As the strongest partner in terms of startups, KIT brings its experience in startup support to the initiative. With over 40 spin-offs per year, currently 13 investments in companies founded at KIT, and a strong network of research partners, companies, and investors, KIT is one of Germany’s leading startup universities.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Hirth, Vice President for Transfer and International Affairs: “The NXTGN Startup Factory is a flagship project for KIT and Germany as a location for innovation. Through close cooperation with leading universities and companies, we are creating a joint platform for deep tech spin-offs and the ‘next generation of SMEs’. With a focus on deep tech innovations, we are jointly providing decisive impetus for Germany’s innovation and competitiveness.”

The NXTGN alliance underscores the goal we are all working toward: a successful, innovative, and closely networked next generation of companies and their contribution to a sustainable society.

You can find more information about the competition here.

Our goals

By 2030, we want to make a major contribution to transformation:

• 15,000 participants

15,000 participants in programs run by cooperation partners and joint formats, with 30% female founders and 10% international participants, and targeted support for barrier-free formats and migrant founders.

• 300+ new deep tech startups

Targeted support for activating researchers through new formats, involvement of business partners, faster IP transfer, and more efficient access to laboratory and production space.

• 1,000 matches

Connecting startups with the specific transformation needs of business partners to generate effective matches, orders, partnerships, investments, etc.

• 1 billion in venture capital

Building scalable startups that mobilize more than one billion euros in venture capital for their international growth.

• 10,000 new jobs

Creating jobs in Baden-Württemberg.