Science and Entrepreneurship
TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum both consistently rank among the top ten universities in Germany for knowledge transfer, as recognized by the national start-up ranking “Gründungsradar”. This regular assessment highlights the exceptional start-up support offered by German universities. At the Ruhr Innovation Lab, we are passionate about fostering talent in all its diverse forms and at every level because we are convinced that the next groundbreaking ideas are within reach—however, starting a business can be tricky. Thus, we have implemented extensive start-up support structures that guide students and researchers through their first steps in founding a company. At the same time, we are continually forging new alliances with scientific institutions, businesses, innovators, and investors to stimulate economic growth and generate meaningful impact for society.
Forging New Alliances
BRYCK Startup Alliance
Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University are central partners of the BRYCK Startup Alliance that is building a leading innovation center for the development of high-growth B2B tech start-ups in the Ruhr area. In July 2025, the BRYCK Startup Alliance succeeded as one of ten Startup Factories in the EXIST lighthouse competition and as such will receive a funding of up to 10 million euros by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs.
UA Ruhr Transfer GmbH
The UA Ruhr Transfer GmbH was founded by Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen to promote cooperation and the transfer of knowledge and technology between the universities, research institutions and industry. Its aim is to strengthen the exchange between business, science and social stakeholders, particularly in the Ruhr region.
Successful Start-Ups
The Ruhr Innovation Lab offers ideal conditions to turn visionary ideas into market-ready innovations. With a strong tradition of fostering successful start-ups and many promising young ventures, it is shaping industries and driving innovation forward.. A selection of these successful start-ups showcases the creativity and entrepreneurial excellence nurtured within the lab.
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Elmos Semiconductor SE was founded in 1984 as a spin-off from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Dortmund University. The company specializes in intelligent microchip solutions for the automotive industry. Located within the technology park Dortmund, Elmos operates 19 locations worldwide and employs more than 1,100 staff. The company advances global trends such as electric mobility, autonomous driving, and software-defined vehicles. -
The team behind deep tech start-up “GEMESYS”, comprising the four founders and members of Ruhr University Dr. Dennis Michaelis, Dr. Enver Solan, Moritz Schmidt, and Daniel Krüger, is working on a computer chip for the next generation of artificial intelligence. GEMESYS uses the human brain as a model for its AI chip, as it processes information faster and more efficiently than any machine. -
Since its founding in 1997, the adesso Group has emerged as one of Germany's leading IT service providers. A spin-off from TU Dortmund University, adesso offers customized technological solutions. Headquartered in Dortmund, the group employs over 10,700 staff across more than 65 locations. The company fosters knowledge transfer between research and practice by collaborating with universities through an advisory board. -
“PHYSEC GmbH”, founded by Ruhr University Bochum researchers Prof. Christian Zenger and Dr. Heiko Koepke, has developed the Anti-Tamper Radio Module, a mini radar that protects digital devices from physical tampering. The mini radar can generate a unique fingerprint of the device’s entire hardware in a very energy-efficient manner. -
Founded in 1980 as a spin-off from the Department of Computer Science at TU Dortmund University, the Materna Group has grown into a leading player in the IT and digitalization sector. Headquartered in Dortmund, Materna employs 4,500 staff across more than 40 locations worldwide. The company delivers innovative and sustainable IT solutions. -
Marya Kapenda, a management and economics student at Ruhr University Bochum, teamed up with Ben Aziabou to found the start-up “afro drinks by bam GmbH” to distribute the African drink Bissap. This refreshing drink, made from the dried flowers of the hibiscus plant, is widely consumed in many West African countries, but is largely unknown in Germany. -
Founded in 2020, vGreens optimizes vertical food cultivation in urban greenhouses with software that uses artificial intelligence to control irrigation, lighting, and temperature. In 2022, the pilot farm for strawberries opened in the Ruhr region, and in 2025, an industrial facility was inaugurated in Singapore. Claas Ahrens, one of the co-founders of vGreens, is an alumnus of TU Dortmund University, and the university also has an investment stake in the start-up. -
The Ruhr University Bochum start-up “HoLa” has developed a new ultra-short pulse laser that uses an unprecedented wavelength of 2.1 micrometers, enabling new applications in science and industry. Now the team wants to find out how and in which areas of science and industry the HoLa laser can be used most effectively. -
Since its founding in 2017, MotionMiners, a TU Dortmund University spin-off, has developed technology that uses mobile sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to analyze movement and optimize manual work processes. Founded by Sascha Kaczmarek, Sascha Feldhorst, and René Grzeszick, the company now has over 60 employees and is based in the Dortmund Technology Park. In 2023, MotionMiners received the Innovation Prize from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. -
Founded in 2013 by Volker Köster, Andreas Lewandowski, and Ron Winkler, Comnovo is a spin-off of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Dortmund University. The founders’ first product was a sensor system that warned of collisions between people and construction vehicles. Building on this, the company developed assistance systems for industrial vehicles — essentially, a navigation system for the world of intralogistics. In 2017, the startup was acquired by Linde Material Handling, part of the KION Group. -
Developed at the Department of Computer Science at TU Dortmund University by Ingo Mierswa and Ralf Klinkenberg, RapidMiner is a data analysis technology that has since become one of the most widely used big data analysis tools worldwide. The company was spun off in 2006 and began expanding internationally in 2013. In 2022, Altair, a global leader in computer science and artificial intelligence, acquired the former Dortmund-based startup. -
The Ruhr University Bochum start-up “Glim Skin” relies on the antimicrobial effect of cold plasma and chemical-free, environmentally friendly production to treat acne and other skin blemishes. The principle is based on research findings from the Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, where founder Dr. Friederike Kogelheide completed her doctorate. -
The award-winning start-up Simplyfined is able to produce platform chemicals for industry based on vegetable oils as renewable raw materials. The company was founded in 2025 based on a process developed by Maximilian Spiekermann at the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering at TU Dortmund University. As part of a federal funding program, the start-up received €1.7 million to build a fully continuous pilot plant. -
Elisabeth Jacobsohn who graduated in art history from Ruhr University Bochum, has developed “Artventure”, an app that makes public art more accessible to everyone. The app provides essential information about works of art in public spaces. For example, sculptures, street art, light art, and much more can be discovered in the immediate vicinity. -
The company “Picoshape,” founded by Dr. Nils Surkamp, Felix Behlau, Dr. Benedikt Hofmeister, and Jasper Helle, is working on a revolution in micro 3D printing. A facility is currently being built at Ruhr University Bochum that will further develop existing micro 3D printers using an innovative diode laser. The department of photonics and terahertz technology as well as the department of laser application technology are involved in this project. -
With a smart office chair called “Hipwings”, the start-up “Vintus” from Ruhr University Bochum wants to promote movement in the workplace and prevent illness. The seating system developed by the two founders, Dr. Johannes Wappenschmidt and Ahmed Chekir, automatically integrates movement into everyday working life and is designed to combat common ailments such as back pain, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Excellent Support for Founders
The Ruhr Innovation Lab offers exceptional support for knowledge- and technology-based start-ups. Each university within the network has its own dedicated start-up center, providing training programs, equipment, and facilities designed to foster spin-offs from universities while promoting entrepreneurship among students and researchers.
In 2019, the WorldFactory at Ruhr University Bochum and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer at TU Dortmund University were recognized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia as “Exzellenz Start-up Center.NRW.” Additionally, they were selected to lead state-wide initiatives focusing on AI-driven start-ups and female entrepreneurship. Both universities rank among the top ten large universities in Germany’s “Gründungsradar 2025” start-up ranking.
Resources and Spaces for Innovation
Makerspace: Where Ideas Come to Life
The Ruhr area is home to countless creative minds, brimming with innovative ideas—but sometimes they lack the tools to bring their visions to life. That’s where the Makerspace at Ruhr University Bochum steps in. Situated in the former Opel administration building on Mark 51°7, it features workshops and labs equipped with everything from 3D printers to plotting or knitting machines. The Makerspace is open to everyone. Because sometimes, people with great ideas just need a little help to get started. It is more than just a space; it’s a community where innovative concepts find the support they need to take flight.
tu capital: Fueling Innovation
TU capital, a subsidiary of TU Dortmund University, operates an early-stage venture capital fund to support innovative, technology-oriented start-ups from the university's ecosystem, encouraging other investors to provide funding as well. The fund has helped kickstart research-based start-ups that are tackling pressing challenges, among them KyDo Therapeutics, a biotech company that specializes in developing cancer drugs, and vGreens, a deep tech start-up that provides AI-driven solutions for vertical farming.