New Middle Franconian start-up hub launches
From now on, the Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub will provide even more support for start-ups.
On 1 November 2023, work will begin at the Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub, a hub in Central Franconia where start-ups are to be promoted even more strongly. The hub is organised by a university alliance consisting of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg Simon Ohm (Ohm) and Nuremberg University of Technology (UTN). The project, which is funded by the Free State of Bavaria as part of the "Hightech Transfer Bayern" initiative, aims to support start-ups by transferring knowledge and technologies.
In order to establish Bavaria even more strongly as a start-up state, the "Hightech Transfer Bayern" campaign supports young entrepreneurs in setting up their own business. Start-up hubs have been set up in the university regions of Swabia, Upper Franconia, Lower Franconia, Eastern Bavaria and Central Franconia so that the entrepreneurial spirit can also be put into practice. Through study programmes, financial start-up assistance and practical support, the regional hubs aim to develop and expand start-up training.
Within this framework, the Ohm, FAU, Ansbach University of Applied Sciences and UTN represent the Central Franconian university region: The Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub offers a three-stage qualification programme for students, in which they form cross-university teams, design innovative projects, implement them - and readjust them depending on the results. Particular attention is also paid to the transfer of the newly developed products and services from the projects to the business world as the final step of the start-up phase. Elective events, stays abroad at partner institutions and a start-up track to prepare for founding a company round off the programme.
Prof Dr Tilman Botsch, Vice President for Research and Transfer at the Ohm, is delighted about the additional support for start-up activities: "For us as a university of applied sciences, the topic of start-ups is a particularly important one and we are pleased that we will be able to provide even better support to students interested in setting up their own business in future. Start-up support is already very well developed at our university, especially as part of the successful Ohm-Potentiale initiative. I see the fact that we can now contribute our extensive experience in this area to the Mittelfranken start-up hub as a great opportunity for our university and the region. Together, we will certainly be able to achieve many successes."
Kathrin Möslein, Vice President Outreach at FAU, is also positive about the start-up hub: "We are very pleased to be able to further intensify our cooperation with the other partners in the field of entrepreneurship. The potential of the Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub is enormous and will benefit both students who are keen to set up their own business as well as science, the start-up culture at FAU and, of course, the Bavarian economy. Looking at THE Impact Ranking, in which FAU tops the rankings in the field of innovation, we can proudly say that the funding from Hightech Transfer Bayern is well invested. The funding is fuelling the activities of our ZOLLHOF incubator to strengthen the northern Bavarian start-up ecosystem."
Over a period of five years, the high-tech offensive will fund the Entrepreneurial Innovation Hub with around 480,000 euros and two permanent positions. In the event of a subsequent positive evaluation, the Central Franconian hub can be made permanent. Students can apply for admission to the programme from spring 2024. The first two modules are planned for the winter semester 2024/25 for the first time, with the final module scheduled for the summer semester 2025.
