertino Saupp (Senior Director R&D)
Team Coach: Dash Markova · Tech Coach: Raul Quesada Navarro

"How can sensor and camera integration redefine the future of smart building automation?"

  • Design and prototype a mechanical casing for movement detection sensor with integrated cameras
  • Integrate hardware and software for real-time detection with KNX/DALI compatibility
  • Test and optimize under real-world conditions
Mechanical Eng. Electrical Eng. Computer Science Software Eng.

DiaMonTech

Automated Test Station
Program Leader: Dr. Michael Kaluza (CTO)
Team Coach: Dash Markova · Tech Coach: Raul Quesada Navarro

"How can we automate testing to make non-invasive glucose measurement more reliable and scalable?"

  • Design and build an automated test station
  • Assemble and test 50-70 prototypes
  • Automate manual processes with flow-cell system and pump integration
  • Validate measurement protocols for accuracy under real lab conditions
Electrical Eng. Mechanical Eng. Physics

UCANEO

Immersive Direct Air Capture Pavilion
Program Leader: Olivia Suchy (Commercial & Partnerships Manager)
Team Coach: Dash Markova · Tech Coach: Elis Ollero

"How can we translate complex climate technology into an engaging spatial experience?"

  • Design and realize a visitor pavilion with a "wow" effect
  • Develop visitor experience through interactive installations explaining DAC
  • Design for efficient fabrication, modular installation, smooth assembly
  • Create a modern, informative space for adults, families, journalists, industry visitors
Architecture Product Design Industrial Design Communication Design Engineering

Alcemy

Edge Intelligence for Concrete Trucks
Program Leader: Marco Datola
Team Coach: Dash Markova · Tech Coach: Fred Tucker

"What happens when IoT meets the real world?"

  • Get onboarded with current-generation IoT gateway
  • Support fine-tuning of new IoT kit during active field validation on concrete trucks
  • Analyze real-world device and connectivity behavior under harsh conditions
  • Translate field learnings into improvements for next hardware generation
Electrical Eng. Mechatronics Computer Science Embedded Systems

Challenge & Coach Overview

Challenge Program Leader Team Coach Tech Coach
InfraTecInfraTec
 Dr. Fabian Göttfert Dash Markova Silko Barth
ThebenTheben
 Robertino Saupp Dash Markova Raul Quesada Navarro
DiaMonTechDiaMonTech
 Dr. Michael Kaluza Dash Markova Raul Quesada Navarro
UCANEOUCANEO
 Olivia Suchy Dash Markova Elis Ollero
AlcemyAlcemy
 Marco Datola Dash Markova Fred Tucker

Your Team & Coaches

We're here to support you. Reach us via Slack!

Ali Salama

Ali Salama

Program Manager

Your go-to person for everything. The one making sure this program runs smoothly. Questions, ideas, problems? Come to Ali.

Fridtjof Gustavs

Fridtjof Gustavs

Co-Program Manager

Co-Founder of MotionLab.Berlin. Supports the program with admin, organisation, and is always around if you need anything.

Dash Markova

Dash Markova

Team Coach (All 5 Challenges)

Experienced innovation and learning program designer, startup coach, and ecosystem builder. Currently at Klimatic Group. Shapes the program structure, clarifies learning outcomes, and coaches all five teams through their challenges.

Silko Barth

Silko Barth

Tech Coach (InfraTec)

Physicist and engineer with deep expertise in experimental physics, sensor development, and hardware prototyping. Guides the InfraTec team on technology scoping, experiment design, and feasibility.

Raul Quesada Navarro

Raul Quesada Navarro

Tech Coach (DiaMonTech + Theben)

Mechanical and electronics engineer at Raquena Engineering. Hands-on experience in product design, embedded systems, PCB/electronics, and full-stack engineering. Supports DiaMonTech and Theben teams on hardware, prototyping, and system architecture.

Fred Tucker

Fred Tucker

Tech Coach (Alcemy)

Background in product development, venture building, and operational execution. Strong at breaking down complex goals into actionable steps. Helps the Alcemy team structure their work, keep priorities clear, and deliver results.

Elis Ollero

Elis Ollero

Tech Coach (Ucaneo)

Architect who has built a large part of MotionLab.Berlin's physical infrastructure. Expert on wood structures and fabrication. Guides the Ucaneo team to ensure everything is built right and helps students achieve the best results.

🤫 Secret tip: Our tech coaches are brilliant Swiss army knives. They know our place inside-out, how to utilize our machinery, and have a great network of manufacturers and suppliers. Reach out to them anytime!

The Program Schedule

12 weeks of hands-on engineering, workshops, and real-world experience.

Mandatory
Optional
Workshop
Mandatory
Event
Trip
Week 1 — Kickoff 09.03 – 15.03.2026
▼
📅 Monday, 09 March
Mon 09.0310:30–11:30

🧊 Welcoming & Icebreaker

Welcome to Batch 8! — Meeting Room

Mandatory
Mon 09.0311:30–12:30

🏁 MotionLab.Berlin Onboarding

Community introduction and first get-together — Main Event Stage

Mandatory
Mon 09.0313:00–15:00

🎯 Design Thinking & User-Centered Design

Hands-on session on the Design Thinking process — Main Event Stage

Mandatory
📅 Tuesday, 10 March
Tue 10.0310:00–16:00

🏢 Tech Challenge Givers Day

Full day with the challenge companies

Mandatory
Tue 10.0310:30–12:00

🔍 Problem Finding & Stakeholder Alignment

Learn to identify the right problems and align with stakeholders

Mandatory
Tue 10.0313:00–15:00

🤝 Meet your Challenge Giver + 📸 Batch Photo

Meet your challenge giver, get to know each other, define deliverables, and take batch photos

Mandatory
📅 Wednesday, 11 March
Wed 11.0310:30–12:30

🗺️ Agile Project Management & Roadmap

Create a roadmap with milestones and define team roles

Mandatory
Wed 11.0313:00–14:30

🛠️ How to Build the Right Thing, the First Time

Aligning product development with user needs

Mandatory
📅 Thursday, 12 March
Thu 12.0310:30–13:00

🧱 Project Milestone Development

Complete your roadmap with deliverables, responsibilities, and team communication. Building on the previous workshops.

Mandatory
Thu 12.0313:30–15:30

🛠️ Engineering Through Iterative Validation

Learn iterative prototyping and validation methods

Mandatory
📅 Friday, 13 March
Fri 13.0315:30–16:30

🏗️🌱🔥💡🧬 Meet Your Coach

Each team meets their assigned coach

Mandatory
Fri 13.0316:30–19:00

🍕🍻 Alumni Meetup & Pizza Get-Together

Meet Tech Coaches, Program Manager and Alumni from previous batches. Casual networking over pizza and beer.

Optional
Week 2 16.03 – 22.03.2026
▼
Week 2

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Wed/ThuTBA

🗺️ Roadmap Check-In with Challenge Giver

Team leads present the team's roadmap to the challenge giver for alignment and feedback. Mandatory for team leads.

Mandatory
Week 3 — München 23.03 – 29.03.2026
▼
Week 3

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Wed 25.03Evening

🚂 München Trip — Departure

Travel to Munich on Wednesday evening. Limited to 15 spots — sign up early!

Trip
Thu 26.03Full day

🚂 München Trip — Return

Full day in Munich, returning Thursday. More details TBA.

Trip
Week 3

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 4 30.03 – 05.04.2026
▼
Week 4

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Week 4

🗣️ Coaching Check-In

Meet with your coach to discuss current progress, challenges, and solutions

Mandatory
Week 4

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 5 06.04 – 12.04.2026
▼
Week 5

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Tue 07.0416:00–19:00

🎙️ The Art of Public Speaking

Learn to present with confidence, develop your story, and own the room
Teams: 🔥 InfraTec & 💡 Theben

Mandatory
Week 5

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 6 — BreakfastInMotion 13.04 – 19.04.2026
▼
Week 6

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Week 6

🗣️ Coaching Check-In

Meet with your coach to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps

Mandatory
Wed 15.0410:00–12:00

🎤🥐 BreakfastInMotion — YOU ARE ON STAGE!

Present your work in a 15min talk at our Community Breakfast
Teams: 🔥 InfraTec & 💡 Theben

Event
Week 6

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 7 20.04 – 26.04.2026
▼
Week 7

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Mon 20.0416:00–19:00

🎙️ The Art of Public Speaking

Learn to present with confidence, develop your story, and own the room
Teams: 🧬 DiaMonTech, 🌱 Ucaneo & 🏗️ Alcemy

Mandatory
Week 7

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 8 — BreakfastInMotion 27.04 – 03.05.2026
▼
Week 8

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Week 8

🗣️ Coaching Check-In

Meet with your coach to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps

Mandatory
Wed 29.0410:00–12:00

🎤🥐 BreakfastInMotion — YOU ARE ON STAGE!

Present your work at Community Breakfast
Teams: 🧬 DiaMonTech, 🌱 Ucaneo & 🏗️ Alcemy

Event
Week 8

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 9 04.05 – 10.05.2026
▼
Week 9

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Week 9

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
TBD

🔧 Würth Elektronik Workshop Day

Hands-on workshops: EMC/EMI, Crimping, Wireless Connectivity, RedCubes. Date to be confirmed.

Workshop
Week 10 11.05 – 17.05.2026
▼
Week 10

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Week 10

🗣️ Coaching Check-In

Meet with your coach to discuss progress and prepare for the final stretch

Mandatory
TBD
Week 10

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 11 18.05 – 24.05.2026
▼
Week 11

📋 Weekly Check-In — Challenge

Weekly check-in with your Tech Challenge coach. At least the team lead must attend.

Mandatory Meeting
Week 11

🗣️ Coaching Check-In

Final coaching session before graduation — polish your presentation and project

Mandatory
Week 11

🔧 Machinery Workshops

Book on Eventbrite

Workshop
Week 12 — Graduation 🎉 25.05 – 31.05.2026
▼
Week 12

📋 Final Check-In — Challenge

The last check-in before you graduate! Congrats!

Mandatory
Thu 28.0517:00–20:00

🎉🎤 Graduation Day & Final Presentations

Present your work on stage! Receive your Tech Talent Batch #8 certificate. Celebrate!

Mandatory

What Alumni Say

Hear from participants of previous batches.

Mandeep Karn
Mandeep Karn Batch #7
"MotionLab did not just teach me tech, it taught me to thrive in the storm. I discovered reservoirs of resilience I did not know existed. That voice whispering 'You are not enough'? I rewired it to scream 'Adapt. Iterate. Outlast.'"
Read on LinkedIn
Ahmed Omar
Ahmed Omar Batch #7
"The program not only allowed me to apply the skills I gained during my studies but also introduced me to the vibrant MotionLab community and Berlin's dynamic startup ecosystem. If you're a student in Berlin, I highly encourage you to apply!"
Read on LinkedIn
Qassim Gazi
Qassim Gazi Batch #7
"From day one, I was amazed by the supportive and collaborative environment where everyone was eager to share their knowledge. The hands-on approach helped us solve real-world problems and gave us confidence as we approached graduation."
Read on LinkedIn
Daria Gorskaia
Daria Gorskaia Batch #7
"Grateful to have been part of this experience. It was an incredible opportunity to learn, grow and push my skills further. Best mentorship I could have asked for."
Read on LinkedIn
Sona Vardanyan
Sona Vardanyan Batch #7
"Workshops covering everything from project management to public speaking equipped us with valuable skills. This experience has been unforgettable, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented and passionate individuals."
Read on LinkedIn

Good to Know

Everything you need before your first day.

📍

Getting Here

  • Bouchéstraße 12, Halle 20, 12435 Berlin (Alt-Treptow)
  • 🚋 S Treptower Park (S41, S42, S9) — 8 min walk
  • 🚌 Bus M43, 165, 265 — stop Eichenstr./Puschkinallee, 1 min walk
  • 🚇 U Schlesisches Tor (U1, U3) — 15 min walk
  • Halle 20 is in the back of the courtyard. Follow the signs!
🏗️

Your Workspace

  • 24/7 access with your Professional Membership
  • Shared desks, meeting rooms, kitchen with fridge
  • Full machine shop: laser cutters, 3D printers, electronics lab, wood and metal workshop
  • Bring your own laptop. Everything else is provided.
🔧

Workshops & Booking

📋

Mandatory Sessions

  • All sessions tagged "Mandatory" require attendance (checked on-site)
  • Weekly check-ins: at least the team lead must attend
  • BreakfastInMotion: your team presents on stage
  • Graduation Day: final presentations and certificates
💬

Stay Connected

  • Slack: Dedicated Batch #8 channel for quick comms
  • Calendar: All events and schedule updates (Google · Apple)
  • Reach the program team anytime via Slack
🎒

Week 1 Checklist

  • Be at the Frontdesk / Kitchen by 10:15 AM latest. Ali will be there to welcome you.
  • Bring your laptop, charger, and a notebook
  • Lunch is not provided. Plenty of options nearby or bring your own.
  • First week is packed. Arrive ready to go!

Find Us

Bouchéstraße 12, Halle 20, 12435 Berlin

Batch #8 Challenge Partners

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