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Start-up Stories

Plasma technologies for chemical recycling, bioplastics for the construction of camper vans, or AI technologies for smart industrial robots: With their ideas, Stuttgart-based startups are among the leading drivers of innovation in the region and around the world. In our “Start-up Stories” series, we highlight how entrepreneurs from the University of Stuttgart are helping to solve societal challenges.

In our “Start-up Stories” series, we showcase successful start-ups and spin-offs founded by researchers, students, and alumni at the University of Stuttgart. We support founders on their entrepreneurial journey, from the initial idea to a market-ready product. We show what drives them and how their innovations are transforming industries and markets.

Our entrepreneurs are driving meaningful innovation and creating value in sectors that drive long-term social impact. We do everything we can to help them bring their ideas to life.
Prof. Alexander Brem, Vice Rector for Transfer and International Affairs

Start-ups & spin-offs from the University of Stuttgart

June 2026

The founders Moritz Walker (left) and Marc Fischer (right).

IT toolkit for Industry 4.0

There is a world of difference between the IT applications available to businesses today and …

6/23/26

The team of founders, from left to right: Maurice Wanitzek, Claudia Bett, Dr. Maximilian Scheu, and Jakob Finkbeiner.

Precision at the quantum level

A team of entrepreneurs aims to bring a novel photodetector to market.

6/2/26

May 2026

Ralf Gulde (left) and Marc Tuscher (right) with a humanoid robot (in the middle).

Start-up sereact is making robots smarter and has raised 110 million dollars in funding

University of Stuttgart alumni aim to conquer the U.S. market

5/13/26

March 2026

Winning photo of the SPECTRA Challenge—the winning teams are waving on stage.

Stuttgart-based founders develop technology for secure drone defense

ESPARGOS, a start-up specializing in drone technologies, presented its radio-based real-time drone …

3/2/26

October 2025

Start-up Collectu develops AI-driven data automation

Programming without programming skills: the open no-code data engine developed by the start-up …

10/29/25

Start-up Cyclize wins Stuttgart Innovation Prize

CYCLIZE, a start-up founded by four alumni of the University of Stuttgart, aims to make carbon …

10/15/25

May 2025

How alumni chemically recycle waste

It was a decision made overnight, but the best one he could have made. Jan Stein wants to establish …

5/20/25

April 2025

Sustainable lightweight construction from Stuttgart

The start-up BEHtec uses an innovative process to produce lightweight materials from textile fibers …

4/29/25

February 2025

Alumni thrive with AI-powered formula for success

Ralf Gulde and Marc Tuscher are living their dream. The two alumni of the University of Stuttgart …

2/19/25

For those interested in starting a business: consulting & support for business start-ups

The University of Stuttgart fosters entrepreneurial talent and offers its researchers and students a wide range of support and advisory services. From developing a business idea to securing funding for startup projects, the TRACES Transfer Center provides advice, coaching, and support. The Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research (ENI) teaches key entrepreneurial skills through interactive courses and offers a space for students to try out new ideas.

02:59

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We have already produced a successful start-up.

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It was a bit of a crazy idea, that we could also create something of our own.

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My name is Andreas Wahl. I work at the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science and am responsible for our course offerings.

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Hi, I am Katrin from hydrop. I have a background in renewable energy. I studied here at the University of Stuttgart and then started my own business with my team straight after graduating.

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We joined AWAKE because we wanted to give it a try and see if it was right for us.

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AWAKE is essentially a small accelerator program. We gently introduce students to the world of entrepreneurship. In this course, they develop practical solutions to problems they identify, translating them into potential business or startup ideas.

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We developed the idea for hydrop shortly before the program started. It was very important to us that it had to be something related to sustainability and definitely something technical. So we decided to give it a try within the program.

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All phases in this event are work-driven.

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AWAKE is a course that actually consists of many small workshops in an interdisciplinary setting. And so it takes place in English, in order to reflect its international character and, as far as possible, to create an open space for anyone who feels like getting involved.

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Katrin Kreidel began her journey with AWAKE, where she met her team, refined her idea, and ultimately founded her own company.

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We received so much positive feedback that we decided to continue with it, and then we just did it. We've had the product on the market since March and are now working hard in sales to sell more.

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And yes, hopefully one day we’ll be able to support ourselves with it.

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It’s not so much about the fact that we eventually founded a start-up, but that I came to see starting a business as a real possibility for my future self. We also teach a few methods and skills to help you approach this, if you’re interested.

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What I will definitely take away from this is that there are many skills you can still discover within yourself. And that it's also much easier to step out of your comfort zone when you're doing something that's close to your heart. And I can definitely say that there are many things I’m better at today than I ever thought I could be.

00:02:41:20 - 00:02:51:03

Anyone who is interested can participate - starting a business is not a requirement. It's just about thinking out of the box and

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trying things out.

Knowledge and technology transfer at the University of Stuttgart