Prestigious 2026 UNIPRENEURS founders’ award: The laureate is Prof. Frank Fitzek of TU Dresden

Highest commendation for technology transfer at TUD Dresden University of Technology: Prof. Frank H. P. Fitzek, holder of the Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks, was awarded the prestigious UNIPRENEURS 2026 prize. The award honors Prof. Fitzek’s significant contributions to the transfer of innovations into the business sector. The festive ceremony took place in Berlin on September 22, 2026, with co-patron Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, presenting the award. UNIPRENEURS is the leading award for the promotion of entrepreneurship in higher education and research in Germany.

Prof. Ursula Staudinger, Rector of TUD: “With the UNIPRENEURS award, TUD once again underscores its role as a leading innovation and startup university in Germany, combining scientific excellence with entrepreneurial dynamism at the heart of Silicon Saxony. The award for Prof. Fitzek is a great source of motivation to further expand TUD’s transfer ecosystem.”

Cutting-Edge Research as a Driver for Successful Spin-offs

The award specifically recognizes the close integration of scientific excellence and targeted startup support that Prof. Fitzek is driving forward at TUD. As head of a research group comprising more than 140 scientists, his research covers a broad spectrum — from 5G/6G communication systems to quantum and molecular communication, novel computer architectures, information theory, and human-machine interaction.

© TUD

Key factors for the award were his consistent commitment to translating scientific achievements directly into market applications. As spokesperson for the CeTI (Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop) Cluster of Excellence and coordinator of the 6G-life Transfer Hub, he has created an ecosystem that helps both researchers and students to make the transition from research to practical application. His involvement in the Saxon-Bavarian research initiative gAIn also underscores his focus on forward-looking AI computer architectures.

Prof. Frank H. P. Fitzek: “For universities, startups have become an important currency. And we’ve been focusing on this for more than 25 years. The award means so much because it precisely reflects what we’ve been doing for the past 25 years.”

Role model and driving force for the next generation of founders

In addition to his scientific achievements, Prof. Fitzek has personally demonstrated how to successfully bridge the gap between academia and industry as a co-founder of several successful startups in the fields of communications, computer science, robotics, AI, and quantum technologies. Through this hands-on, practice-oriented engagement, he actively supports and encourages young talent in developing their own business ideas and bringing marketable innovations to life.

About UNIPRENEURS

implementing this joint initiative. The Startup-Verband, Bitkom, and AddedVal.io support UNIPRENEURS as partners. Every three years, UNIPRENEURS awards Germany’s highest honor for outstanding commitment to entrepreneurship at universities. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, have jointly assumed patronage of UNIPRENEURS. www.unipreneurs.de