Entrepreneurial spirit of Technische Universität München

TUM is an entrepreneurial university, inspiring and empowering its students, scientists, researchers and alumni to think and act like entrepreneurs. TUM systematically develops and supports start-ups and fosters an “entrepreneurial spirit” in all areas of university life. The objective is to translate the inspiration of its top researchers into lasting value for society through high-tech companies that are competitive in an international marketplace.

Since 1990, TUM has been the launch pad for around 380 companies, which now employ around 11,000 employees. TUM is one of the most active universities in Germany in terms of patent applications. The university intends to build on its successes here to become Europe’s leading light in technology transfer and has therefore initiated a scouting system to identify marketable innovations developed by its scientists. The aim here is to inspire researchers who might not previously have considered founding their own businesses. The university guides them through the start-up process and gives them the freedom they need to succeed. The UnternehmerTUM Center for Innovation and Business Creation at TUM has created a venture capital fund to support these entrepreneurs. In addition, findings from entrepreneurship research at TUM are being channeled more directly into measures aimed at promoting start-ups. In 2011, TUM’s conzept proved a success in “EXIST-Gründungskultur” – a competition organized by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology – and the university was awarded funding of around EUR 2.7 million.

TUM is itself driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and follows a professional human resources management strategy to win and retain the best talent across all areas and faculties. A pioneer in systematic fundraising, the university has successfully increased its financial headroom. Founded in 2010 with funds of over EUR 20 million, the TUM University Foundation plays a key role in bolstering TUM’s forward-looking strategy under the Excellence Initiative umbrella. The university reports its achievements to the public.

Further Information:

• Information for entrepreneurs: Start-ups at TUM

• Information for companies: Companies partnering with TUM

• Welcome letter from Prof. Thomas Hofmann, Vice President for Research and Entrepreneurship at TUM
• Entrepreneurship research at TUM
• TUMentrepreneurship strategy

contact: presse@tum.de