The Transfer & Research Center Founders@IUG is IU's digital startup hub. The focus is on supporting and connecting students. Students are accompanied from the initial idea, through the first practical steps, all the way to a (possible) start-up launch – extracurricular, hands-on, and across campuses.
The offering includes networking events with like-minded people from IU, workshops, co-founding and pitch events, and one-to-one guidance for founders and aspiring founders. Collaborations with other universities and networks further enhance the programme. This creates an ecosystem in which relevant start-up know-how is acquired, valuable contacts are made, ideas are further developed, and entrepreneurial ventures are given hands-on support.
A selection of EXIST start-up projects we have supported demonstrates the diversity and quality of ideas from the IU network.
Everyday practice formats that support parents in the speech therapy development of their children
EXIST Business Start-up Grant (Gründungsstipendium) - funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union
Contact: Josefin Krone (CEO, Sprachspatz)
Duration: 1 September 2025 - 31 August 2026
Quantum computing and artificial intelligence for optimisation in small and medium-sized enterprises
EXIST Business Start-up Grant (Gründungsstipendium) - funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union
Contact: Dr. Hamzeh Alavirad, Maryam Bahrami Zanjani, Mahdi Khorrami
Duration: 1 November 2025 - 31 October 2026
A unique app in the DACH region, featuring AI-powered augmented reality and immersive storytelling
EXIST Business Start-up Grant (Gründungsstipendium) - funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union
Contact: Marvin Grosser, Julia Drejer, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Armin Grasnick
Duration: 1 February 2026 - 31 January 2027
Transparent and verifiable AI analyses for use in journalism
EXIST Business Start-up Grant (Gründungsstipendium) - funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union
Contact: Torsten Tiltack
Duration: 1 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
We don’t think in silos or disciplines, but in regions. The interdisciplinary expertise of those responsible ensures our actions have a broad impact. The CeRTIC is supported by, among others:
Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (distance learning)
Professor of Innovation & International Management (distance learning)
Professor of Sustainable Entrepreneurship
The core team is complemented by Katharina Planthaler (initial advisory, teaching and visibility) as well as other involved colleagues and professors from IU.
