Research

How Much Spin-Off Potential Is There in Research?

The research conducted at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences is brimming with promising ideas and innovations. After all, dedicating oneself passionately to a topic, developing new solutions to problems, and presenting one’s own ideas with enthusiasm—these are skills shared by researchers and entrepreneurs alike.

Funkenwerk offers researchers at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences who are interested in starting a business a wide range of advisory and support services.

Shaping the Future Together

The THA_funkenwerk Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation empowers the university’s researchers to develop entrepreneurial skills and put the “try, learn, and change” principle into practice.

At the Funkenwerk Innovation Academy & Startup Incubator for Researchers, we teach the skills, tools, and mindsets needed to turn visions into reality, and we provide concrete support—whether you’re working part-time, serving as an innovator in a large corporation, working as a researcher in an academic setting, serving in a leadership role, or running your own business.

  • We train all researchers at the THA in the skills of entrepreneurial action and thinking
  • We help explore innovative products and business areas
  • We facilitate and support greater knowledge transfer from THA to society

1. Schedule a consultation

THA_funkenwerk will assign you an experienced startup consultant. Together, we’ll evaluate ideas, develop well-thought-out business plans to convince investors of your spin-off’s potential, assist you in securing funding, and guide you through the entire spin-off process. The first step in a spin-off project often becomes clear during a personal consultation.

2. Evaluate your idea

We’ll discuss your spin-off ideas in a confidential meeting or work together to develop ideas that align with your vision. This will give you an overview of the opportunities and challenges that a spin-off entails.

 

Contact

Philipp Linsmeier

THA_funkenwerk – Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Department of Technology and Research
 

Phone: 

+49 821 5586-4025

philipp.linsmeier@tha.de

3. Create a Business Plan

A successful spin-off must be carefully prepared: business plan, target market, financing, validation, legal issues. The THA_funkenwerk team guides those interested in starting a business step by step through the entire process so that you can continue to focus on your core research tasks.

4. Secure Funding

Research spin-offs often require third-party funding sources and investors. But not every funding program is suitable for every project. Together, we’ll search for potential funding opportunities and assist you with the application process. As researchers, you’ll save time as we work together to refine your applications and pitches. Even brief feedback can make a big difference.

5. Clarifying Legal Issues

To eliminate potential pitfalls early on, we work together to determine whether the THA’s intellectual property, software, or know-how is required for a spin-off. This allows us to ensure that you have the necessary resources to successfully implement your ideas. We also provide support on topics such as legal structures, potential participation in a spin-off (for civil servants), and applying for intellectual property rights (patents, utility models, and trademarks).

6. Learn, Network, Start a Business

A successful startup requires knowledge, contacts, and the right inspiration. We offer our researchers training programs and access to the strong “Augsburg Gründet” network. To make the transition to a new career path easier, we connect them with relevant events, conferences, workshops, and programs, as well as provide the knowledge needed to successfully launch a spin-off.

Funding Opportunities

An EXIST research transfer requires appropriate financial support, especially for researchers. In addition to many other national and regional funding opportunities, we would like to highlight three programs in particular:

Interested?
Contact us and find more information about Funkenwerk here.

Success Stories

Numerous alumni of the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences have already founded successful AI startups. Their unique ideas, stories, and challenges serve as inspiration and role models for those looking to launch their own businesses.