Jumpstart for Start-ups

Start-up – Ecosystem

For over 30 years, the Technologiezentrum Jülich has been offering invaluable support to entrepreneurs through a robust network and flexible workspaces. Meanwhile, the Startup Village at Brainergy Park, with its Zebra Accelerator Program, facilitates market entry for GreenTech startups in NRW.

June 2024

A Home for Start-ups

Jumpstart Start-ups

First!

A Home For Start-ups

Carlo Aretz has been the managing director of the Technologiezentrum Jülich for 25 years. Over 200 companies have launched from here, with over 98% succeeding in the market. The networks and close exchanges with peers at TZJ are invaluable, especially during the challenging startup phase.

"The Technologiezentrum Jülich has been creating entrepreneurial success stories for over 30 years. With the city’s first co-working space, we now offer a new hub for young companies, pre-founders, and anyone looking to experiment.

»Above all, the Technologiezentrum provides ideal opportunities for networking with other entrepreneurs.«

Carlo Aretz
Managing Director, Technologiezentrums Jülich

As a cost-effective alternative to traditional offices, you can book your workspace flexibly. You'll benefit from secretarial services, meeting rooms, our impressive atrium, and much more. Most importantly, the Technologiezentrum offers ideal opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs.

Engage in conversations and learn from each other! Networks create synergies, which can lead to business successes that contribute to the structural transformation of our region.“

www.tz-juelich.de

Co-Working at Technologiezentrum Jülich

Ein Ökosystem für Innovation und Transfer

^{Images: Patricia Heck, Ausdrucksstark / Technologiezentrum Jülich}

Jumpstart for Start-ups: ZebrAC

At Brainergy Park Jülich, both research institutions and established companies work on ideas for the future. Aspiring entrepreneurs also develop new solutions in the technology and business park.

The Startup Village offers ideal conditions for this, and with the Zebra Accelerator Program (ZebrAC), they now have even more support to get started. ZebrAC targets teams from NRW developing GreenTech innovations at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.

The accelerator program focuses on early-stage GreenTech startups and impact entrepreneurship, helping them reach the critical milestone of problem-solution fit.

www.zebrac.de

The three-month intensive program includes coaching, pitch training, and opportunities to connect with investors and entrepreneurs. The program culminates with "Demo Day," where participants present their business ideas to a panel of experts.

In the first round, Foxbeam impressed. The team, led by Thomas and Franziska Fink, aims to use focused X-rays to target and destroy cancer cells more precisely, sparing surrounding tissue.

This idea won them first place and the audience award, along with attractive prize money from NRW.BANK. The second round of the program is currently underway, aiming to regularly turn great ideas into entrepreneurial successes. Among the participants are two teams from Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Demo Day Winners: Drought Analytics and ClimEtSan

At Demo Day, Drought Analytics and ClimEtSan-OnTheGround impressed the expert jury, securing top placements. Drought Analytics took second place and a prize of 1,500 euros, sponsored by NRW.BANK.

Innovating Water Monitoring: Science for Society

ClimEtSan-OnTheGround secured third place and received 500 euros, also sponsored by NRW.BANK. Both teams, spin-offs from IBG-3, are working on innovative solutions to combat climate change.

Katharina Prost wants to transform Ethiopian Daily Life and Protect the Climate with Her Start-up ClimEtSan

Teams haben an der ersten Runde des neuen Gründungsprogramms des Start-up-Village teilgenommen.

Erster!

Further along in their startup journey is SenseUp. The team, led by Georg Schaumann, is developing technologies to revolutionize the production of food and beverages. The spin-off has now decided to move. SenseUp will be the first Jülich spin-off to become a tenant at Brainergy Park Jülich. The centerpiece of the park is set to be the Brainergy Hub, designed primarily as an innovation and startup center.

Bringing Research to Market: Spin-offs at Forschungszentrum Jülich

Bright, open office spaces, project and workshop areas, and a gastronomy and event space will provide an attractive environment for startups and companies, creating 300 new jobs.

»With the Brainergy Hub, we are setting a mark for sustainable and forward-looking development.«

Frank Rombey
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Brainergy Park Jülich GmbH

The Brainergy Hub will also feature unique architecture, with a round frame structure and numerous square wooden modules, surrounded by a lake and park. Thanks to millions in funding from state structural enhancement funds, the construction project is gaining momentum this year.

Completion is planned for 2026. Frank Rombey, deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Brainergy Park Jülich GmbH, emphasizes: “With the Brainergy Hub, we are setting a mark for sustainable and forward-looking development.”

www.brainergy-hub.de