TechnologieAllianz, the German association of patent marketing agencies for research institutions, is a business partner for industry and a sales partner for universities and R&D institutes. Members of TechnologieAllianz represent more than two hundred research institutions with over 100,000 scientists. This enables them to provide access to the spectrum of inventions from German universities and research institutes.
The TechnologieAllianz offers a variety of services for providing businesses with inventions, securing industrial property rights, and efficiently marketing R&D results. The Invention Store is a free additional service that harmonizes demand and supply for technology transfer. Using this new e-mail service, companies are immediately informed of newly patented technology solutions with proven business potential developed by German universities and research institutes.

TechnologieAllianz e. V.

The ADT is the Federal German association of innovation, technology and business incubation centres as well as science and technology parks.
The ADT supports its member centres in fulfilling their task of initiating and overseeing innovative technology-oriented start-ups. By pursuing this approach, the ADT fosters the growth of small and medium-sized enterprise economy as well as innovation-oriented structural change in all regions of Germany.
The goal of the ADT is to promote technology transfer and innovation as well as business start-ups and enterprise development. It also seeks to further develop the importance and competence of the Innovation Centres in order to support innovative entrepreneurs and to present them appropriately in the public domain. The ADT represents the interests of the Innovation Centres and start-up companies thus also, in public areas such as politics, industry, science and the media. As an association, ADT is actively involved in creating favourable framework conditions for innovative start-ups in Germany.

ADT - German Association of Innovation, Technology and Business Incubation Centres

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities to the German market. Utilizing the combination of wide-ranging global expertise and an internationally competitive consulting and service profile for foreign investors, Germany Trade & Invest promotes Germany as a location for business and innovation. Supported by a network of 60 experts abroad and benefitting from close cooperation with the German Chambers of Commerce Worldwide Network (AHKs), the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany supports international trade with comprehensive, consistent and industry-specific market information. All investment services are available at no charge and treated confidentially.

Germany Trade and Invest – Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH

Max Planck Innovation connects science and business by transferring research results from the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft into products that contribute to economic and social progress. The interdisciplinary team advises and supports scientists in evaluating their inventions, filing patents and founding companies. Max Planck Innovation offers industry unique access to the proprietary innovations of 12,000 scientists conducting research in 80 institutes. Max Planck Innovation’s portfolio includes innovative technologies from the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft’s chemistry, physics and technology sections as well as the biology and medicine sections. Every year the organization evaluates approximately 150 inventions, of which about half lead to the filing of a patent application. Since 1970, when Max Planck Innovation was founded, it has been responsible for over 90 spin-offs and about 1,900 license agreements with future-oriented companies, making Max Planck Innovation one of the most successful technology transfer organizations.

Max-Planck-Innovation GmbH

The German Productivity and Innovation Centre (RKW) is a nationwide non-profit organization. Since 1921, it has been supporting and promoting the productivity and innovative ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany. It is a networking system that operates on different levels with a nationwide Competence Centre and 15 regional organizations. The RKW Competence Centre engages in research, development and knowledge transfer, working together with the economy, science and politics. One area of activity is innovation management, which enhances the ability of SMEs to compete internationally with innovative products, processes and services. Free solutions, such as guidelines, RKW magazines, online checks and tools, are designed to help SMEs quickly solve current and future problems. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the RKW Competence Centre assists in organizing innovation competitions and support programs.

RKW Rationalisierungs- und Innovationszentrum der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.

Promoting Baden-Württemberg as a center of business, higher education, and research, Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i) provides economic development services and supports international cooperation for the German state of Baden-Württemberg. bw-i actively serves the interests of Baden-Württemberg's business and research communities worldwide and operates as a "first point of contact" for domestic and foreign companies, research facilities, universities, regions, and municipalities. bw-i helps companies establish operations and cooperative relationships and assists with knowledge transfer. bw-i’s activities include initiating international cooperation through programs aimed at penetrating key markets across the globe. Located in the southwest of Germany, Baden-Württemberg is one of the most attractive business locations worldwide. It enjoys close international ties to a large number of companies and organizations in many industries.

Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i)

Bayern Innovativ GmbH is one of the major hubs for innovation and co-operation in Europe. The Nuremberg-based organization was founded in 1995 by the Bavarian State Government in co-operation with industry and science with the purpose of promoting innovation and knowledge transfer. New developments are triggered by intensifying the interdisciplinary co-operation between companies and by transferring the latest research findings from scientific research institutes. Bayern Innovativ has set up internationally-oriented networks in ten technology fields and ten branches by organizing numerous topic-specific conferences, co-operation forums and joint booths at high-tech trade shows supported by a professional multimedia exchange of information and knowledge. In five of these sectors, Bayern Innovativ GmbH also manages the associated clusters of the Cluster Offensive started in 2006: Automotive, Energy Technology, Logistics, Medical Technology and New Materials. The cluster’s objective is to further expand regional networks to generate more added value in Bavaria. The networks of Bayern Innovativ GmbH currently comprise 55,000 companies and 500 institutes in 50 countries.

Bayern Innovativ GmbH

The Innovations-Zentrum Berlin Management GmbH (IZBM) is a managing company of innovation and business incubation centers in Berlin. IZBM provides support for start-up entrepreneurs especially from universities, colleges, research institutions and existing companies; new developing companies with innovative projects, established companies with innovative time-limited projects as well as national and international companies with projects in the field of international economic cooperation. Founded in 1986 as a subsidiary company of the Berlin Business Development Corporation, IZBM’s primary goal is to develop and manage technology-, innovation- and business incubation centers. In the centers, IZBM offers a wide spectrum of assistance and support services in the fields of: business planning, all aspects of managing a company, official permits and official registration, especially for international companies, integration of the companies into the efficient information and communication network of the IZBM, mediation of collaborative projects through the extensive contact network of the IZBM, marketing, technological development, and finance.

Innovations-Zentrum Berlin Management GmbH

The Brandenburg Economic Development Board (ZAB) is a one-stop agency for a variety of business support services. With a high density of universities, colleges and R&D organizations in combination with successful economic programs, Brandenburg offers excellent innovation potential. Nowhere else in Germany is the concentration of R&D institutes as high as in Berlin-Brandenburg. With some 50,000 scientists working in seven universities, 21 institutes of technology and 250 private R&D institutes, the German Capital Region offers optimal cooperation opportunities. ZAB is the main player in regional innovation e.g. evaluation of regional R&D funds, cluster initiatives etc. The ZAB provides a large number of services for economic enhancement of the region. In addition to consultancy and promotion for innovative and technology-oriented entrepreneurs, investors and founders of businesses, the agency accompanies medium-sized enterprises from idea to business, fosters technology transfer, participates in specific national and international fairs, informs about subsidies and cares for the commercialization of patents. ZAB closely cooperates with the Ministry for Economy and European Affairs of the State of Brandenburg.

Brandenburg Economic Development Board

The state of Bremen provides a perfect environment for innovators in business and research. With the innovation program for research and development, the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen aims to safeguard and to improve the innovative capacity and competitiveness of local companies. The primary focus is on creating incentives for innovation by reducing the financial risk threshold for developing new products, processes and services, for preparing feasibility studies, or for broadening one’s technological expertise and fields of development activity. Support can be granted to single companies, to inter-company partnerships (R&D projects) or to joint project networks between companies and Bremen research institutes (R&D network).

Innovation Support Bremen

Hamburg’s position as one of the most dynamic economic regions in Europe is rooted in a mix of economic potential and a high standard of living. Hamburg provides an inspiring and conducive environment for innovation. The HWF Hamburg Business Development Corporation is a private-enterprise consultancy company that specifically supports growing companies in their plans to expand, restructure or invest in Hamburg. HWF is also a driving force in the development of future-oriented industries: logistics, aviation, MITT (Media, IT & Telecommunication) and renewable energy. HWF is the central point of contact, offering consultancy and services for all industries, and in particular, for small and medium-sized businesses. HWF’s consultancy service is provided in strict confidentiality and free of charge. The range of services offered is extensive, particularly in the real estate sector. International companies can look forward to working with a team of seasoned project managers with extensive practical experience – people who speak the language of business.

HWF Hamburg Business Development Corporation

The Technology Division of Hessen Agentur GmbH (HA), an agency promoting Hessen's strategic advantages worldwide, serves as the state's Center of Excellence to support cluster and network building processes between industry and science. Focusing on technologically advanced sectors, the establishment of close cooperative ties between companies, universities and supporting institutions along the value creation chain, it strengthens the competitiveness of companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It increases Hessen's positive image and contributes to Hessen continuing to be a prime location for technology and innovation. Hessen promotes the advancement of its strong networks and remains internationally competitive. Also initiated by HA, is the TechnologyTransferNetwork Hessen (TTN Hessen), a collaborative network of all Hessian universities and polytechnics, leading industry associations and local chambers of commerce. It promotes industry-science cooperation and facilitates access to application-oriented public research for SME's by providing information on partners for R&D in all relevant technological fields, thus strengthening their capability to innovate.

HA Hessen Agentur GmbH

The ATI Westmecklenburg GmbH (Agency for Technology Transfer and Furtherance of Innovations) is a regional development agency in West Mecklenburg in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The company performs the search for new technological products, procedures and services, concepts and their realization as well as technology transfer between scientific institutes and entrepreneurs. The aim is to professionalize and promote technology transfer between the R&D at universities and businesses as well as support business start-ups and entrepreneurs. For these purposes, the company offers consulting, coaching and management services for founders and entrepreneurs in the early stages of their development as well as for growth and stabilization; information and contact procurement; event offers for the purpose of furthering education and cooperation promotion.

Agency for Technology Transfer and Furtherance of Innovations Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Niedersachsen Global (NGlobal) is an economic development agency for the State of Niedersachsen. NGlobal markets Niedersachsen as an investment location and attracts new companies to the state, encourages inter-enterprise collaboration and joint ventures. The agency supports export-orientated companies, in particular small and medium-sized businesses based in Niedersachsen/Germany with comprehensive foreign trade information and services. Moreover, NGlobal promotes Niedersachsen abroad as the leading business Location. In order to intensify business contacts with foreign countries, NGlobal and the state of Niedersachsen have set up representative offices and business partners in Brazil, China, Cuba, India, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, South Africa, the USA and the UAE/Oman/Qatar.

Niedersachsen Global GmbH

ZENIT GmbH, founded in 1984, is a public-private partnership. It provides services for the benefit of companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as universities and research institutions. Serving clients from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, throughout Germany and abroad, ZENIT GmbH offers services tailored to individual enquiries. Embedded in the technology and innovation landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia, ZENIT GmbH maintains close links to universities, institutes, clusters and enterprises. With connections to European networks, ZENIT GmbH operates as a helping hand to link local organizations with markets abroad, offering expertise in innovation management, knowledge transfer and technology assessment as well as information on financing opportunities.

ZENIT GmbH

The IMG Innovations-Management GmbH IMG acts as a central patenting and innovation marketing agency in the federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz, in the south-west of Germany. Founded in 1996, it is owned by the Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) GmbH. IMG's function is to support and accelerate the transfer of knowledge between science and business. It also serves as the central contact point for all questions concerning the process of innovation of technology-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and for people starting new businesses. Its activities include technology transfer and innovation marketing, such as for the Patent Network of Science in Rheinland-Pfalz, the Enterprise Europe Network Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar, the organization of fair presentations, and the DESCOM Designforum Rheinland-Pfalz. Within the framework of the Patent Network, inventions developed at the universities and research Institutions in Rhineland-Palatinate are evaluated, patented and offered for licensing.

IMG Innovations-Management GmbH Rheinland-Pfalz

The Saarland Technology Corporation (STC), an American company located in Illinois is owned by Germany’s State of Saarland's Institut für Neue Materialien GmbH (INM) and Science Park Saar GmbH. Its mission is to accelerate the commercialization of state-of-the-art high tech products and to promulgate cooperative research, with a special emphasis on nanotechnology. The company connects and completes the value chain, collapsing the time to market of new and creative technology. It does this through direct contact with major world-wide companies that seek the benefits of the technology. STC employs pull-through and push-through marketing strategies to connect and complete the value chain. STC puts companies in direct contact with INM and companies providing commercially available products and sets up iterative technical communication where further technical development is required. STC has a wide cooperative network with American and German companies, universities and research laboratories. In 2011 STC plans expansion of its services to other countries.

Saarland Technology Corporation

Visionary economic and science policy implemented after the German reunification resulted in Saxony's excellent position in the high-tech sector, in academic and non-university research and internationally recognized commercial R&D centers. In 2007 Saxony spent 2.6% of its Gross Domestic Product on R&D. This corresponds with position 14 among European regions and position 5 within the German ranking. Foreign investors appreciate the excellence of the Saxon workforce involved in high-skill production. There are four universities in Saxony, five universities of applied sciences, five art colleges and seven private universities. In addition to the universities in Saxony, there are also numerous non-university research institutes: six Max-Planck Institutes, 16 Fraunhofer Institutes, seven Leibniz Institutes and one Helmholtz Institute (two additional Helmholtz Institutes will open in 2011). Dresden now has the second largest Fraunhofer center in Germany. More than 900 companies are performing research and development. This accounts for about half of the expenditure on R&D in Saxony. The state government supports R&D at and for companies by providing an attractive technology promotion scheme.

Freistaat Sachsen

The research portal of Saxony-Anhalt, which includes 51 research institutions with 9,600 projects, and over 48,800 publications, is the most important platform for research, scientific innovations, and technology transfer in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The portal includes methods of solutions, descriptions of various topics, co-operations, service supplies, and available research techniques. Financial support programs can be found in a special search engine on the website. Key contacts are experts in the fields of life sciences, information- and communication technology, engineering and renewable resources, natural science, and chemistry who provide qualified help and information upon request.

Forschungsportal Sachsen-Anhalt

The Business Development and Technology Transfer Corporation of Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH) serves as one competent partner in Schleswig-Holstein for all questions related to business development, technology transfer, and foreign trade services. The Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein, its Chamber of Commerce and the universities are partners in the WTSH. WTHS offers consultancy services and guidance in all questions of start-ups, foreign commerce, innovation and patents. As a one-stop agency, WTHS promotes technology projects, research and development activities, foreign commerce commitments as well as guides commercial and scientific cooperation. WTHS areas of expertise include: the life sciences, with an emphasis on the health and nutrition industries, information and communication technology, as well as e-business, environmental engineering and renewable energy, marine technology and food industry.

Business Development and Technology Transfer Corporation of Schleswig-Holstein

The Foundation for Technology, Innovation and Research Thuringia (STIFT) is a private non-profit foundation governed by civil law, and established by the Federal State of Thuringia in 1993. STIFT promotes comprehensive technology and knowledge transfer and shapes the technology landscape of Thuringia by facilitating the exploitation of scientific findings and research results. STIFT plans and establishes application and technology centers; promotes projects of Thuringian universities, research institutes, enterprises and networks. STIFT is also involved as an organizer or partner of large regional events and competitions, such as the Innovation Award Thuringia and the Thuringian Competition “Youth Research”. STIFT is partner of the Enterprise Europe Network and offers in this context information, advice and support on all questions related to the European single market, research funding and cross-border technology transfer.

Foundation for Technology, Innovation and Research Thuringia