Saxony's State Minister of Economics, Labor and Transport Martin Dulig has presented the founders of the new Dresden accelerator “ExciteLab” in Dresden with a funding confirmation of almost EUR 763,000 today (June 11, 2024). Last year, the Saxon cabinet adopted the “Accelerators Funding Guideline”, a unique offer to strengthen the start-up landscape in the Free State of Saxony. Around EUR 30 million will be available for this program until 2027. The six-month accelerator program will be launched for the first time in October 2024. Applications can be submitted from now until August 27, 2024.

Martin Dulig, Saxon State Minister for Economics, Labor and Transport: “The close cooperation between partners from the more technically-oriented Dresden and the business-oriented Leipzig is a stroke of luck for Saxony. This collaboration will create enormous synergies.”

Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Director of the  TUD|Excellence Center for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TUD|excite): "With the ExciteLab, a top-class accelerator will be launched in Dresden. TU Dresden and Leipzig's SpinLab are already among the leading institutions of their kind in Europe and, with the involvement of TUDAG, will strengthen their potential in the field of high-tech start-ups in a targeted manner in the future."

Udo Werner, Spokesperson of the Managing Board of TUDAG (TU Dresden stock company): "As a long-standing spin-off partner of TUD, we are looking forward to the intensified cooperation with TUD|excite. Our joint venture with the multi-award-winning SpinLab can and will develop into an excellent driver for technology transfer in Dresden.”

Eric Weber, Founder and Managing Director of SpinLab: "With the ExciteLab at the leading microelectronics location in Dresden, we are expanding our thematic coverage to new, promising areas. Our regular ranking as one of the leading startup supporters in Europe shows that the approach of specialized programs at suitable locations based on a proven principle has proven to be extremely successful.”

SpinLab Managing Director Marcus Haberstroh: “With ExciteLab, we are creating another important component in the innovation ecosystem of our Free State, in which Saxon methodological, procedural and participatory expertise will be combined at an unprecedented level in the high-tech sector.”

Focus on key technologies

The ExciteLab focuses on key technologies such as the Internet of Things, semiconductors, robotics, sensor technology and quantum technology. Start-up teams will receive individual support as well as access to global companies and investors. ExciteLab builds on the proven expertise of Leipzig's SpinLab, which was recently distinguished as one of Europe's leading start-up centers by the Financial Times. The aim is to establish Dresden as a leading European metropolis for high-tech start-ups and to strengthen TUD's IP transfer and spin-off activities.

The combination of innovative research and fast-growing industry attracts international companies and start-ups from various sectors to settle in Dresden. This is demonstrated by the investments of Infineon, the new construction of the technology group Jenoptik and the planned major project for the greenfield development of TSMC.

Background:

TUD Dresden University of Technology and TUD|excite
TUD is one of the largest Universities of Technology in Germany and is among the leading and most dynamic universities in the country. With 17 Faculties across five Schools, it offers a wide range of 119 degree programs and covers a broad spectrum of research. Its focuses on Life Sciences, Quantum Materials, Microelectronics, Tactile Internet, Materials Science, Data-Intensive and Digital Sciences, Circular Economy and Societal Change are considered exemplary across Europe. With its new Center of Excellence for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship TUD|excite, TUD is bundling and expanding its activities in these important future fields, for example in the form of the new ExciteLab. tu-dresden.de/research-transfer/transfer

SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator
SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator is one of the leading start-up hubs in Europe according to the current ranking “Europe's Leading Start-Up Hubs 2024” by the Financial Times and Statista. The SpinLab Group comprises the RootCamp innovation center in Hanover and the consulting firm BITROAD. Over 160 start-ups have worked on their business ideas as part of the accelerator programs, with investments of more than EUR 300 million and a survival rate of 86% The SpinLab Group also acts as an expert in the field of venture clienting and supports companies in using various solutions from the startup world to successfully implement digitalization and innovation processes. www.spinlab.co

TUDAG (TUD stock company)
TUDAG initiates, supports and accelerates the transfer of knowledge and technology to industry and society. With its more than 25 subsidiaries and associated companies, it plays an important bridging role on the path from scientific knowledge to practical application. It brings together the capabilities of the university research landscape with the needs of the economy, organizes start-ups at high speed and offers a wide range of training and further education programs for students and professionals.  www. tudag.de

Press inquiries:
TU Dresden
Matthias Fejes
Tel.: +49 351 463-32882

SpinLab
Linh Pham
Tel.: +49 341 35578570