German Startup Expands: Central Germany Recognized with boOst Startup Factory
Central Germany’s »boOst Startup Ecosystem gGmbH« has been chosen as one of ten winners in the national EXIST lighthouse competition, »Startup Factories«, organized by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Announced on July 10 in Berlin, the achievement secures federal funding of up to €10 million, matched by equal contributions from industrial partners. The initiative, coordinated by Dresden University of Technology (TUD) and Leipzig University (UL), brings together prominent universities including Chemnitz University of Technology, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and Ernst Abbe University Jena. Focused on semiconductor technology, chip design, photonics, and health tech, »boOst« aims to significantly boost the creation of new high-tech companies. Prof. Andreas Marx from Friedrich Schiller University Jena highlighted the initiative’s potential to quickly transform scientific research into viable start-ups, particularly within deep-tech. The »boOst« Startup Factory has set ambitious targets, aiming to double annual start-up numbers in Saxony and Thuringia from the current 100 to 200 by 2030, with at least 50 having a deep-tech focus. Prominent industry partners include Infineon, ZEISS, Bosch, ESMC, X-Fab, Volkswagen, and the MADSACK media group. The management team, led by CEO Marco Weicholdt along with Juliane Elsner and Felix Hagleitner, is committed to developing globally competitive startups and strengthening regional economic sustainability. The EXIST lighthouse competition supports the development of startup factories at German universities, driving innovation and systematically guiding technology-based start-ups from research through global market success. Implementation of the selected projects begins in October 2025.