The German government recognizes the ZOLLHOF Tech Incubator as a Startup Factory
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg congratulates the ZOLLHOF team and celebrates their joint success in the German “Startup Factories” competition from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Federal minister Katharina Reiche awarded the title to the most promising concepts. The ZOHO Factory has a concept that is convincing in every respect. One of the Startup Factories funded by the German government will now be based in Northern Bavaria.
A major success for Bavaria
Minister President Dr. Markus Söder: “Startups thrive here in Bavaria! Congratulations on being recognized as a Startup Factory and winning up to 10 million euros in funding from the German government. We are the “place to be” for modern companies. Franconia is becoming a high-tech hotspot for young entrepreneurs. That benefits the region and Bavaria as a whole. Innovation and brave ideas are the basis for our future prosperity. That is why we are investing a total of six billion euros in research and technology with our High-Tech Agenda Bavaria. We are supporting startups in particular with our high-risk venture capital fund and leverage of over one billion euros. Good ideas from Bavaria should also lead to good jobs in Bavaria. We are committed to the future. Bavaria is and will remain the number one region for startups.”
Bavaria’s science minister Markus Blume: The ZOHO Factory is making Northern Bavaria into a truly excellent location for startups. Whoever lands here with their innovative ideas can be sure of receiving extensive support on the way towards getting their product ready for the market: from a prototype laboratory to financial assistance. The region is already a true Eldorado for startups, and the Zollhof offers innovative entrepreneurs a startup ecosystem that is constantly evolving. With the startup assistance provided by the Free State of Bavaria through the Hightech Transfer Bavaria campaign, FAU has established one of the most promising startup hubs in Germany. That alone is impressive. With the additional funding from the Free State of Bavaria, it can now ignite the next stage in its expansion.” He continued that he is very proud of this development and congratulated FAU and the Zollhof team on their success.
FAU President Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger: “The German government’s funding for the ZOHO Factory is a strong signal for our innovation ecosystem – not only in Northern Bavaria, but far beyond as well. This major success will strengthen ZOLLHOF, established on the initiative and under the leadership of FAU, in its role as a startup center with close links to the University and an influence extending far beyond the local region.”
Collaboration in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region
Vice President Kathrin M. Möslein from FAU was closely involved in the application process. Startup culture is a topic that is particularly close to her heart. “It is an enormous success, not only for FAU and for all our partners, but also for the region as a whole,” she explains with a smile. “It allows us to transform the vast potential of scientific knowledge, technical developments and the wealth of ideas within our University to corporate reality – with a Factory that specifically encourages deep-tech startups.” She is particularly pleased that the initiative is led by an FAU alumnus, the ZOLLHOF director Benjamin Bauer. He has already laid the foundations for today’s success by encouraging the expansion of the ZOLLHOF Tech Incubator in recent years. “The team and the success of the ZOLLHOF have already made a name for themselves far beyond the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region,” says the FAU Vice President.
“The concept of the ZOHO Factory is backed equally by universities and universities of applied sciences in Northern Bavaria as well as by influential entrepreneurs and companies. Students, scientists and entrepreneurial talents are a driving force for innovation and added value,” says Christoph Heynen from FAU’s Startup Service.
FAU’s innovation ecosystem connects academia, business and society in the Metropolitan Region, an area whose reputation is based on its successes in innovation, ranging from new inventions to established global market leaders. “FAU is regularly recognized as a leading global innovator in the relevant rankings,” underlines Kathrin Möslein. And the fact that Franconia often comes to mind when thinking about innovation is largely due to the excellent collaboration between various team players in the region.”
Innovation and startups shape the future
In the coming years, a leading location for technology-driven startups is to become established in the innovation region Northern Bavaria, with a measurable impact for employment, competitiveness and sustainable added value. Benjamin Bauer, CEO of ZOLLHOF, is positive about the future: “With the ZOHO Factory we are creating the largest startup project that has ever been seen in Northern Bavaria. Within one year, we have successfully established a momentum and commitment in the region that will give us a huge boost for the coming years. I am proud of what we have achieved so far and I look forward to joining all Factory locations to make a contribution towards securing the future of Germany as an internationally recognized hotspot for startups.”
The decision of the German government once more underlines the region’s strength in innovation. The project is now moving on to the next phase, with work on establishing the ZOHO Factory due to start before the end of this year. The aim is to make Northern Bavaria an internationally visible startup hub – sustainable, technology-oriented and with strong regional connections.
Further information:
Christoph Heynen
FAU Startup Service
christoph.heynen@fau.de