Technische Universität Berlin

Investment thesis

TU Berlin exists to generate and transfer deep-tech knowledge from engineering, natural sciences, and digital technologies into the Berlin economy and beyond. It operates as a public research university and a founding hub for spin-offs, leveraging its status as a member of TU9 and the Berlin University Alliance to provide a dense ecosystem of labs, talent, and follow-on funding.

• Strategic Agenda: The university prioritises climate protection, mobility, and digital transformation, with a specific mandate to support member initiatives in company founding and technology transfer [1].
• Ecosystem Role: As a founding hub, it provides structured support through its Centre for Entrepreneurship, offering transfer schools and serious transfer games to bridge the gap between academic research and commercialisation [1].
• Funding Architecture: TU Berlin acts as a gateway to major public funding bodies, notably ranking first in Germany for DAAD project and programme funds, demonstrating its ability to secure and manage large-scale international research grants [1].
• Infrastructure Access: The university invests heavily in central research facilities, such as the recent 490,000 Euro modernisation of a plasma etching system in its Nanophotonics Centre, funded by the DFG, providing founders with access to cutting-edge instrumentation [1].

Credibility: The strategic focus on founding support and technology transfer is explicitly stated in the university's own 'Gründen' (Founding) and 'Transfer' portals, and its financial capacity is evidenced by its 659.3 million EUR budget and top-tier DAAD rankings [1][2].

Value add

TU Berlin offers founders a dense ecosystem of talent, infrastructure, and credibility.

• Talent Pipeline: With 35,570 students and 3,120 academic staff, the university provides a continuous stream of skilled engineers, scientists, and researchers for founding teams [2].
• Infrastructure Access: Founders gain access to specialised facilities like the Nanophotonics Centre, reducing the capital expenditure required for prototyping and R&D [1].
• Credibility: Affiliation with TU Berlin, a member of TU9 and the Berlin University Alliance, signals high scientific quality to investors and partners [3].
• Network: The university's extensive international and national networks, including its top DAAD ranking, open doors to collaborative projects and funding [1].

Fit verdict: TU Berlin is an ideal partner for deep-tech founders in engineering, natural sciences, and digital technologies who need access to specialised infrastructure and talent.

Founder diligence script:

• What specific infrastructure or lab access is available for my prototype?
• How can I engage with the Centre for Entrepreneurship for founding support?
• What are the current DAAD or DFG calls that align with my research?
• How does the Berlin University Alliance enhance my funding opportunities?
• What is the process for IP ownership and commercialisation of university research?

Portfolio focus

TU Berlin's funded work clusters around key societal and technological challenges.

• Climate Protection: The university's motto and research focus include climate protection, with projects like the expert service on water scarcity and drought [1].
• Urban Sustainability: The PolyUrbanWaters network addresses water problems in growing Southeast Asian cities, highlighting a focus on urban infrastructure [1].
• Nanotechnology: The Centre for Nanophotonics, with its DFG-funded plasma etching equipment, represents a strong focus on advanced materials and photonics [1].
• International Development: The university's top DAAD ranking reflects a significant portfolio of international development and education projects [1].
• Digital Technologies: The university's focus areas include digital technologies, with research likely spanning AI, data science, and digital infrastructure [1].