Welcome to Chemovator
Who are we?
Chemovator is your protected space to turn bold ideas around chemistry into thriving businesses.
We provide a protected space for our Venture Teams to dream big, take risk, and pursue their business idea with entrepreneurial drive.
We are the tool for BASF to unconventionally test highly uncertain business ideas. We act fast and lean, free from classical corporate boundaries. We empower employees to take ownership of their ideas and grow as entrepreneurs and business leaders.
What do we offer our Venture Teams?

Protected space
We ensure independence and autonomy from classical corporate structures and processes.

Learning organization
We embrace a culture of fail-fast and see mistakes as opportunities to learn.

Supporting structure
Our operational support allows Venture Teams to fully focus on their business idea.

Commercial relevance
Our focus lies on business incubation driven by market and customer feedback.

Professional coaching
Our experienced founders and investors mentor and support our Venture Teams.

Networks
We provide access to internal resources and external networks.
How do we work?
Setup
Our Venture Teams form the center of our attention
Venture Teams
Dedicated teams of 2-3 people
Max. 12 teams
Turn business ideas into scalable business models
Entrepreneurs in Residence
Act as coaches and mentors
Support Chemovator
Chemovator Core Team
Run and develop Chemovator
Support the Venture Teams from behind the scene
Chemovator Journey
Entry Pitch
Idea owners pitch their venture idea
Validation Phase
Test & refine initial assumptions
Early market feedback
Build & test prototype
End-of-validation Pitch
Venture Teams pitch their validated concept
Incubation Phase
Refine & validate assumptions
Write business case
Build team
Refine product / market test
Prepare exit
End of Chemovator Journey
Spin-in or spin-out
Venture Team members return to BASF or found their own business
Want to join Chemovator?
Submit a short description of your idea below. We will then evaluate your proposal and come back to you with personal feedback. If we see a potential fit, you will be invited to the next official Entry Pitch day. Then you get the chance to explain your idea to a jury consisting of Chemovator employees and our Entrepreneurs in Residence.
Find next Entry Pitch dates here.
At present, we only accept applications from BASF-employees.
But wait! We will open-up to external startups soon, so stay tuned!
Not sure or not ready yet?
There are other ways to engage with us and our community prior to a pitch: Join us in one of our Startup Bootcamps to refine your idea with experts and learn how to pitch. Or join us at one of our Open-Mic sessions to pitch, hear pitches and network in a casual and fun setting.