Fostering start-ups in the field of security and defense

TUM Venture Labs and Hensoldt enter into a strategic partnership

As innovation incubators, the TUM Venture Labs promote technology-oriented spin-offs and support founders in transforming scientific findings and ideas into marketable products. The twelve Venture Labs - a joint initiative of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and UnternehmerTUM - offer an ecosystem tailored to cutting-edge technologies. As one of the core partners of the TUM Venture Lab Aerospace, which also coordinates defense-related topics across the board, Hensoldt will support start-ups focusing on the accelerated development of security and defense technologies in the future.

TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasizes: "The global security situation has changed fundamentally. New threats, hybrid forms of conflict, and a changed understanding of security policy roles in familiar partnerships require Germany and Europe to take decisive action and strengthen the sovereignty of their own defense capabilities. To protect our population, democracy, and preserve peace, we want to use our technologies to accelerate the modernization of our defense capabilities. The catalysts for this are our TUM Venture Labs, which together with industry partnerships form a unique innovation ecosystem for start-up talent in Europe."

As an industry partner, Hensoldt contributes many years of expertise to the TUM Venture Labs and provides founders with practical insights into industrial requirements and processes. Oliver Dörre, CEO of Hensoldt, explains: "Innovation can only succeed together. By working closely with excellent research institutions such as TUM and through direct exchange with founders, we are creating a strong network for technological sovereignty. Together, we want to provide new impetus, promote cooperation, and make targeted investments in future technologies." Hensoldt, headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich, develops sensor solutions for security and defense-related applications and is one of the leading companies in European defense electronics.

Dr. Philipp Gerbert, CEO of TUM Venture Labs, adds: "As the leading European DeepTech Entrepreneurship Hub, TUM Venture Labs and our partners in Munich are central to defense-related innovations in the fields of space travel, autonomous systems of all kinds, software and artificial intelligence, cyber security, but also new communication and sensor technologies, quantum technologies, innovative materials and on-demand manufacturing."

Dr. Florian Dötzer, Head of the TUM Venture Lab Aerospace, emphasizes: "With Hensoldt, we have an invaluable partner at our side. In view of current geopolitical developments, we must increasingly sensitize our start-ups to what it means to develop products for security and defense-relevant markets."