
Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig today presented the founders of the new Dresden accelerator »ExciteLab« with a funding decision amounting to almost 763,000 euros. Last year, the Saxon cabinet passed the »Accelerators funding guideline«, a unique offer to strengthen the start-up landscape in Saxony.
Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig »The concrete cooperation between partners from the more technically oriented Dresden and the entrepreneurially oriented Leipzig is a stroke of luck for Saxony. This cooperation enables enormous synergies.«
ExciteLab’s program focuses on key technologies such as the Internet of Things, semiconductors, robotics, sensors, semiconductors and quantum technology. Start-up teams receive individual support and access to global companies and investors. ExciteLab builds on the proven expertise of Leipzig’s SpinLab, which was recently named one of Europe’s leading start-up centers by the Financial Times and Statista. The aim is to establish Dresden as a leading European metropolis for high-tech start-ups and to strengthen the IP transfer and spin-off activities of TU Dresden.
The combination of innovative research and fast-growing industry attracts international companies and start-ups from various sectors to Dresden.
This is demonstrated, for example, by Infineon’s investments, the new building for the technology group Jenoptik and the planned major project for the relocation of TSMC.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Director TUD|excite: »With ExciteLab, a top-class accelerator is being launched in Dresden. TU Dresden and the Leipzig SpinLab are already among the leading institutions of their kind in Europe and, with the involvement of TUDAG, will specifically strengthen their potential in the field of high-tech start-ups in the future through cooperation.«
Udo Werner, CEO of TU Dresden Aktiengesellschaft (TUDAG): »As a long-standing spin-off partner of TUD, we are looking forward to the intensified cooperation with TUD|excite. Our joint venture with the multi-award-winning SpinLab can and will develop into an excellent engine for technology transfer in Dresden.«
Eric Weber, founder and managing director of SpinLab: »With ExciteLab at the leading European microelectronics location Dresden, we are expanding our thematic coverage to new, promising areas. Our regular ranking as one of the leading startup supporters in Europe shows that the approach of specialized programs in suitable locations based on a proven principle is extremely successful.«
SpinLab Managing Director Marcus Haberstroh: »With ExciteLab, we are creating another important building block in the innovation ecosystem of our Free State, in which Saxon methodological, procedural and investment expertise is combined at a level never seen before in the high-tech sector.«
The six-month accelerator program starts for the first time in October. Applications are possible from now until August 27, 2024.
In the photo: from left to right: Dr. Marcus Haberstroh (SpinLab), Dr. Eric Weber (SpinLab), Alexander Türpe (ExciteLab), Martin Duhlig, Udo Werner (TUDAG TU Dresden Aktiengesellschaft) and Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart (TUD|excite).
Photo copyright: ExciteLab