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Bochum in a frenzy of innovation: 200 guests celebrate science and startups!
The Ruhr University Bochum hosted IDEA.2025, a forum for innovations and start-ups in Bochum, on May 15, 2025.
Bochum in a frenzy of innovation: 200 guests celebrate science and startups!
This year's IDEA.2025 event took place on May 15, 2025 at the Bochum O-Werk of the Ruhr University Bochum, which attracted more than 200 guests. The aim of the event was to present ideas and innovations from science that address urgent social and technological challenges. Prof. Dr. Günther Meschke, Vice Rector for Research and Transfer at the Ruhr University Bochum, opened the event with a rousing speech.
The Ruhr University Bochum was recently recognized as one of only six Excellence Start-up Centers.NRW, an honor awarded by the Ministry of Economics, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. This award underlines the important role of the university in the area of start-up support and innovation-oriented research.
Innovation and start-up culture
As part of IDEA.2025, various topics such as funding opportunities, entrepreneurship education, female entrepreneurship and the protection of intellectual property were discussed. The event offered insights into innovations from the fields of deep tech and materials science. A central component was the BRYCK Startup Alliance, which was launched as a new startup initiative by the Ruhr University Alliance, BRYCK, the RAG Foundation and the Ruhr Initiativkreis.
A highlight of the event was the WORLDFACTORY Demo Day, where the best founding teams from the Ruhr University Bochum were honored. A total of 3,000 euros in prize money was awarded, donated by NRW.BANK. Special prizes went to TF-Industries, After Battle and VolaChem, who each received a ticket to the important tech conference SLUSH in Helsinki. The company ENTRYZERO also received the opportunity to participate in the STEP USA University Program in New York.
Competitions and awards
The winners of the WORLDFACTORY Demo Day 2025 are:
| Place | team | project |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TF Industries | physically automated air gap system |
| 2 | ENTRYZERO | automated threat analysis |
| 3 | Afterbattle | Cancer follow-up app |
As part of the NRW Start-up Pitch, seven teams from seven North Rhine-Westphalian universities presented their innovative ideas. Here too, micro-funding totaling 10,000 euros was awarded to the three best teams. In addition, the mechIC team from the Ruhr University Bochum received the wildcard for the ruhrSUMMIT Award. The winners of the NRW Start-up Pitch 2025 are:
| Place | team | project |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | mechIC (RUB) | fail-safe, current-free strain sensor |
| 2 | naion.tech (RWTH Aachen) | Nanofiltration membranes |
| 3 | Taxpeer (University of Bonn) | AI-supported learning platform for tax advisor exams |
Structure and support for founders
The WORLDFACTORY Transfer and Start-up Center (WSC) at the Ruhr University Bochum plays a central role in supporting start-ups. It supports scientists in transforming their ideas into marketable products and services. The challenges here are not small: How can research results be successfully implemented in practice? How do scientists become entrepreneurs? Answers to these questions are essential for strengthening innovative strength in Germany.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany has a strong research landscape, but faces challenges in transferring scientific results into application. The promotion of innovation ecosystems, such as those created by networks of science, business and civil society, is therefore crucial. The support of such networks is intended to help secure Germany's technological sovereignty and create new business models.
Overall, the IDEA.2025 event reflects the dynamic start-up culture at the Ruhr University Bochum and shows the creative potential that is promoted by the close connection between science and business, while at the same time solutions to social challenges are developed.