Humboldt Innovation

What Humboldt Innovation does

Humboldt-Innovation GmbH is the wholly-owned (100%) subsidiary and exclusive knowledge and technology transfer company of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, founded in 2005 and headquartered at Ziegelstraße 30 in Berlin-Mitte. The company operates as the official interface between the university and the business community, offering five integrated service lines: contract research administration (managing research projects and IP licensing via a dedicated patent database at patentplus-transfer.io), startup incubation and funding advisory (administering the Berliner Startup Stipendium of €2,000/month per team and the EXIST program, integrated with the Science & Startups joint network across HU, FU, and TU Berlin), professional event services (venue rental in historic university buildings plus full event management), continuing education through the Humboldt-Innovation Academy, and retail/e-commerce operations via the HumboldtStore and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin shop.

The organization serves a hybrid customer base consisting of internal Humboldt-Universität stakeholders (researchers, students, PhDs, postdocs, professors seeking to commercialize research), university-affiliated startup founders, external companies seeking contract research or technology licensing, organizations seeking continuing education, and event organizers. Since 2005, it has facilitated the founding of 706 companies (with the broader Science & Startups network supporting 2,000+ startups that have collectively raised €14.7 billion), managed 2,900 research projects, and secured €54 million in research funds. Direct revenue is generated through administrative fees on contract research, retail markup, event service fees, course fees for continuing education programs, and licensing royalties on university IP. A new Munich office opened in June 2025 in partnership with Start2 Group, extending geographic reach into Germany's deep tech ecosystem.

Operationally, the organization runs with a lean team of approximately 25-30 staff across Research Service, Startup Service, Event Service, Academy, Innovation Marketing, and Finance departments, under Managing Director Volker Hofmann (since 2014) and Deputy Managing Director Oliver Hasse. Distribution is primarily through direct consultation, the Science & Startups network channel, event-based engagement, and physical/online retail. No public revenue, funding rounds, or ownership interests beyond the parent Humboldt-Universität are disclosed; the entity functions structurally as a state-university-aligned commercial arm rather than a venture-backed business.

Name

Humboldt Innovation

Legal name

Humboldt-Innovation GmbH

Website

https://humboldt-innovation.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Humboldt-Innovation GmbH is the 100% technology transfer subsidiary of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, offering contract research administration, startup incubation, continuing education, event services, and HumboldtStore retail to researchers, founders, and industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Transfer Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Patent Owners & Lessors (6794), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Technology Transfer & Innovation-Driven Research Universities (High Commercialization) (EDAHABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC), Technology & Innovation Expos Organizers (THAHABAE)

Keywords

• University technology transfer
• Research commercialization services
• Startup incubation programs
• Continuing professional education
• University event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail and E-commerce (HumboldtStore & Museum Shop): Humboldt Innovation operates two physical retail stores (HumboldtStore in the main building of HU Berlin and a museum shop at Museum für Naturkunde Berlin) and corresponding e-commerce storefronts. These sell Humboldt-branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, books, toys, and science kits. Revenue is generated through product sales at retail markup. The HumboldtStore also offers a 10% discount to Humboldtians (students, alumni, staff).
2. Contract Research Services: Humboldt Innovation facilitates and manages contract research agreements between university researchers and external companies or public institutions. The organization handles contracting, project monitoring, and financial administration of research projects. Revenue is generated through administrative fees and service charges embedded in research contracts. Over 2,900 research projects and more than 2,500 successfully implemented projects are referenced.
3. Event Services: Humboldt Innovation offers professional event management for congresses, conferences, and meetings, including the provision of exclusive university venues (historic lecture theatres and buildings). Services span planning, organization, and implementation. Revenue is generated through service fees charged to event organizers.
4. Licensing and Commercialization of University IP: Humboldt Innovation markets and commercializes university resources and rights on behalf of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, including trademarks and archival materials. Commercialization occurs through licensing arrangements and the company's own business activities. The organization maintains a patent database providing innovative technologies and research findings for industry and society.
5. Academy (Continuing Education): The Humboldt-Innovation Academy offers practice-oriented training programs, impulse seminars, workshops, and executive education drawing on university researchers and industry experts. Formats include certificate programs, multi-day trainings on sustainability and rural development, campus tours, and educational trips to Berlin. Revenue is generated through course fees charged to participants or sponsoring organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Humboldt-Innovation GmbH is the knowledge and technology transfer company of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. As the university's 100% subsidiary, it connects science, business and society by providing services in applied research (contract research administration), science-based startup support (incubation, funding programs, mentoring), continuing professional education (Academy), event management (including exclusive university venue rental), and commercialization of university IP and trademarks (HumboldtStore, museum shop, patent licensing).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Service (Contract Research)
• Startup Service (Startup Incubation)
• Humboldt-Innovation Academy (Continuing Education)
• Event Service (Event Management & Venue Rental)
• HumboldtStore (Retail & E-commerce)
• Museums Shop (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin)
• Patent Licensing & IP Commercialization

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 706 companies founded with Humboldt-Innovation support
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• quantumReality GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and quantumReality GmbH (a Potsdam-based Science VC) entered into a €500,000 research contract in 2026 to develop digital twins for PEM and AWE electrolysis plants. This follows a successful pilot project in 2025. The collaboration focuses on AI-assisted electrochemical research conducted by Prof. Dr. Emil List-Kratochvil's 'Hybrid Devices' group at the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin (CSMB). The project aims to improve the service life, efficiency, and operating costs of electrolysis systems for green hydrogen production.
• IHK Berlin (Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHK Berlin is listed as a key partner in Humboldt Innovation's extensive partner network. The Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce supports the organization's mission to connect science and business.
• Berlin University Alliance (BUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Berlin University Alliance (BUA), a coalition of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité, is a key strategic partner. The BUA strengthens the startup ecosystem in AI, with federal funding of €6.85M for a four-year model project through Science & Startups.
• Humboldt-Tech BridgecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Humboldt-Tech Bridge (HTB) supports internationalization of HU startups, particularly market entry into China. The Bridge to China program provides mentorship, pitch contests, and market decoding services. Humboldt-Tech Bridge collaborates with InnoEU-Tech Bridge on international programs.
• Science & StartupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience & Startups is the joint startup network of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin. Since 2010, it has supported 2,000+ startups securing €14.7 billion in funding. The network operates focus areas including Health X Prevention, Technology X Resources, Sustainability X Society, xG-Incubator (quantum technology), greenChem, Berlin Leap (quantum), and K.I.E.Z. (AI & entrepreneurship). Humboldt Innovation is a core organizer.
• Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und TechnologiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin Partner is a key strategic partner supporting Humboldt Innovation's work in promoting Berlin as a deep-tech and startup hub. Berlin Partner and the Berlin Partner Science Network engage with HI's leadership (e.g., Volker Hofmann as Brain City Berlin Ambassador).
• Berlin Quantum PartnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin Quantum Partner is a network partner supporting quantum technology startups and research collaborations in the Berlin ecosystem. Listed alongside other key ecosystem partners in Humboldt Innovation's network.
• WISTA Management GmbH (Adlershof)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWISTA Management GmbH manages the Adlershof science, technology, and business park — Berlin's largest technology campus. The partnership provides Humboldt Innovation-supported startups with access to physical infrastructure, lab space, and the Adlershof startup ecosystem.
• Stiftung IndustrieforschungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStiftung Industrieforschung (Foundation for Industrial Research) co-organizes the annual Forum Junge Spitzenforschung science competition with Humboldt Innovation and provides prize money (€42,000 in 2025). The foundation supports young researchers translating basic research into industrial applications.
• INAM (Innovation Alliance for Advanced Materials)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINAM is a Berlin-based innovation network for advanced materials, listed as a partner in Humboldt Innovation's ecosystem. Oliver Hasse, Deputy Managing Director of Humboldt Innovation, also serves as Managing Director of INAM.
• Startup Unit (Berlin Senate)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Startup Unit is a Berlin Senate initiative supporting the startup ecosystem. Listed as a partner in Humboldt Innovation's network, supporting Berlin's position as a startup hub.
• Vereinigung der Unternehmensverbände in Berlin und Brandenburg (UVB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUVB (Association of Business Associations in Berlin and Brandenburg) is listed as a network partner, connecting Humboldt Innovation with the broader business community in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.
• German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA)minorOthersBAFA is referenced in Humboldt Innovation's export control context. The organization supports Humboldt Innovation's staff in application and reporting procedures related to export control regulations.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBUGEvbdhg70ZbV0FjuqUFg
• Facebookfacebook.com/22546360088783
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humboldt-innovation-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/humboldt_innovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Humboldt Innovation