STANDING STILL DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALWAYS ON THE MOVE. AND OFTEN IN CONVERSATION. NEW SPRIND PODCAST: How can Germany become "world class" again when it comes to innovation? How do we finally mobilize significantly more growth capital for scale-ups? And what support do researchers need to found deep-tech start-ups? Our host Thomas Ramge talks to Verena Pausder, Chairwoman of the Association of German Start-ups. PIONEERS OF THE SKY SPRIND FUNKE Winners Lead the Way on Fully Autonomous Flight Es ist Zeit für Veränderung: Mit den Projekten adlunas und Mein Bildungsraum will die SPRIND die Transformation im Bildungswesen vorantreiben. Was genau sich hinter der Bildungsmission der SPRIND verbirgt, verraten Jelka Seitz und Johannes Koska, die die Bildungsmission von Beginn an mitgestalten, im Interview. SPRIND launches innovation challenge: up to 14 teams will receive up to 725,000 euros for solutions to detect and prevent deepfakes. Application deadline is October 18, 2024. 8 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR THE SECOND STAGE SPRIND FUNKE “EUDI WALLET PROTOTYPES” For the second stage of this 13-month innovation competition eight teams were selected to develop prototypes for European Digital Identity (EUDI) wallets. In addition to the four teams that receive funding, four other teams that do not receive any funding from SPRIND will take part in the second stage of this innovation competition. In the SPRIND Funke, four teams will now receive funding to implement and prototype their innovative ideas based on the architecture concepts for a wallet app. In addition to the four funded projects, four additional teams that do not receive funding from SPRIND will take part in the second stage of this innovation competition.Read the article. about this SPRIND Funke and the participating teams. SPRIND, supported by University of Chicago economists, proposes new funding models to stimulate global development of pandemic-preparedness antivirals. Further information how SPRIND wants to contribute to global pandemic preparedness with the Advance Market Commitment initiative. VENTURE SPRIND BRINGS TOGETHER TEAMS AND INVESTORS OF DEEPTECH, BIOTECH & LIFE SCIENCE The European DeepTech, Life Science and BioTech scene met at VENTURE SPRIND in the 'Alte Münze', Berlin. 61 start-ups from the SPRIND portfolio presented their innovations in pitch sessions to give investors insights into potential leap innovations. ILLUTHERM – BLUE LIGHT INSTEAD OF FOSSIL FUELS Lukas Porz is revolutionizing traditional firing methods with blue light. Thanks to his discovery, ceramics can be heated in seconds, making the energy-intensive and CO2-emitting use of kilns superfluous. Together with his team, he plans to apply this technology to metals, glass and cement in order to make the industry more sustainable. HOW POLYMERACTIVE CLEANS AIR AND WATER WITH INDUSTRIAL WASTE STREAMS Adrian Monteleone and his company PolymerActive develop innovative solutions to clean and recycle industrial waste streams. By using polymers, pollutants such as heavy metals and microplastics can be removed from water and air. His aim is to promote the circular economy and sustainability in industry by converting waste streams into valuable resources. 'IP TRANSFER 3.0 – CONCEPTUAL TOOLBOX' A joint pilot program of SPRIND, the Stifterverband and Fraunhofer ISI. The aim of the program is to accelerate and simplify technology transfer at German universities in order to facilitate spin-offs from research. SPRIND FUNKE "FULLY AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT": 10 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR DRONE RACE In April 2024, the participating teams met at the airbase in Erding to demonstrate the technological progress that has been made over the past 2.5 months. GREEN LIGHT FOR SPRIND FUNKE "EUDI WALLET PROTOTYPES" SPRIND has called for entries for an innovation competition! The aim of this Funke is to create prototypes with differing wallet implementations for the most trustworthy, user-friendly, and universally applicable European Digital Identity Wallets (EUDIW) for users in Germany. THE ART OF SPRINDFLUENCING 2.0 Even in 2024 female teams are still clearly underrepresented when it comes to company foundings. Unfortunately, SPRIND project submissions are no exception. #SPRINDfluencers want to change that! Accepting the lack of female submissions is not an option either, and remains one of our key goals: to address and reach smart female innovators who we know are out there. Here you can see all the #SPRINDfluencers of the second round . SPRIND PROJECT "EUDI-WALLET" Electronic means of identification and digital verification in Europe are increasing, and the current eIDAS Regulation 2.0 sets down the legal basis and defines the framework conditions necessary for this process. Germany now needs a path toward eIDAS-compliant infrastructure. More information about the status quo, the approach and an upcoming SPRIND Challenge. INNOVATIVE RECYCLING FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES CellCircle has developed an innovative battery recycling process that recovers the functional materials of lithium-ion batteries efficiently and regenerates them in high purity for direct reuse. This new method is characterized by time and energy efficiency, as it eliminates the need for time-consuming steps. SEMRON SECURES SEED FINANCING Dresden-based SEMRON GmbH, which is developing a new type of 3D AI chip technology, has secured EUR 7.3 million in financing from a group of renowned venture capital companies. SEMRON secures seed funding. What are the next steps that will be taken with the help of the funding?The Interview. SPRIND FUNKE TISSUE ENGINEERING STARTS WITH FOUR TEAMS The first stage of the 10-month innovation competition will fund four teams to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel approach to tissue engineering for a first human transplant. The teams will create organ replacements for liver, pancreas, muscle and joint cartilage.Read the article. AI STRATEGY FOR GERMANY The AI strategy describes a mission-oriented approach that can be quickly put into action, to keep up with the rapid development of new technologies and AI. 10 MILLION EUROS FOR THE REMAINING TEAMS The SPRIND Challenge "Broad-Spectrum Antivirals" will enter its third and final stage in November 2023. PHAGES AGAINST MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA Phage therapy has existed for over 100 years, but in Germany, its acceptance as an effective alternative to antibiotics has been slow. For that reason and on behalf of SPRIND, Prof. Dr. Christian Willy and Dr. Felix Broecker investigated in necessary steps for establishing a center for bacteriophage research, application, and production in Germany by 2030. THE SPRIND SUPERVISORY BOARD INTRODUCES ITSELF Peter Leibinger and Birgitta Wolff are elected chairman and deputy chairwoman DAS ERSTE SPRIND HOFFEST – VERNETZEN, MACHEN, BOCK AUF ZUKUNFT ... UND KICKERN Nach vier Jahren kamen das gesamte SPRIND-Team, Neudenker:innen und Freunde in die Räume (in den Hof) der SPRIND zum ersten Mal in Leipzig zusammen, um sich über den Fortschritt der mittlerweile zwölf Großprojekte zu informieren, sich kennenzulernen, zu vernetzen, auszutauschen und manchmal auch, trotz langer Zusammenarbeit, erstmals in 'in echt' zu sehen. TRENDSETTING MEDICAL DEVICES: SOLYPLUS MAKES BIOPOLYMERS INDUSTRY READY SPRIND assigned SolyPlus GmbH to validate its technology so it could explore its disruptive innovation potential. With its recently completed validation process, SolyPlus’ technology makes it possible to transform biopolymers, such as hyaluronic acid or chitosan, into smart materials in pure form. These can be used as starting materials for new, innovative products in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. VENTURE SPRIND BRINGS TOGETHER TEAMS AND DEEP-TECH INVESTORS The European deep-tech scene came together at VENTURE SPRIND in Leipzig. In pitch sessions, speed dating, and deep dives, investors got the ins and outs about potential disruptive innovations. Focus at VENTURE SPRIND was on startups from the SPRIND portfolio in the areas of climate and green tech, computing, and software. GERMAN FEDERAL AGENCY FOR DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION ANNOUNCES NEW SPRIND CHALLENGE SPRIND is announcing the Circular Biomanufacturing Challenge. In this three-year innovation competition, up to eight teams will be funded to develop novel bioprocessing techniques that valorize raw materials from waste streams and integrate the output of the biomanufacturing processes into conventional manufacturing practices. A NEW GENERATION OF BATTERIES WITH SODIUM-SULFUR TECHNOLOGY The limited availability and rising prices of materials used in conventional lithium-ion batteries means growing demands are becoming harder to meet. That is why Theion is working on developing a new generation of batteries based on sodium-sulfur technology and has now been assigned a validation by SPRIND. AIMING HIGH: CEREMONIAL INAUGURATION OF THE WORLD’S TALLEST WIND MEASURING MAST Over 100 guests from government and industry kick off research operations of the 300-meter-tall wind measuring mast on the Klettwitz plateau in Brandenburg, Germany. CARBON-TO-VALUE CHALLENGE WANTS TO TURN BACK CO2-CLOCK The Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation has selected the participants for the second stage of the Carbon-to-Value Challenge. Each of the three selected teams will receive a further 2,300,000 euros until 30 September 2024. The aim of this Challenge is to achieve a breakthrough in the use of CO2 from the air in new products to make the fight against climate change economically viable. HOW TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY DURING HEAT PUMP INSTALLATION BY TENFOLD Efficiently installing heat pumps is a crucial step in decarbonizing the building sector. The thermondo report, commissioned by SPRIND, offers practical solutions to help installers overcome the skills shortage and get the job done. SPRIND FUNDS VALIDATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY REDOX FLOW BATTERIES Two young innovators are aiming to revolutionize the redox flow battery. Instead of environmentally harmful vanadium, they are using CO2 and water – raw materials that are neither limited nor highly polluting. CHALLENGE DAYS: THE NEW COMPUTING CONCEPTS CHALLENGE At the Challenge Days on February 27th and 28th, the teams of our New Computing Concepts Challenge took the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts in this field. Impressions of the SPRIND Challenge Days in February 2023. CHALLENGE DAYS: CARBON-TO-VALUE AND LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE CHALLENGES Since the start of their Challenges last year, the teams of the ClimateTech Challenges have been working on developing their ideas. On March 2nd and 3rd, 2023, they now met for their first Challenge Days in Leipzig. Impressions of the Challenge Days on March 2nd and 3rd, 2023. SPRIND CREATES INFRASTRUCTURE FOR LASER-DRIVEN FUSION At a meeting on March 7th, the SPRIND Supervisory Board gave its approval for the founding of Pulsed Light Technologies. The wholly-owned subsidiary of SPRIND GmbH will develop infrastructure for the generation of energy from laser-driven fusion and work on fusion energy issues that need to be solved, but it does not interfere with start-ups' core developments or IP concerning fusion power plants. EINE ENERGIESPARENDE REGELUNG FÜR DIE FUSSBODENHEIZUNG Ein Beitrag zum Erreichen der Klimaziele: Grundlagen- und Anwendungsforschung führen zur Problemlösung. OVERCOMING THE FLASCHENHALS In order to realize our visions for the future, we need entirely new computing concepts. In a comic essay, Dr. Julia Schneider and Noëlle Kröger address this need - as does SPRIND in its New Computing Concepts Challenge. NO MORE INNOVATION THEATER Prof. Dr. Katharina Hölzle, Head of the Institute for Human Factors and Technology Management at the University of Stuttgart and of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering, looks at Germany as a center of innovation—and at SPRIND as a role model. TAT-SACHEN 2021|22 Since the end of 2019, SPRIND has been creating TAT-SACHEN in terms of breakthrough innovation – here, we take a look back and forward. CREATING THE FUTURE WE WANT The Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation was established three years ago. In this interview we will be looking back and forward with the SPRIND leadership team, Berit Dannenberg and Rafael Laguna de la Vera. SPRIND CHALLENGE LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE STARTS WITH FIVE TEAMS In order to achieve a breakthrough in the development of technologies that can store energy efficiently and cost-effectively over a long duration, SPRIND called for this Challenge at the end of July 2022. From a total of 42 applications, the expert jury from science and industry now selected five teams. They will receive up to one million euros each to further develop their technologies within the next 12 months.Read the article. DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION FOR ANTIBODY-BASED IMMUNOTHERAPIES The Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation SPRIND finances the work of Plectonic Biotech GmbH in the coming years. The start-up has developed a nanoswitch that binds immune cells to tumor cells to facilitate the development of immunotherapies that target tumors specifically and have fewer side effects. WORKING ON A BREAKTHROUGH? From November 7 to 9, SPRIND was a guest at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin and offered the opportunity for personal exchange in the SPRIND Lounge. In addition, the kick-off for the "IP Transfer 3.0" project took place on site with representatives from 17 universities, research institutions and associations. The goal of the experimental community is to break new ground in IP transfer. SPRIND LAUNCHES 'IP-TRANSFER 3.0' PROJECT Together with a group of 12-15 universities and research institutions, the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation wants to open up new paths in IP transfer. The goal is to produce more knowledge-based spin-offs from the participating institutions more quickly, more efficiently, at the same time in a legally secure manner and subsequently in a more financially viable manner. All universities and research institutions in Germany were invited to apply for participation in this project. From the numerous applications, 17 institutions were invited to participate in the pilot project.Read the article. CHALLENGE ON ANTIVIRAL AGENTS ENTERS STAGE 2 In the summer of 2021 SPRIND has called for the first Challenge. In it teams compete in parallel with different solution strategies to find the most promising active substances in the fight against viral diseases in a competition over three years. In October 2022, the jury met for the second time. Six out of nine teams could enter stage 2 of the Challenge afterwards.Read the article. OECD REPORT: FROM INCREMENTAL INNOVATIONS TO DISRUPTIVE INNOVATIONS The OECD devoted an entire chapter to the topic of disruptive innovations in its latest report on innovation policy in Germany - underscoring the importance of disruptive innovations for an economy. This presents some of the ways in which the promotion of leap innovations differs from traditional research and innovation policy. Because: "Policies to promote leapfrog innovations are largely about correcting market dysfunctions that may prevent breakthrough developments from being realized more often. For example, investment opportunities may be lower because leap innovations are associated with higher risk. If the costs of inaction are not factored into market and business processes, technologically feasible decarbonization solutions may not be sufficiently generalized to be effective. When breakthrough developments require new combinations of knowledge and experience, they may not be produced quickly enough, or at all, within the existing innovation orientation of the research base and private sector." The full chapter on disruptive innovations is available for reading here (in German). REVOLUTION AFTER 100 YEARS: HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS OF METHANOL The way methanol is still produced today on the basis of heterogeneous catalysis dates back to a patent from 1921. Nothing significant has changed in the technology for 75 years now. It was high time for a disruptive innovation, according to the team at C1, which received a validation order from SPRIND: homogeneously catalyzed methanol synthesis. DEVELOPING SAFE SOFTWARE AT FULL THROTTLE Despite impressive progress in recent years, the driveblocks team believes that autonomous driving will still need some development resources before it can be used in all vehicle classes and use cases. For the founders, the solution lies in an open source ecosystem. On behalf of SPRIND, the team is now validating relevant challenges. SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH-SCALE MANUFACTURING OF CLIMATE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES Equipped with today's climate protection technology, all private households could in principle be decoupled from the gas grid by 2035. However, manufacturers would have to build up overcapacity for a few years, which could subsequently no longer be fully utilized until the first wave of mass replacement of old heat pumps occurs with a 15 to 20-year offset. In order to solve the scaling problem, SPRIND proposes a program that uses freed-up production capacity of automotive suppliers to achieve the climate protection goals in Germany.Read the position paper (in German). FIRST SPRIND CHALLENGE DAYS On June 27 and 28, the teams of the Challenge "A Quantum Shift for New Antiviral Agents" met in Leipzig. Technical presentations, discussions among each other and with experts ensured an inspired exchange. SPRIND GOES YOUTUBE: LIVESTREAM AT BREAKING LAB With Rafael Laguna de la Vera, Director of SPRIND, Science-YouTuber Jacob Beautemps pondered what actually makes for particularly innovative inventors. Heike Freund, COO of Marvel Fusion, explained how tangible the dream of nuclear fusion is, and together with Prof. Bernd Ulmann, an analog computer was wired up. STARTING SIGNAL FOR A CRISIS-PROOF REGENERATIVE WIND POWER SUPPLY The current situation suggests that strategic instruments for securing the energy supply of the country and the public administration should be extended to the areas of electricity and hydrogen. The SPRIND subsidiary GmbH Beventum offers possible solutions, from small wind turbines to high-altitude wind turbines. For the implementation, SPRIND has worked out three options so far. Read the position paper (in German). SPRIND CHALLENGE CARBON-TO-VALUE STARTS WITH FIVE TEAMS In order to limit the rise of average global temperature to two degrees Celsius, CO2 emissions in particular must be reduced. But that alone will not be enough: In addition, gigantic amounts of CO2 must be removed from the atmosphere again. To address this problem, the second SPRIND Challenge is now starting with five teams and possible solutions.Read the article. STARK-WATZINGER VISITS SPRIND IN LEIPZIG Federal Research Minister presents measures for the further development of the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger visited the SPRIND office on March 14 and presented measures on the further development of the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation. Read the text (in German.) THE ART OF SPRINDFLUENCING Of the more than 1,450 project proposals submitted to SPRIND so far, only nine percent were submitted by women. #SPRINDfluencers want to change that. Our SPRIND T-shirt alone won't be enough to change that. But it obviously sparks something. We are very excited about all the support we have received. Here you can see all the #SPRINDfluencers sharing their support . STATE PURCHASING POWER Innovation needs customers. The state must make greater use of its purchasing powers. Because society then benefits more than expected. FROM THE LAB TO THE FAB We are happy to see that the European Chips Act announced by the European Commission is in line with what SPRIND has found with stakeholders. Here is the summary of our multinational working group for a semiconductor strategy for the European Union. SOME BUSINESS ADVICE FOR ACADEMIC STARTUPS AND SPIN-OUTS Bert Hubert, geek, software entrepreneur and regulator of the Dutch secret services, shares his insight on marketing, sales and business development. "5 FOR TRANSFER" – INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA DIEHL Five questions, five answers. Barbara Diehl talks to FokusTransfer about the work of SPRIND, opportunities and challenges in transfer projects and lessons learned. Read the interview with Barbara Diehl on FokusTransfer (in German). NINE TEAMS SELECTED FOR THE FIRST SPRIND CHALLENGE ‘A QUANTUM SHIFT FOR NEW ANTIVIRAL AGENTS’ What are SPRIND Challenges all about? Why is the first SPRIND Challenge so crucial? And which teams will lead the way to a breakthrough in antiviral drug development? CHIP FACTORIES: PLEA FOR A CATCH-UP IN THE EUROPEAN SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY What makes semiconductor development so complex? Why does Europe need a technologically leading chip factory? And why is the factory alone still not enough? OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL Digitalizing education is just about video conferences and tablets? Just one misunderstanding that Verena Pausder clears up. An Interview. What have we learned in times of remote learning? Why should our schools become more digital? And how do we create a new diversity in politics?Read the interview with Verena Pausder (in German). SPRUNGINNOVATION: WIE WIR MIT WISSENSCHAFT UND TECHNIK DIE WELT WIEDER IN BALANCE BEKOMMEN Order now: The recently published book "Sprunginnovationen" by Rafael Laguna and Thomas Ramge is now available at Ullstein Buchverlag (book in German). "Bei Spunginnovationen geht es nicht darum immer weiter zu optimieren, sondern grundsätzlich zu erneuern. Eine Sprunginnovation verändert die Welt grundlegend. Wirtschaftliche Macht verschiebt sich. Radikal neue Technologie hat manchmal sogar die Kraft, politische Systeme zu Fall zu bringen und neue zu erschaffen. Wir brauchen Sprunginnovationen gegen den Klimawandel, Armut und die großen Krankheiten. “Sprunginnovation” ist ein technisch fundiertes, wirtschaftlich weitsichtiges und politisch optimistisches Buch. Es analysiert die Voraussetzungen für Sprunginnovationen und erzählt von vielen spannenden Menschen, die sie vorantreiben." The book is available since 22.09.2021 at Ullstein Buchverlag. Here you can order the book "Sprunginnovation" (in German). HELLO BIRGITTA WOLFF! How is unconcious bias hindering female founders? What fascinates you about the invention of the washing machine? And how can we shoot higher with German innovations? In a series of interviews, SPRIND talks to new thinkers from the world of of innovation, science and business. In conversation today.Read the article HELLO RONJA KEMMER! What was it like being the youngest female member of the Bundestag? How do we get young women excited about AI? And: How can we benefit from the second wave of digitalization in Germany? In a series of interviews, SPRIND talks to new thinkers from the world of of innovation, science and business. In conversation today.Read the article . IN CONVERSATION: AUDREY TANG & RAFAEL LAGUNA DE LA VERA SPRIND founding director Rafael Laguna talks to Audrey Tang: Free Software Programmer, Innovator & Taiwan's Digital Minister. A conversation about open source and hacktivism, the interplay between innovation and politics, and what Taiwan learned from the Corona crisis. "So while of course I am the digital minister of Taiwan, I’m also still a hacktivist, I’m kind of starting new ventures, too."To the video with Audrey Tang . HELLO NICOLE BÜTTNER! Why was the Fosbury Flop an innovation in the high jump? What exactly lies behind Deep Learning? And: Where are the founders? In a series of interviews, SPRIND talks to new thinkers from the world of of innovation, science and business.Read the article HELLO BARBARA DIEHL! What does an entrepreneurship educator do? What is disruption to women's suffrage? How can scientific innovation be translated in business models? CLOSING THE GAP This article provides recommendations for the creation and expansion of innovation financing in Germany and provides suggestions for closing existing gaps. Many of these topics are well-known; they are systematically aggregated here. SPRIND was founded last year as an agency owned by the Federal Republic of Germany and dedicated to locating and promoting disruptive innovations. SPRIND is financing projects that are not eligible for private-sector funding due to still-unforeseeable prospects for commercial exploitation. Go to article CLOSING THE GAP WELCOME INSIDE Who is Rafael Laguna? What makes him tick, what does he think, what does he want? Gain a picture of the founding director of SPRIND. (Article in German) "I would replace the 'German fear' gene with a courage gene. We have achieved so much in Germany and Europe in the last 75 years. 120 years ago, the physics and chemistry books were written in German. We invented entire industries and were the world’s pharmacy." Go to article WELCOME INSIDE
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