Innovation and Start-Up Center for Biotechnology (IZB)

Innovation and Start-Up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) stands as a premier European biotechnology hub with dual locations in Planegg-Martinsried and Freising-Weihenstephan near Munich. Established in 1995 through Fördergesellschaft IZB mbH, this thriving ecosystem now encompasses over 40 biotech ventures employing more than 700 professionals across its expansive 26,000 m² campus. The main Planegg-Martinsried site, comprising 23,000 m², primarily houses startups specializing in medical biotechnology research and development. Meanwhile, the Freising location has been strategically designed to provide optimal conditions for emerging life sciences enterprises, creating a comprehensive innovation corridor in Bavaria's biotechnology landscape.

The center delivers exceptional infrastructure tailored specifically for early-stage life science companies to transform scientific breakthroughs into viable commercial products. A cornerstone of IZB's offering includes access to specialized S1 laboratories and highly adaptable office spaces that evolve alongside growing companies. Beyond essential research facilities, the Martinsried location provides entrepreneurs with modern conference facilities, professional networking spaces, a design hotel, two distinctive dining establishments ("The Bowl" and "Seven and More"), and the Bio Kids kindergarten—creating a holistic environment where scientific innovation and professional development can flourish simultaneously.

A critical advantage for IZB-based startups lies in their strategic proximity to world-class research institutions. The Weihenstephan location benefits from immediate access to the Technical University of Munich's School of Life Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, facilitating continuous knowledge exchange and collaboration opportunities. Similarly, the Martinsried/Großhadern campus is surrounded by prestigious research entities including two Max Planck Institutes, various Ludwig Maximilian University faculties, and the University Hospital of Munich-Großhadern. This interconnected ecosystem creates unparalleled opportunities for translational research, clinical partnerships, and scientific collaboration that accelerate commercialization pathways.

IZB actively cultivates its extensive network through strategic event programming designed to foster meaningful connections within the biotechnology sector. Signature gatherings such as the IZBrunch and the Munich Life Science Pitch Day hosted at the G2B Faculty Club have established the center as a vital industry nexus where entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and industry leaders regularly converge. These carefully orchestrated networking opportunities have positioned IZB as more than just physical infrastructure—it functions as a dynamic community catalyst that bridges academic research with commercial biotechnology development, creating a vibrant innovation pipeline that strengthens Munich's position as a leading European life sciences cluster.