Universities in Thuringia Express Concern over Inadequate Establishment Conditions - Struggling start-up environment at Thuringian universities grumbles university officials
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In a bid to boost the startup landscape in Thuringia, universities and government bodies are focusing on improving funding access, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and addressing skills shortages.
Funding Improvement
Thuringia's universities are looking to leverage existing venture capital funds such as the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), which actively supports tech startups, including those in Thuringia, by providing seed and early-stage funding with a strong backing from government and industry partners.
New European and national funding programs like the EIC Pre-Accelerator 2025, targeting deep tech startups with innovative technologies, are also being utilised. Encouraging the active use of subsidies and loans from agencies such as BAFA and KfW for energy-efficient and sustainability-related projects is facilitating climate-conscious startup growth.
Reducing Bureaucratic Hurdles
Promoting transparency and collaboration through open manufacturing initiatives is helping startups bypass complex individual resource acquisitions by sharing tools, know-how, and standardized components, leading to faster market entry. Streamlined administrative procedures for startup registration and participation in energy/cooperative projects, as exemplified by citizen participation models in energy projects, are being implemented to reduce regulatory complexity.
Addressing Skills Shortage
Enhancing networking and knowledge-sharing platforms to connect startups with experienced investors and experts is crucial. Supporting pilot projects and innovative hubs, such as the HEAT 35 project in Zeulenroda, which create ecosystems that attract and retain skilled professionals by promoting cutting-edge technologies and sustainable urban development, is also key. Investing in education and training aligned with startup needs, particularly in digital tech, industrial tech, and climate technologies, is matching the investment focus of major VC funds active in the region.
Together, these strategies create a more attractive startup ecosystem in Thuringia by improving financing opportunities, simplifying bureaucratic processes, and strengthening the skills base needed for innovative company growth and climate-focused technological development.
Adequate funding for the startup services of the universities that support students and scientific employees in their projects is also important. The University of Erfurt, for instance, has made a previously federally funded position permanent this year but seeks further structural funding from the state for long-term security.
Negotiations for the next double budget have begun this week. The Thuringian "blackberry" coalition aims to expand support for university startup initiatives in its coalition agreement. The city, district, and chamber of commerce are potential sources of support for "hike" in Nordhausen, where the in-house startup service has supported 16 startups this year, but the future of the project is uncertain due to the end of federal funding.
Despite the challenges, the transition in the economic environment is difficult, according to a spokesperson for the University of Schmalkalden. However, the universities see the need for the development of further financing options, such as public co-investments, to overcome these hurdles. The Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena and the FSU Jena are part of the startup factory consortium, aiming to double the number of startups in Saxony and Thuringia by 2030, with a focus on innovative technologies known as "deep tech".
The survey found that not all findings and innovations are immediately transferred to practice, according to Jena University. Universities also aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, for example in the registration and approval of patents. The shortage of skilled workers and high demand for labor have made startups less attractive, according to the two universities. Universities will become part of the mid-German startup factory, a cross-university and cross-state lighthouse project.
Last year, there were six spin-offs in Jena and Erfurt, but this number increased to 15 in 2022. The lack of investments from other investors is often a critical bottleneck for startups after initial seed funding. Thuringian universities have identified room for improvement in their startup climate, as reported by the German Press Agency.
In conclusion, the strategies outlined above aim to create a more conducive environment for startups in Thuringia, fostering innovation, and supporting climate-conscious technological development.
- To further support the growth of startups in Thuringia and attract more investments, the universities are exploring opportunities for public co-investments, recognizing the need for diverse funding sources to overcome the existing challenges.
- As part of the mid-German startup factory, universities aim to streamline the process of patent registration and approval, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and facilitating the transfer of innovative findings from education and research to industry.
