Dresden University of Technology opens innovative TUD|excite Space!

Dresden University of Technology opens innovative TUD|excite Space!

On May 22, 2025, the ceremonial opening of the TUD|excite Space and the TUD|excite Innovation Hub took place in the Andreas Schubert Building at the Technical University of Dresden (TUD). These new facilities are intended to offer innovative spaces for transfer services and pursue the goal of developing TUD into a leading institution for scientifically driven innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in Europe. With the support of knowledge architects from TUD and the interior design office ONWS, a modern new work concept is to be realized within this framework. Rector Prof. Ursula M. Staudinger emphasized the importance of the TUD|excite Space as a “one-stop shop” for transfer and start-up support services.

The new TUD|excite Innovation Hub, which was created in collaboration with the Saxon State Library - Dresden State and University Library (SLUB) and the Dresden Technology Center, was also presented to the public. State Secretary Thomas Kralinski highlighted the relevance of the TUD|excite Space for creative projects and pointed out the generous grants of around 22.7 million euros that are being provided by the Free State of Saxony and the EU during the current ERDF structural fund funding period 2021-2027.

Support for innovation and start-ups

A central concern of TUD|excite is to promote close networks within the innovation ecosystem. Prof. Andreas Pinkwart explained the role of TUD|excite as a catalyst for innovation and emphasized the support for researchers in order to translate their results into practice. This also includes securing property rights and supporting start-ups. With around 100 new patents per year, TUD also holds the record for the most patents in Germany, which underlines the innovative spirit at the university.

TUD|excite's focus is on several areas, including managing patents and supporting research-based innovations. The facility is divided into six units:

• excite|PATENTS: Verwaltung des IP-Prozesses von der Erfindung bis zum Eigentumsrecht.
• excite|INNOVATE: Koordination des Transfers von Forschungsergebnissen und geistigem Eigentum in die Praxis.
• excite|STARTUP: Informationen, Schulungen, Beratung und Unterstützung für angehende Gründer.
• excite|TALENTS: Sensibilisierung von Studierenden und Mitarbeitenden für Transfer- und Gründungsmöglichkeiten.
• excite|FUTURELAB: Förderung von Forschung und Innovation im Technologietransfer und Unternehmertum.
• excite|FACILITATE: Optimierung von Prozessen und Sicherstellung exzellenter Dienstleistungen bei TUD|excite.

Promoting innovation through cooperation

By bundling central activities of the TU Dresden in the areas of innovation, transfer and strategic partnerships, TUD|excite becomes a significant player in technology transfer. as well as the Max Planck Institute for Science Transfer, which actively manages patents and licenses and promotes technology transfer in various disciplines. These synergies between academic institutions are crucial for the creation of new products or industrial processes and demonstrate Dresden's pioneering role in Germany's innovation landscape.

TUD will continue to participate in numerous research and development projects with Saxon companies in order to promote technology transfer and innovative strength in the region. Dr. In this context, Michelangelo Masini from ZEISS emphasized the importance of innovation and technology transfer, especially in the field of medical technology.