TU Darmstadt and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) welcome the state of Hesse's 2030 start-up strategy
The Technical University of Darmstadt and the Darmstadt Rhine-Main-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce welcome the new Start-up Strategy 2030 of the state of Hesse. Both institutions see it as a great opportunity to further develop Darmstadt as a leading location for technology-oriented start-ups.
The state's strategy for Darmstadt envisions a future focus on deep tech, green tech, aerospace, and data and artificial intelligence. From the perspective of TU Darmstadt and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), this should now lead to the development of a high-performing deep tech cluster that more closely connects research institutions, startups, companies, and investors.
Darmstadt is already an important location for startups
“We support the goal of the start-up strategy to create an integrated and therefore even stronger start-up ecosystem in Hesse from many valuable individual activities,” explains TU President Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl.
Darmstadt is already considered one of the most important locations for science-based technology startups in Hesse. Institutions such as the Technical University of Darmstadt, the HIGHEST startup center, HUB31, and the cesah space center form the basis for a strong innovation network.
Over the past ten years, more than 300 startups have emerged from this environment. Around 250 companies are still active and have collectively raised approximately €595 million in private capital. Among the best-known Darmstadt-based startups are Focused Energy, Wingcopter, Energy Robotics, etalytics, and Magnotherm.
Focus on prototypes and market launch
According to TU Darmstadt and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), scientific excellence alone is not enough. Especially in the deep-tech sector, additional structures are needed to translate research results more quickly into marketable products and companies.
These include access to pilot customers, investors, patent protection, testing environments, and support with regulatory issues. A deep-tech cluster can bundle these offerings and significantly accelerate technology transfer.
“For deep tech, Darmstadt is the place to be in Hesse,” emphasizes Robert Lippmann, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Now it is important to implement the goals of the state strategy concretely and to strategically expand existing strengths.
Positive effects for the entire region
Those involved expect that further strengthening the innovation hub will have a positive impact on the entire economic region. Companies could gain easier access to new technologies and talent, while start-ups would benefit from industrial partners and initial application areas.
In the coming months, TU Darmstadt, HIGHEST, and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), together with companies, investors, and other partners, plan to develop a concrete concept for a Darmstadt deep-tech cluster. The goal is to establish the region as an internationally recognized innovation hub in the long term.
The startup incubator FUTURY also supports this approach. Managing Director Charlie Müller sees great potential in the region's natural sciences and engineering for technologies that can transform entire industries. The crucial factor, he says, is bringing innovations from the laboratories to practical application as quickly as possible.
(DARMSTADT – RED/TU/IHK)
