Fraunhofer Venture serves as the link between Fraunhofer’s research institutes and the commercial world. Founded in Munich in 1999, it operates as the central contact point for researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to turn scientific advances into market-ready businesses. The team guides founders through every stage, from concept validation to exit, offering internal grants, access to seed capital and introductions to industry collaborators and venture investors. Through initiatives such as the AHEAD development program and the Fraunhofer Investment Hub, it brings research projects out of the lab and into the start-up ecosystem, supporting applications from biomedical devices to digital manufacturing.
Investment efforts cover seed-stage projects through growth financing, focusing on high-technology sectors where applied research can have the greatest impact. Areas of interest include biotechnology, augmented reality, industrial automation, advanced materials and environmental solutions. Since 2019, the €60 million Tech Transfer Fund has backed nearly 40 spin-offs, while specialized teams connect each project with suitable venture capital partners. By using Fraunhofer’s extensive research network, the firm ensures that high-potential inventions receive both the financial backing and industry insights needed to scale successfully.
Clean energy and storage technologies represent a major area of investment. The portfolio features companies working on sustainable water treatment and flexible solar power systems, alongside dedicated battery ventures. Volterion develops vanadium redox flow systems for stationary applications, and the CERENERGY joint venture aims to build a 100 MWh plant for solid-state batteries with plans to expand to gigawatt-scale production. Other spin-offs like Subitec apply biotechnological processes to produce biofuels and related materials. These projects show Fraunhofer Venture’s focus on low-impact energy solutions that address environmental challenges.
