Entrepreneurship: Launching a spin-off at Forschungszentrum Jülich

Become an entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs from science know about the potential of their research results. Planning comprehensively and adopting a strategic approach help them to successfully launch their company and anticipate risks.

Your Research, Your Impact, Your Start-up

Take control of the future of your research: Turn your findings into marketable products or services – with our support. We’ll guide you through financing, business planning, and connecting you to the right network to make your idea a success.

Got an idea with market potential? We’ll support you every step of the way – from the initial concept to a successful spin-off.

Schedule your initial consultation now

Why start a business?

Starting a company allows researchers to maintain control over the development of their technology. As a founder, you can turn your vision into reality: Greater autonomy and flexibility make it easier to drive your research and innovations forward.

Jülich spin-offs show that it's possible: Explore current spin-offs

What are the benefits?

✅ You bring your research into practice.

✅ You gain access to funding & networks.

✅ You get to make your own decisions as a founder.

✅ You have experienced support by your side.

How to get started

Evaluate your idea

Let's talk

Funding for spin-offs

Receive Funding

JUICE Program

Learn to launch a start-up

Start-up Days in Berlin - 15 - 16 October 2025

Experience two days of inspiration, hands-on workshops, and coaching at Start-up Days 2025. Develop your idea—from research to real-world impact—together with experts.

Learn more

How we support you each step of the way

Let's talk: Schedule a consultation

Evaluate Your Idea

Create Your Business Plan

Secure Your Funding

Clarify Legal Questions

Learn, Connect, Launch

On their way to launch a start-up

Drought Analytics

Drought Analytics develops data-driven solutions for accurate drought and water scarcity forecasting. Using innovative climate data analysis, the team aims to support companies, authorities, and farmers in identifying risks early and developing sustainable management strategies.

Clean H2eat

How can hydrogen be used without producing CO₂ or nitrogen oxides? Simon Hahn, a chemical engineer from Jülich, has an answer: he replaces the flame with a catalyst and is developing a technology that delivers emission-free process heat. His upcoming spin-off aims to benefit both industry and the environment.

MiBioLab

The spin-off project MiBioLab develops a platform to analyze and optimize microbiological production processes faster and more efficiently — automated, scalable, and sustainable. It is ideal for companies looking to advance biotechnological processes or bring them into industrial application.

For Young Researchers: Free and Hands-On

From Idea to Application: Learn the Basics

Identify transfer potential, develop business models, and take the first steps toward founding your own company: Learn from experts, connect with like-minded individuals, and move your research toward the market.

For All Helmholtz Researchers

Practical Training for Transfer & Innovation: HAFIS Academy

Develop new skills and practical transfer strategies, business models, and collaboration approaches for your research.

Internationale Entrepreneurship Plattform

Entrepreneur First

Entrepreneur First is a global platform that matches ambitious individuals to international co-founder teams - and specifically matches them with investors and partners in new start-ups.

Young Entrepreneurs in Science Initiative

YES Programme

The YES Initiative's training programs provide young scientists with new career perspectives, even during their doctoral studies. YES offers workshops, mentoring, funding opportunities, and networking platforms to support their professional development.

Jülich Start-up Accelerator for Green-Tech

Zebra Startups

Startup programs for zebra companies: The Startup Village at Brainergypark supports early-stage startups in the GreenTech and impact entrepreneurship sectors throughout their founding journey.

Mistakes Do Happen

Venturing into the world of startups is a bold move, and Vitali Weißbecker, founder of Jülich-based spin-off company Precors, knows this firsthand.

Read the interview

Sustainable Home for Start-ups

Jülich Startup Village

At Startup Village Jülich, founders, startups, and SMEs benefit from a unique ecosystem with support and modern infrastructures that foster sustainable ideas and innovations.

Regional start-up support

GründerRegion

The GründerRegion Aachen supports start-ups from the region. The information and advisory services are largely free of charge and practice-oriented.

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Existenzgründungsportal

The Existenzgründungsportal (Start-up Portal) of the BMWK brings together resources, media, and services for founders. The Expertenforum (Expert Forum) provides a platform to directly address specific questions and seek expert advice.