The InnovationScouts at TU Darmstadt support researchers in identifying, assessing, and further developing the innovation potential of their scientific work at an early stage, with a focus on practical application. They work closely with research activities, confidentially, and in addition to existing services, with the aim of bringing excellent research into practice. As an interdisciplinary team, they provide guidance on all aspects of innovation and technology transfer, funding opportunities as well as relevant networks. They also offer formats such as one-on-one consultations, workshops, and lab meetups to provide targeted support for individual projects.Some of these services are offered in collaboration with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center HIGHEST.

Learn more about InnovationScouting at TU Darmstadt

HIGHEST, the Innovation and Start-up Centre of TU Darmstadt, offers TU Idea Talks, a monthly open online consultation format. It is aimed at students and researchers with an innovation or start-up idea and provides a low-threshold setting to address questions at an early stage of the process.

The focus is on orientation and an initial assessment of key topics such as developing an idea outline, shaping a business model, and exploring public funding programs for start-ups—with the goal of outlining first steps from idea to start-up.

Frequency: monthly

Upcoming TU Idea Talks sessions

The initial advice at HIGHEST, TU Darmstadt’s Innovation and Start-up Centre, is the first step for students and researchers with an innovation or start-up idea. It offers support with developing a business plan, identifying suitable funding programs, protecting intellectual property (including patents), and building networks—helping turn an idea into a start-up.

Book a slot for an initial advice here

The TU Ideas Competition offers researchers, students, alumni, and all members of TU Darmstadt the opportunity to present and further develop innovative product and business ideas as well as research results with commercialization potential.

Submitted projects are evaluated by an expert jury composed of representatives from start-ups, industry, academia, and politics, with a focus on their level of innovation and market potential. In a multi-stage selection process, including pitch rounds, finalist teams are chosen to present on stage at INNODAY, where the winning teams are awarded.

Next date: The competition is launched annually in spring. Dates will be published on the HIGHEST website.

More information on the TU Idea Competition

HIGHEST, the Innovation and Start-up Centre of TU Darmstadt, provides support in the area of intellectual property (IP) and patenting by raising awareness among researchers and prospective founders about the value and protection of their research results at an early stage.

The service includes advice on selecting appropriate forms of IP protection (e.g., patents), support with invention disclosures and patent applications, as well as informational and financial assistance—for example, to help cover related costs. The aim is to secure intellectual property rights and safeguard the legal claims of inventors before any commercial exploitation or start-up formation takes place.

Learn more about patents and IP on the HIGHEST website

In 2022, TU Darmstadt and its Innovation and Start-up Centre HIGHEST introduced the “IP for Shares” model. It allows spin-offs to use university intellectual property in exchange for virtual equity shares, rather than paying licensing fees. This facilitates access to research results and provides targeted support for start-ups in early stages. Other commercialization models are also available.

Learn more about IP for Shares(Website only available in German)

foundersXchange is a recurring networking and exchange event for founders and aspiring entrepreneurs, jointly organized by the Darmstadt ecosystem (cesah, HIGHEST, hessian.ai, ATHENE Digital Hub Cybersecurity, HUB31, YUBIZZ). In a relaxed setting, the format offers impulses, expert talks, and best-practice insights, along with opportunities for peer exchange and networking. Open mic sessions also allow participants to share their challenges, ideas, and questions directly with the community.

Frequency: every two months, on the first Wednesday of the month

Upcoming foundersXchange dates

INNODAY, a startup and innovation fair at TU Darmstadt, is an inspiration and networking format for students, researchers, companies, and aspiring entrepreneurs. It is initiated and organized by HIGHEST, the university’s innovation and start-up centre. Visitors can expect keynotes, hands-on workshops, and interactive sessions on current future topics, innovation approaches, and technologies, as well as opportunities for direct exchange with experts from academia and industry to develop new ideas and strengthen networks.

The next INNODAY26 will take place on October 29, 2026, at darmstadtium.

Learn more about INNODAY

HIGHEST offers events throughout the year that provide practical insights into innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer, targeting both founders and those interested in starting a venture.

In workshops, experts from academia, startups, and industry share their experiences on topics such as startup processes, IP, funding, and entrepreneurial practice, and invite participants to engage in open exchange and networking.

Go to the HIGHEST event calendar

The lecture series by HIGHEST and the Entrepreneurship institute is aimed at all students, researchers, and those interested in starting a venture at TU Darmstadt—regardless of their field of study—and provides practical insights into innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. Through lectures and discussions, experts from academia, start-ups, and industry share their experiences on topics such as start-up processes, IP, funding, and entrepreneurial practice. The goal is to foster entrepreneurial thinking and support the transfer of research into application and spin-offs. The lecture series takes place in the winter semester only.

View the lecture series program 25/26

The Entrepreneurship institute, led by Prof. Dr. Carolin Bock, focuses in both research and teaching on venture creation and start-up financing. Key areas include academic spin-offs, sustainable entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship in times of crisis, and the decision-making behavior of investors. In teaching, the group offers Bachelor’s and Master’s courses on entrepreneurship, strategy, finance, and company valuation.

Visit the institute’s homepage(Website only available in German)

As a central point of contact for researchers and students, HIGHEST bundles and coordinates start-up-related activities at TU Darmstadt. Its services range from awareness-raising, qualification, and consulting to support with funding and access to resources such as workspace.

Especially relevant for: students and researchers at TU Darmstadt who are interested in starting a venture, developing start-up ideas, or bringing innovations to market.

Visit the HIGHEST website

For consultation requests: beratung@highest.tu-…

The HIGHEST Company Builder is a venture unit of TU Darmstadt that systematically transforms research-based business ideas into scalable start-ups. In close collaboration with founding teams, it develops business models and ventures and, where appropriate, supports them through to company formation.

Especially relevant for: deep-tech and high-tech innovations, particularly science-based future technologies with high scaling potential.

Learn more about the Company Builder (HIGHEST) (Website only available in German)

FUTURY is a joint startup factory of the RMU universities—TU Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz—as well as the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

The goal of FUTURY is to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit at universities, support students and researchers on their path to becoming entrepreneurs, and transform their innovative business models into market-ready companies. It focuses on guiding technology- and knowledge-based startups from idea to scale, providing access to capital, industry, and expertise. Within this framework, HIGHEST specifically strengthens the startup culture at TU Darmstadt.

Learn more about FUTURY

The RMU Startup Academy is a joint initiative of the Rhine-Main Universities—Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and TU Darmstadt—and their entrepreneurship centers to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

It offers a digital platform with practice-oriented courses covering the entire journey from idea development to start-up formation, combined with on-site mentoring in a blended learning approach. The goal is to support founding teams efficiently and flexibly, leverage synergies between the centers, and increase the spin-off potential in the Rhine-Main region.

Courses are accessible via consultation with the RMU Startup Academy.

Visit the RMU Startup Academy website (Website only available in German)

There are various ways to actively support you in organizing and running an event within the xchange framework. As a first step, please contact the xchange Office with your idea. We will then connect you with the relevant units, for example the event marketing team at the Science Communication Centre.

You can also find useful information in the TU Darmstadt Event Marketing Hub to support the planning and implementation of your event, including practical templates and answers to frequently asked questions.

Go to the Eventmarketing Hub

TU Darmstadt provides financial support for events organized by its units (e.g., departments, chairs, and central institutions) in the form of a subsidy.

Learn more (Website only available in German)

With xchange Inspiration, the xchange Office provides a collection of xchange formats implemented at TU Darmstadt. It enables researchers to explore a wide variety of formats that have taken place—or are planned—and to draw inspiration for their own activities.

Explore formats (Website only available in German)

Contributions from companies, as well as foundations and private donors, are becoming increasingly important for project funding at TU Darmstadt. At the same time, companies have a strong interest in partnering with TU Darmstadt for their university marketing activities. To ensure successful collaboration, it is important to understand the legal framework and align mutual expectations.

Here you can find further information and the Code of Conduct (CoC) on handling donations, sponsorship, and related matters.(Website only available in German)

The short-term rental team for rooms and spaces is your point of contact for booking indoor and outdoor venues for events outside regular teaching activities at TU Darmstadt. A wide range of attractive spaces is available for rent, including lecture halls, seminar rooms, foyers, and outdoor areas in various sizes and configurations.

More information on venues and rentals (Website only available in German)