Innovation & Start-ups

We highlight the potential for innovation at the university and put research into practice. To do so, we support scientists in further developing their research results into technical and social innovations in collaboration with partners from society.With the BRIDGE start-up service, we strengthen the start-up climate for students, researchers and alumni and promote promising research- and knowledge-based ideas at an early stage. Through measures such as scouting, social innovation, open innovation and participation management, we contribute to solving social challenges.

Contact: innoup(at)uni-bremen.de

BRIDGE is the start-up service of the University of Bremen and also the joint start-up network of all universities in the state of Bremen. As a central point of contact, BRIDGE supports students, researchers, employees and alumni of Bremen's universities in all matters relating to starting a business.

The BRIDGE start-up network is supported by the University of Bremen (office in the UniTransfer administrative unit), Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, the University of the Arts Bremen, Constructor University and Bremer Aufbau-Bank GmbH. BRIDGE aims to strengthen the start-up climate at the participating universities in the long term and to identify promising start-up ideas at an early stage and provide targeted support.Further information on

Further information on business start-ups.

Contact partners: Meike Goos, Agnieszka Kawecka, Jeroen Langejan, Ute Mai, Fabian Oestreicher, Dr. Stephanie Rabe, Sarah Thiel

Uni Bremen Campus GmbH (UBC) is a 100% subsidiary of the University of Bremen. Scientists at the university can establish a UBC center under the roof of the company and thus operate entrepreneurially without having to found a company themselves. The now more than 50 UBC centers offer science-based services on the market.

UniTransfer and the management of UBC advise scientists on all questions relating to the establishment of centers and companies that are interested in commissioning UBC.

Further information on Uni Bremen Campus GmbH

Contact partner: Christoph Otte

To provide special support for its knowledge and technology transfer, the University of Bremen acquires shares in companies in selected cases. Such shareholdings form the basis for long-term and intensive cooperation between the university and the companies.

The investment management team at UniTransfer oversees existing investments, handles new investment projects, processes exits and supports the University Executive Board in exercising the shareholder rights of the University of Bremen.

Further information on corporate investments

Contact partner: Christoph Otte

The University of Bremen has been actively pursuing patents and inventions since 2002 and has many years of experience in industrial property rights. During this time, an extensive portfolio of property rights has been built up. Patented inventions are a key success factor for bringing scientific innovations to the market.

Inventions, patent applications and patents by scientists form an important basis for knowledge and technology transfer at the University of Bremen.

UniTransfer offers university members qualified initial advice on all questions relating to property rights, including inventions, patents, licences and trademarks. In close cooperation with InnoWi GmbH, UniTransfer accompanies the entire patenting process from the initial idea to commercialisation.

Further information on Inventions and Property Rights

Contact partner: Dr. Stephanie Rabe

In the joint research project hyBit, UniTransfer is actively searching for innovation potential as well as suitable formats and channels to make these known and usable in practice.

As a consortium of 20 partner institutions, hyBit is researching the opportunities and interactions of using hydrogen in industrial production and its effects on other areas such as the circular economy, logistics and heat & energy.

UniTransfer's direct involvement in a joint research project marks a new form of cooperation in which short distances between research and transfer expertise are established and innovative forms of active and activating transfer work are tested.

Further information on hyBit

Contact partner: Dr. Michael Neumann

The University of Bremen develops not only technical innovations, but also social innovations. By this we mean new social practices and approaches to solving societal challenges. Social and technical innovations can complement each other and be effective when combined. This is exemplified by the TCALL project, which is being implemented at the University of Bremen in the field of inpatient long-term care.

UniTransfer supports researchers at the University of Bremen in developing social innovations and, in particular, in putting them into practice. Our services include events, consulting, assistance in finding cooperation partners and funding opportunities.

Contact partner: Fatma Arici

APOC Bremen (Aerospace Point of Contact) is an association of researchers in the state of Bremen who are active in aerospace and related disciplines. The thematic spectrum ranges from basic research to application-oriented research and cooperation projects that focus on the transfer of scientific knowledge to industry and civil society. The strategic orientation and approach of APOC Bremen are guided by a steering committee and an advisory board elected by the members.

APOC Bremen, based in the UniTransfer department, is the central and clearly defined point of contact for questions relating to aerospace in the state of Bremen. The initiative promotes networking among researchers and supports the transfer of research results and expertise to industry, society, politics and education.

Further information on APOC Bremen

Contact partner: Dr. Thomas Koch

Since its founding, practical relevance has been one of the guiding principles of the University of Bremen. Much of the research is conducted in collaboration with partners from society and industry. The forms of these research collaborations are extremely diverse.

UniTransfer advises scientists and external partners on opportunities for collaboration and funding. We support both sides in their search for suitable research partnerships and are happy to establish initial contacts.

Further information on Research & Development with Partners

Contact partner: Anne-Kathrin Guder & Christoph Otte