What BioRegion Stern does

BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is a publicly-funded economic development and cluster management organization for the life sciences sector in the Stuttgart and Neckar-Alb regions of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 2001 and headquartered at Friedrichstraße 10, Stuttgart, the GmbH operates a core team of approximately 14 staff under Managing Director Dr. Klaus Eichenberg (in role since 2004), supplemented by external PR and an expanding project-management roster.

Its service portfolio spans free technology transfer consulting, the annual Science2Start ideas competition (now in its 17th round, credited with 53 company formations and 80 supported startups creating over 3,000 jobs), EU and ZIM-funded project execution (9 active projects including AIM, MEDI4Future, NAMWISE, RehAllianCE, STEP4NAMs, SustainMed 2.0, SynergyHub4Health, plus the biohymed and smart analytics ZIM networks), lab and office space brokerage, funding advisory, an interactive company database of 400+ regional stakeholders, and event programming (Sommerempfang, Einschnitte-Einblicke workshops, Viewpoint Medtech). The company does not develop proprietary technology products; its deliverables are network orchestration, matchmaking and project management.

Customers are life sciences startups, SMEs, research institutions (Universities of Tübingen, Stuttgart, Hohenheim; Fraunhofer, Max Planck, NMI), and engineering SMEs seeking cross-industry collaboration. Revenue mechanics: all services are provided free of charge to clients, with the organization's income derived from public grants (18.6%), shareholder contributions (37.4%), institutional funding (32.4%) and operating revenue (11.6%) per the 2023 financial statements. Shareholders comprise four public bodies — Neckar-Alb Regional Planning and Development Agency, Reutlingen Town, Tübingen City, and Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS) — making this a government-mandated cluster body rather than a venture-backed or revenue-generating private entity.

Name

BioRegion Stern

Legal name

BioRegio STERN Management GmbH

Website

https://bioregio-stern.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is a publicly-funded economic development and cluster management organization for the life sciences sector in the Stuttgart and Neckar-Alb regions of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, providing free technology transfer services, the Science2Start ideas competition, and EU/ZIM project orchestration to startups, SMEs and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology Cluster Management / Life Sciences Economic Development Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Life Sciences & Biotechnology Congresses (THAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

Keywords

• Biotechnology cluster management
• Life sciences technology transfer
• Startup incubation services
• Innovation network facilitation
• Regional economic development

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding and Grants: BioRegio STERN operates as a publicly-funded economic development body. Revenue is derived from public grants (18.6%), shareholder contributions (37.4%), institutional funding (32.4%), and operating revenue (11.6%) based on 2023 financial statements. All services are offered free of charge to clients (startups, SMEs, researchers).
2. Project-Based EU and ZIM Funding: Multiple EU-funded projects (e.g., STEP4NAMs, SustainMed 2.0, SynergyHub4Health, NAMWISE) and ZIM innovation networks (biohymed, smart analytics) provide dedicated project funding managed by BioRegio STERN. Funding supports cluster activities and technology transfer services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BioRegion Stern is a regional economic development and cluster management organization for the life sciences sector in Stuttgart and Neckar-Alb. It provides free technology transfer consulting, cooperation partner identification, the Science2Start ideas competition, lab/office space brokerage, funding advisory, and coordinates EU- and ZIM-funded innovation projects. Services are delivered directly to startups, SMEs, and research institutions through personal outreach, network facilitation, and events.

Product overview

BioRegion STERN Management GmbH is a life sciences cluster management and economic development organization (not a product company) offering a suite of services including the Science2Start ideas competition, technology transfer facilitation, startup support, lab/office space brokerage, and networking services. The organization coordinates multiple EU and ZIM-funded projects (AIM, MEDI4Future, NAMWISE, RehAllianCE, STEP4NAMs, SustainMed 2.0, SynergyHub4Health) and organizes events (Einschnitte - Einblicke, Standpunkt Medtech, Sommerempfang). The portfolio includes a company database/map, job portal, and RSS news feeds for the regional Life Sciences ecosystem covering Stuttgart and Neckar-Alb.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Science2Start: Annual ideas competition supporting scientists and founders in the BioRegion STERN with life sciences ideas that have economic potential. Winners receive prize money and business coaching.
• Science2Start-Ideenwettbewerb
• AIM
• MEDI4Future
• NAMWISE
• RehAllianCE
• STEP4NAMs
• SustainMed 2.0
• SynergyHub4Health

Products and services

• Science2Start Ideas Competition Annual ideas competition for scientists and founders in the BioRegion STERN to identify life sciences ideas with economic potential. Winners receive prize money and five hours of free initial legal consultation from sponsoring law firm VOELKER & Partner.
• Technology Transfer Services Free technology transfer services that identify the potential of founders and SMEs, initiate cross-sector technology transfer, and facilitate cooperation in the healthcare economy. Includes personalized matchmaking for cooperation partners, consulting on funding, PR, marketing, and IP rights.
• Founder Support Services (Für Gründer) Comprehensive support package for founders including the Science2Start competition, funding opportunities, special events, office and laboratory space brokerage, and press services. Targeted at scientists and entrepreneurs starting life sciences ventures.
• Lab and Office Space Brokerage Free brokerage service for laboratory and office spaces within the BioRegion STERN region for startups and SMEs in life sciences.
• Funding and Financing Advisory Overview of current funding and financing opportunities in the Life Sciences sector with individual consultation available for founders and SMEs.
• Company and Institute Database (Network Map) Interactive map and database of companies, research institutions, and consulting services in the BioRegion STERN with detailed company profiles, categorized into Biotechnology, Medical Technology, Engineering, and Digital Health/IT.
• AIM — Industry-in-Clinic Platform (MedTech) Industry-in-clinic platform providing space for innovation in the medical device sector through clinic-near development, practice-oriented testing, and close cooperation with medical experts.
• MEDI4Future — Circular MedTech Project Project focusing on reuse of raw materials in the MedTech sector, waste reduction, and promotion of sustainable practices. Develops a strategy and measures for a sustainable future in the MedTech sector.
• RehAllianCE — Rehabilitation Technology Project Helps SMEs in the MedTech sector improve competitiveness by facilitating access to research and innovations in new rehabilitation technologies, improving quality of life in Central Europe.
• SynergyHub4Health — Cross-BioRegion Healthcare Collaboration Platform Innovative platform that bundles competencies from different bioregions, promotes cross-sector collaboration, and drives exchange of new, practice-oriented solutions for the healthcare sector.
• ZIM Network biohymed — Biohybrid Products Cooperation network under the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), promoting development of biohybrid products and processes. Honored as ZIM Network of the Year in 2024.
• ZIM Network smart analytics — Healthcare Analytics Cooperation network under the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) of the BMWK, promoting development of innovative analytical methods and applications in healthcare.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 jobs created by companies founded with BioRegio STERN support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TTM-BW (Technologietransfermanagerinnen Baden-Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025BioRegio STERN is an active member of the TTM-BW network, which promotes technology transfer between companies and between companies and research institutions across Baden-Württemberg. The partnership is co-funded by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing of Baden-Württemberg from EFRE funds.
• TTN RS (Technologie-Transfer-Netzwerk Region Stuttgart)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Technology Transfer Network Region Stuttgart for extended technology transfer services and cross-regional cooperation partner identification.
• Medical Valley Hechingen e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 'Viewpoint Medtech' event series, bringing together experts from the medical technology industry for interactive discussions on market data, trends, and competitive analysis.
• Verein zur Förderung der Biotechnologie und Medizintechnik e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation for the Promotion of Biotechnology and Medical Technology. Co-organizer of the annual Summer Reception event alongside BioRegio STERN and TTR GmbH.
• Technologiepark Tübingen-Reutlingen (TTR) GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTTR GmbH co-hosts the annual Summer Reception with BioRegio STERN and the Biotechnology/Medical Technology Association. The TTR technology park is the primary venue for Science2Start award ceremonies.
• VOELKER & Partner Rechtsanwälte mbBcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm provides five hours of free initial legal consultation to each of the three Science2Start competition winners annually. Sponsors prize money totaling €4,500 per year.
• Wittenstein StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWittenstein Foundation sponsors the Biointelligence Award, promoting innovation at the interface of life sciences, engineering, and information technology. BioRegio STERN promotes and manages the award.
• Medical Innovations Incubator GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the 4C Accelerator, a specialized acceleration program for MedTech startups in which BioRegio STERN promotes participation among its network.
• Zeeb Kommunikation Public Relations GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal PR agency providing ongoing communications support to BioRegio STERN, including press release writing, concept development, and text creation. Anja Pätzold, M.A. serves as PR support from this firm since April 2004.
• NMI Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut an der Universität TübingenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMI is a key research partner in the BioRegion STERN, located in Reutlingen. Multiple Science2Start winners have originated from NMI. Hosts companies and supports technology transfer activities.
• EU STEP4NAMs ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioRegio STERN is lead partner in the EU-funded STEP4NAMs project (Step up the use of New Approach Methodologies for animal-free testing in Biopharma and MedTech), involving multiple European partners for validation of alternative testing methods.
• EU NAMWISE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean NAMWISE (New Approach Methodologies Within Integrated Safety & Efficacy evaluation) project where BioRegio STERN serves as the German partner, promoting NAMs integration for chemical and pharmaceutical evaluation.
• EU SustainMed 2.0 ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollow-up funding project developing waste and resource management strategies for medical products and procedures to minimize single-use materials and optimize recycling in the healthcare sector.
• EU SynergyHub4HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn innovative platform that bundles competencies from various bioregions, promotes intersectoral collaboration, and drives exchange of new, practice-oriented solutions for the healthcare sector.
• Interreg NWE Boost4HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Margot Jehle serves as project manager for the Interreg NWE project Boost4Health, launched in April 2016, supporting and promoting the economic development of regional and transnational SMEs.
• BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide healthcare and biotechnology industry organization. BioRegio STERN team members previously worked at BIOPRO, contributing to collaborative projects and industry networking.
• Patentcoach BWminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCoaching program on industrial property rights offered to BioRegio STERN clients, providing guidance on patent strategy and intellectual property management.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BioRegioSTERN
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bioregiostern
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bioregio-stern-mangement-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about BioRegion Stern