Braunschweig: Innovative research makes it a hotspot for start-ups Seven spin-offs from Technische Universität Braunschweig supported by QIMP Hightech Incubator
The QIMP Hightech Incubator jury has selected seven TU Braunschweig spin-offs for funding. Together with three other start-ups, they mark the beginning of a new state funding scheme for entrepreneurs looking to commercialise scientific innovations. By 2028, QIMP will support up to 30 so-called deep tech start-ups in the region with eight million euros.
Quantum technologies, information technology, mobility and production technology: the initials of QIMP stand for four areas in which the path to market maturity is particularly long and rocky for entrepreneurs. This is because the ideas behind the start-ups often originate in basic research, which requires costly infrastructure to be used at the highest international level. To make the leap from the laboratory to the market, scientific expertise is required, as well as time and space to develop more robust manufacturing processes.
To create a safe path through this “Death Valley”, Technische Universität Braunschweig, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and Braunschweig Zukunft GmbH have designed the QIMP High-Tech Incubator. Over the past five years, a completely new start-up scene has emerged in the field of quantum technologies in particular, and it now has the necessary infrastructure in the form of start-up laboratories in the former Rollei works. State funding for QIMP builds on these successes, specifically closing the financing gap that often hinders the growth of young companies. Additional support comes from a broad network of regional and national partners, including the Innovation Society of Technische Universität Braunschweig (iTUBS) and Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS).
Selection of the ten most innovative start-ups
Twenty-five start-up applications were received for the first phase of the funding programme. A jury comprising members of TU Braunschweig, PTB, economic development agencies, regional SMEs, NBank and the state initiative Niedersachsen.next Startup selected ten particularly innovative start-ups. Seven of these start-ups are spin-offs from Technische Universität Braunschweig. These companies will now receive targeted support to further develop their forward-looking technologies and successfully establish them on the market.
The start-ups in detail
- Aeon Robotics GmbH – develops humanoid robot systems with AI-supported grippers that flexibly automate complex tasks
- Gaia Aerospace GmbH – reusable AirLaunch system for cost-efficient transport of micro and nanosatellites
- LBR Manufacturing GmbH i.G. – super-compact, easy-to-use milling machines for industrial manufacturing
- Synara Technologies GmbH – photonic AI processors with high energy efficiency and low latency
- Terametro GmbH – measuring instruments for electromagnetic signals
- Sentics GmbH – AI-supported software for real-time occupational safety
- Recycling Fabrik GmbH – recycling plastic waste into 3D printing filament
- CDO2 Germany UG – real-time imaging of EV batteries for optimised performance and safety
- QB-Innovation GmbH – quantum-based sensors for pressure, temperature and gas composition
- Twin Photonics GmbH – fully chip-based, turnkey sources of entangled photon pairs for quantum-secure communication
