TU Darmstadt’s Spin-Off Label Awarded for the First Time
For the first time, Technische Universität Darmstadt has awarded its newly created “Spin-Off Label” to 19 outstanding start-ups. This recognition marks another milestone in promoting science-based business ventures and underscores TU Darmstadt’s position as a key innovation hub in Germany.
The Spin-Off Label, presented by TU Darmstadt’s Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Thomas Walther, honors university-affiliated spin-offs that demonstrate exceptional innovation. The award is based on a multi-stage, criteria-based selection process. “The start-ups awarded the label are a testament to the research strength of our spin-offs,” says Vice President Thomas Walther. “With the ‘Made in Darmstadt’ seal, we not only provide visibility for these innovative companies but also set a quality standard for science-based start-ups.”
Seven of the awarded start-ups were funded through EXIST Research Transfer, eight with the EXIST Start-up Grant, and one through SPRIND. Collectively, these TU Darmstadt spin-offs have created over 460 jobs and secured €170 million in funding.
Innovative Solutions for Global Challenges
The selected start-ups reflect the broad scope of TU Darmstadt’s innovative capabilities: CORAmaps is revolutionizing agriculture with AI-supported satellite analysis, while Core Sensing is advancing Industry 4.0 with IoT sensor solutions. Energy Robotics develops autonomous robotic solutions for hazardous work environments, and Twinetic (formerly I3DEnergy) enhances corporate sustainability through AI-driven energy management. InnoShiftIng provides innovative transmissions for electric vehicles, and Revoltech is setting new standards in materials with its circular leather alternative, LOVR™. Summetix accelerates product development with AI-based data analysis, and Illutherm is revolutionizing industrial heating processes with LED technology. The portfolio is rounded off by groundbreaking developments from Biovox, Carbon-Drive, Core Sensing, Etalytics, Focused Energy, HCP Sense, Innocept Mobility, Persival, Magnotherm, Wingcopter, and other innovators.
Awarding in November 2024 (Fotos: HIGHEST/Benjamin Schenk)
High-Quality Standards for Recognition
The requirements for receiving the Spin-Off Label are intentionally demanding. Start-ups must meet at least three of four core criteria: their innovations are based on TU Darmstadt technologies or know-how, at least one founding member has a direct connection to TU Darmstadt as a researcher, student, or alumnus, a solid business plan demonstrates market potential, and support from TU Darmstadt’s innovation and start-up center, HIGHEST, has been utilized.
Strengthening the Regional Innovation Ecosystem
“We are delighted to award the Spin-Off Label for the first time,” explains Harald Holzer, Managing Director of HIGHEST. “This initial round of awards impressively reflects the diversity of scientific disciplines and strong start-up culture in our region. Increasing the number of spin-offs remains our stated goal—a mission that can only be accomplished in close collaboration with our regional partners.” The Spin-Off Label highlights TU Darmstadt’s strong commitment to actively promoting knowledge and technology transfer to industry and strengthening the region’s status as a high-output innovation hub.
18 Spin-Offs of Technische Universität Darmstadt:
BIOVOX (founded 2021) is a pioneer in medical bioplastics for sustainable and circular healthcare. With long-term regulatory compliance, a broad materials portfolio, and industry-specific expertise, BIOVOX provides the most convenient, safe, and cost-effective solution for MedTech, pharma, and lab manufacturers. (EXIST Start-up Grant)
www.biovox.systems
Carbon-Drive (founded 2016) addresses the growing demand for increasingly dynamic, yet energy-efficient electric motors by replacing metallic components with carbon, setting new standards in power density and dynamics. (EXIST Research Transfer)
COMPREDICT (founded 2016) develops data-based solutions to make vehicles more efficient, safer, and sustainable. Their goal is to establish virtual sensors as a new standard in the automotive industry, enabling precise and continuous monitoring of vehicle components. (EXIST Start-up Grant)
Core Sensing (founded 2019) enables machines to “feel.” With innovative IoT sensor solutions, Core Sensing transforms machines and components into intelligent systems that allow predictive maintenance and process optimization, significantly contributing to digital industry transformation. (EXIST Research Transfer)
Energy Robotics (founded 2019) – Dedicated to relieving humans of dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks through autonomous robotics. (EXIST Research Transfer)
Etalytics (founded 2020) maximizes efficiency through energy intelligence. Etalytics empowers data centers and other industrial sectors with data- and AI-driven energy intelligence solutions to reduce consumption, increase flexibility, improve reliability, cut costs, and minimize environmental impact. (EXIST Start-up Grant)
Focused Energy is an American-German company spin-off from TU Darmstadt in 2021 that will enable safe, clean and almost inexhaustible energy generation through laser-based nuclear fusion in a few years. The young company is based in Darmstadt and Austin, Texas, and employs the best minds from relevant research institutes and universities in Europe and the USA. Focused Energy uses the experience of its founders in fusion research over the past 30 years, coupled with the speed of a young American-German company and private investment, to bring laser-based fusion to market maturity and satisfy the world’s hunger for energy.
HCP Sense (founded 2021) enables customers to build more efficient, reliable machines and operate them at optimal capacity. Through force measurement and lubrication monitoring, HCP Sense’s solutions prevent bearing damage. (EXIST Research Transfer)
InnoShiftIng (founded 2023) increases the range of future electric vehicles while reducing costs with affordable multi-speed transmissions and decoupling units. (EXIST Start-up Grant)
Locate Risk (founded 2021) is a cybersecurity company specializing in attack surface and third-party risk management, helping companies automate cybersecurity processes and enhance their supply chains’ preventive protections. (STARTUP SECURE)
Persival (founded 2021) provides software and services for credible simulation of environmental sensors, enabling safer automated vehicles from passenger cars to public transportation and agricultural machinery.
Twinetic (formerly I3DEnergy, founded 2023) enables companies to monitor and manage energy flows efficiently, reducing costs and CO2 emissions with AI and digital twin technology. (EXIST Research Transfer)
Wingcopter (founded 2017) manufactures electric delivery drones and operates a drone delivery service based in Weiterstadt. Wingcopter focuses on improving medical supply chains and logistics for essential goods worldwide. (EXIST Start-up Grant)