The 2013 Gründungsradar ranking published today by the Stifterverband for promoting science and education confirms the exemplary support of startups by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Of the 40 big German universities, KIT is in third place, six places better than in the past year. The ranking is based on data of the year 2013. Among others, 25 companies were established at KIT in that year.
The ranking of the Stifterverband is based on 33 indicators in the four areas of startup policy establishment, sensitization, support, and startup activities. The KIT scored 10.9 of a maximum of 12 points. All universities that are among the best 25% of their group are certified to be of “model character.” This also holds for the KIT.
“I am happy that the KIT is among the three best big universities in Germany in the Gründungsradar ranking. Support of young entrepreneurs is an important element of the innovation culture at KIT. This positive result shows that the highly committed work of our “Founders Forge” project yields fruit,” KIT President Professor Holger Hanselka says. In the past year, KIT was among the winners of the Germany-wide competition “EXIST – Gründungskultur” and, as a result, was given the opportunity to extend its entrepreneurial activities.
“Startups have a long tradition in Karlsruhe. We wish to offer new formats to provide better support and to build up more awareness during our daily routine work at the KIT,” Dr. Jens Fahrenberg, Head of the Innovation Management Service Unit of KIT and one of the project coordinators of the Founders Forge, emphasizes. In 2014, the new website http://www.kit-gruenderschmiede.de and the “KIT-Gründerguide” (KIT founders guide) were issued among others. The KIT strategy pursued in this area was also confirmed by three successfully passed competitions for the acquisition of funding for startups with KIT participation. Support is offered for both startups of students of KIT and spinoffs established by scientists working in the high-tech area. “We have developed new formats for entrepreneurship training and offer an accelerator program to support already established enterprises. In addition, we are active in community management to enhance networking and exchange among experienced and young founders, investors, and service providers”, Professor Orestis Terzidis, the other coordinator of the Founders Forge, explains.
Click here to download the “KIT-Gründerguide“: http://kit-gs.de/gruenderguide
Gründungsradar 2013
For the second time, the Stifterverband, on the behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, analyzed how German universities support the establishment of enterprises and which universities are best in doing so. The ranking reflects support of startups and spinoffs by German universities, presents good examples, and develops recommendations to politics on this basis. In total, 254 universities took part in the Gründungsradar 2013 competition. In the group of big universities, the KIT ranks in third place behind the TU München and the Hochschule München.
In close partnership with society, KIT develops solutions for urgent challenges – from climate change, energy transition and sustainable use of natural resources to artificial intelligence, sovereignty and an aging population. As The University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT unites scientific excellence from insight to application-driven research under one roof – and is thus in a unique position to drive this transformation. As a University of Excellence, KIT offers its more than 10,000 employees and 22,800 students outstanding opportunities to shape a sustainable and resilient future. KIT – Science for Impact.