Start-up funding in Saxony: Millions for innovative start-ups!

Start-up funding in Saxony: Millions for innovative start-ups!

The TUClab competition at Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC) offers a platform for new entrepreneurs and scientists who want to develop innovative ideas. Participants can apply until August 31, 2025 and benefit from financial support of up to 300,000 euros, which is provided by Sächsische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (SBG). This measure is part of the comprehensive start-up support that is supported by the Free State of Saxony with funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) until 2027.

The competition aims to promote creative projects in the TUC's core competencies. These are “Intelligent Materials and Systems”, “Resource-efficient Production and Lightweight Construction” and “People and Technology”. The founding teams are required to come up with an innovative idea that is linked to one of the areas mentioned. The company was founded no more than twelve months ago. The jury, consisting of representatives from business, politics and science, assesses the projects taking into account innovative content, economic parameters, strategic orientation, sustainability and regionality. This information is provided by the Chemnitz University of Technology provided.

Application information and schedule

The individual steps of the competition are clearly structured. After the application deadline on August 31, 2025, the finalists will be announced by October 6, 2025. The climax of the competition will take place on October 24, 2025 in Chemnitz, when the presentation of the best concepts and the award ceremony will take place in a celebratory setting. Dr. Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel, who has been in charge of the TUClab since September 2024, has also previously worked as a juror and emphasizes the positive experience in the jury sessions, which are appreciative and supportive.

Since TUClab was founded in 2018, in collaboration with the Sächsische Aufbaubank, two to three teams have been selected and supported every year. The support includes not only financial resources, but also access to the infrastructure of Chemnitz University of Technology and a network of mentors and transfer partners. In this way, start-up teams can make important contacts and advance their projects quickly.

Achievements of the competition

Last year, on November 8, 2024, the 7th TUClab competition took place, in which the founding teams CYNiO and Cucumber Company took first place. CYNiO specializes in the development of special chemicals used in the chemical industry. What is interesting is the innovative process for producing these chemicals, which does not require the toxic gas phosgene. The other winners, the Cucumber Company, offer modern rehearsal rooms for musicians and integrate an app for digital booking and access control into their business model.

In total, the Saxon state government is making around 35 million euros available from ESF and state funds to support start-ups in order to strengthen Saxony as a business location even in times of crisis. Saxon Economics Minister Martin Dulig emphasizes how important support is for start-ups. The balance sheet to date shows that over 2,500 funded projects were recorded in the previous funding period, which underlines the importance of the programs.

For further information, interested parties can contact Dr. Anja Herrmann-Fankhänel on 0371 531-30405 or by email tuclab@tu-chemnitz.de is reachable. Full details of the competition are also available on the TUC website TU Chemnitz to find.