Applied Deep Tech for the
Next Generation Mittelstand

"The NXTGN Startup Factory bridges the gap between scientific excellence and industrial innovation—putting deep tech to work where it shapes the future."

"The universities, universities of applied sciences, and private-sector partners [involved in NXTGN] have joined forces to create strong momentum at the intersection of cutting-edge research, an innovative startup culture, and responsible entrepreneurship — impulses that sustainably strengthen the competitiveness of both the region and the country, while driving social progress."

"The NXTGN Startup Factory bridges the gap between scientific excellence and industrial innovation—putting deep tech to work where it shapes the future."

"Startups are key drivers of innovation, knowledge transfer and economic momentum in Baden-Württemberg. By connecting the Startup Factory with the INSPIRE BW Hubs, we are building a strong, statewide ecosystem that fosters talent, accelerates startups, and secures Baden-Württemberg’s future as a leading hub for innovation."

In recent years, it has become clear that many startups lack a central point of contact that brings together the potential of science and business. I’m pleased that the Startup Factories initiative addresses exactly this need.

"To win the future, we need not just today’s industry leaders but also tomorrow’s. Startup Factories are where the next generation of startups is born, and where today’s ideas become the scaleups of the future. Our goal: to unleash the untapped potential of academic and research-based spin-offs."

"The NXTGN Startup Factory is a flagship project for KIT and for Germany as a hub of innovation. By collaborating closely with leading universities and companies, we are building a shared platform for deep tech spin-offs and the ‘Next Generation Mittelstand’. With a focus on deep tech innovation, we are working together to deliver strong momentum for Germany’s innovation and global competitiveness."

“The NXTGN Startup Factory brings together bright minds and strong partners to turn ideas into groundbreaking technologies – directly from the region, for a future that serves people.”

"With the NXTGN Startup Factory, we are writing a new chapter in our country’s innovation story. In Baden-Württemberg, we don’t think small when it comes to future technologies. We think in systems. We unite cutting-edge research, bold founders, and responsible companies to create sustainable prosperity and quality of life for future generations."

"Successful startups emerge when the right people come together at the right time with the right ideas. Contributing to that process is incredibly rewarding. It also teaches me something new every time."

'The Startup Factory can be compared to a youth academy in soccer. With our Innovation Ground, we want to offer young, promising companies a platform to develop, gain visibility, and make an impact—always with a strong sense of regional responsibility."

„NXTGN is not built around a single institution, but around shared infrastructure, long-term alignment, and entrepreneurial logic. This coordinated effort across Baden-Württemberg forms a hub of innovation, continuously expanding its reach. Seeing ecosystems collaborate, each with its own strengths, is a rare and powerful signal for a large, strong ecosystem – in the Southwest and all of Germany.“

"With NXTGN, we translate scientific excellence into targeted economic value. What makes this model particularly promising is its close integration with the German Mittelstand."

“The NXTGN Startup Factory enables an extremely exciting ecosystem for both medium-sized companies and startups. This includes not only development partnerships, but also supplier and customer relationships. Both sides benefit from the professionalization of this unique potential in order to realize the innovations of tomorrow.”

“We need a strong venture capital landscape in Baden-Württemberg in order to take the next step in our development as an ecosystem. With Mätch VC, we already have a great player on board as an anchor investor. Now we need to generate momentum. That's why we, as the state bank, are supporting the NXTGN Startup Factory.”

"With NXTGN, we are closing a strategic gap: accelerating the path from research to application and strengthening technology-driven startups emerging from the scientific community. This is transfer in action—rooted in the region, ready for the world."

"A strong network is essential because it’s more than just the sum of its parts. No one can do everything alone; you need to know who to turn to when it counts."