Fraunhofer Venture

Fraunhofer Venture serves as the strategic bridge between scientific innovation and commercial success, guiding technology-driven ventures from conceptualization through to market entry and beyond. Established in 2001 by the prestigious Fraunhofer Society, this specialized division was created to harness the growing entrepreneurial potential within Fraunhofer's extensive network of research institutes. Their comprehensive support system transforms groundbreaking research into viable business models, creating sustainable economic value while ensuring scientific breakthroughs reach practical applications in the marketplace.

With an impressive track record spanning over two decades, Fraunhofer Venture has cultivated more than 1,000 spin-off projects and successfully launched in excess of 500 technology startups. Their investment portfolio demonstrates remarkable diversity across strategic sectors including energy and climate protection, healthcare innovation, information and communication technologies, microelectronics, and advanced materials development. This sectoral breadth reflects Fraunhofer's underlying research strengths while addressing critical market needs and technological frontiers where deep scientific expertise creates competitive advantages.

The organization employs a holistic approach to venture development, providing entrepreneurs with access to specialized resources throughout the entire startup lifecycle. Their support extends beyond mere financial backing to include technical validation, business model refinement, intellectual property strategy, market analysis, and connections to industrial partners. Fraunhofer Venture typically engages with early-stage technology ventures, often at pre-seed and seed phases when technical risk remains substantial but commercial potential is becoming evident. This early involvement allows them to shape development pathways that maximize both scientific integrity and market relevance.

As part of Germany's renowned Fraunhofer Society, the venture arm benefits from an unparalleled innovation ecosystem comprising 76 research institutes and over 30,000 staff members across Europe. This institutional backing provides portfolio companies with access to specialized laboratories, technical expertise, and industrial partnerships that would otherwise remain inaccessible to early-stage ventures. Fraunhofer Venture's unique positioning at the intersection of applied research and commercial application has established it as a pivotal force in Europe's deep tech landscape, particularly in transforming Germany's scientific excellence into market-leading companies addressing global challenges.