Bochumer Institut für Technologie

What Bochumer Institut für Technologie does

Bochumer Institut für Technologie gGmbH (BO-I-T) is a non-profit research and development institute headquartered at Viktoriastraße 10 in Bochum, Germany, established in 2017. It operates at the intersection of academic research and applied Data Science/AI, serving primarily small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), public-sector actors, and research consortia in the Ruhr region and North Rhine-Westphalia. BO-I-T is jointly owned by three Bochum universities (Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hochschule Bochum, and Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola) and Wirtschaftsförderung Bochum GmbH, with an advisory board that includes representatives from B. Braun Melsungen AG, G DATA CyberDefense AG, Grönemeyer Gruppe, opta data Gruppe, VISUS Health IT GmbH, and KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH.

The institute's core offering combines Innovation Management (funding strategy, project structuring, consortium building, grant application) with a Data Science Lab delivering ML model development, computer vision, mathematical optimization (CP-SAT/OR), predictive maintenance, and AI prototyping across modalities including text, image, video, audio, structured data, code, and multimodal sensor fusion. Notable proprietary deliverables include the KI-Förderscout (an LLM-based funding-program search system co-developed with Wirtschaftsförderung Bochum), twelve implementation-ready Defense & Dual-Use AI project blueprints covering condition monitoring, perimeter protection, computer vision quality inspection, and multi-sensor fusion, and the AutoMorph computer-vision platform for pharmaceutical particle characterization.

The revenue model rests on three streams: publicly funded R&D project revenue (ZIM, IGF, mFUND, BMBF, BMWK, EFRE/NRW programs such as KAINE, humAIne, KI-FIT), consulting and contract R&D work priced on a 'minimal fixed fee + fair success share' basis, and funding advisory services. Lead generation is driven by free KI-Potenzialcheck and Fördermittel-Check assessments, direct outreach led by managing director Jan Treffon, and the annual #DSRuhrgebiet Data Science Congress (200+ attendees, 6th edition in May 2025). The institute has executed more than 20 collaborative research projects across manufacturing, healthcare, environment, mobility, and defense, with consortium partners including Fraunhofer ISST, Fraunhofer FHR, Deutscher Wetterdienst, Erftverband, MedEcon Ruhr, and the HUMAINE transfer hub.

Name

Bochumer Institut für Technologie

Legal name

Bochumer Institut für Technologie gGmbH

Website

https://bo-i-t.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bochumer Institut für Technologie gGmbH is a non-profit German R&D institute jointly owned by three Bochum universities and Wirtschaftsförderung Bochum, delivering applied Data Science, AI, and public funding advisory to SMEs, public-sector clients, and research consortia in the Ruhr region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied AI Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAHAC

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

Keywords

• Applied AI research
• Data science consulting
• Public funding advisory
• Technology transfer services
• Innovation management consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Bochum

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded R&D Project Revenue: BO-I-T's primary revenue driver is the initiation, coordination, and execution of publicly funded research and development projects. These include ZIM (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand), IGF (Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung), mFUND, BMBF-funded projects (KAINE, humAIne, KI-FIT), BMWK-funded ZIM networks, EFRE/NRW-funded projects, and state-level innovation competitions (INDUSTRIE.IN.NRW, NEXT.IN.NRW, Energie.IN.NRW). BO-I-T acts as consortium leader or research partner, securing grants that fund its own personnel and operations.
2. Consulting & R&D Contract Work: BO-I-T conducts paid Data Science assessments, ML model development, and software prototyping engagements for corporate and public clients. Revenue is generated through project fees, with a model described as 'minimal fixed fee + fair success share.'
3. Fördermittelberatung (Funding Advisory): BO-I-T provides free initial funding checks and paid advisory services for companies seeking to identify and apply for public innovation funding (ZIM, FZulG, IGF, regional NRW programs). Revenue comes from consulting fees, typically structured with a minimal fixed component and a success-based portion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BO-I-T is a non-profit research and development institute that conducts applied AI and data science R&D projects for SMEs and public-sector clients, builds ML prototypes and production-ready software tools, and provides public funding advisory and innovation management services. It combines a Data Science Lab with strategic innovation/funding consultancy under a single non-profit (gGmbH) entity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KI-Förderscout
• humAIne KI-Demonstrator
• 2nd-Life ZIM-Innovationsnetzwerk
• AutoMorph
• KI-Toolentwicklung (AI Tool Development)
• Modellentwicklung & Training (Model Development & Training)
• Computer Vision Dienstleistungen
• Datenanalyse (Data Analysis)
• Use-Case- und Datencheck
• Prototyp → Pilot → Integration
• Fördermittel-Screening
• Fördermittelberatung (Funding Advisory)
• Innovationsberatung (Innovation Consulting)
• Strategische Beratung (Strategic Consulting)
• Umsetzungsbegleitung (Implementation Support)
• KI-Potenzialcheck (AI Potential Check)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 participants at the 6th #DSRuhrgebiet Data Science Congress (May 2025), demonstrating strong regional brand recognition and ecosystem leadership.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability18 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fraunhofer FHRcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2025Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (FHR) collaborates with BO-I-T on the AFARA project (adaptive non-destructive testing of fiber composite materials using AI-supported radar). FHR contributes radar algorithm expertise.
• Industrial Analytics Lab GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2024Industrial Analytics Lab GmbH (IAL, based in the Ruhr area) collaborates with BO-I-T on multiple R&D projects: AutoMorph (pharmaceutical particle characterization using AI image analytics) and PAULA (AI-based production and batch scheduling for heat treatment companies). IAL provides industrial analytics expertise.
• Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022The German Meteorological Service (DWD) collaborates with BO-I-T on the heavyRAIN project (AI-based heavy rain early detection using IoT sensors and remote sensing), providing meteorological data and expertise.
• ErftverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Erftverband is a water management authority in NRW. BO-I-T collaborates with Erftverband on INTENT (smart water monitoring using electrical conductivity) and RIVERCAST (AI-supported flood prediction and management for the Erft catchment area).
• Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Multiple Chairs: IAW, INI, IKA, ISSE, WiPsy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2021BO-I-T collaborates with multiple RUB institutes on the humAIne BMBF project: Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft (IAW), Institut für Neuroinformatik (INI), Institut für Kommunikationsakustik (IKA), Industrial Sales and Service Engineering (ISSE), and Lehrstuhl Wirtschaftspsychologie (WiPsy). These collaborations cover AI demonstrators for human-centered work, speech recognition, and organizational AI implementation.
• Fraunhofer ISSTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2021Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST participates in the Data4Health.Ruhr HOTSPOT project with BO-I-T, contributing technical infrastructure expertise for the social medicine data federation platform.
• MedEcon RuhrcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2021MedEcon Ruhr is a healthcare industry network in the Ruhr region. BO-I-T collaborates with MedEcon on the Data4Health.Ruhr HOTSPOT project and humAIne, bridging healthcare data infrastructure and AI applications in the regional health economy.
• Hochschule für Gesundheit (hsg Bochum)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2021BO-I-T collaborates with Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences for Health) in the humAIne project on human-centered AI in healthcare work contexts.
• SEEPEX GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2021SEEPEX GmbH (Bochum-based pump manufacturer) participates in the humAIne project as an industry partner applying human-centered AI methods in its own production and service operations.
• NRW.BANKcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBO-I-T is an official 'Innovationspartner' (innovation partner) of NRW.BANK in the Metropole Ruhr region. NRW.BANK refers companies seeking innovation support to BO-I-T, and BO-I-T in turn guides clients through NRW.BANK's funding programs. This is a formal regional innovation partnership under the state development bank's partner network.
• HUMAINE Network e.V.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBO-I-T is a member of the HUMAINE Network e.V., a transfer hub for human-centered AI work in the Metropole Ruhr. BO-I-T actively participates in HUMAINE's activities, develops AI demonstrators within the network (e.g., KI-FIT as a HUMAINE satellite project), and benefits from cross-member collaboration and referrals.
• EurobitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEurobits is a technology/business network in the Bochum region. BO-I-T's membership provides access to the regional technology ecosystem, potential client referrals, and collaborative opportunities with other regional tech companies and research institutions.
• GCBO (GründerCenter Bochum)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBO-I-T is listed as a partner of GCBO (GründerCenter Bochum), indicating a collaborative relationship supporting startup and entrepreneurship activities in the Bochum region.
• KI-Verband (German AI Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBO-I-T is listed as a member of the KI-Verband's community research network, providing visibility and credibility within Germany's AI industry association and access to AI policy discussions and industry peers.
• DefenseTechInkubator.NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBO-I-T is listed as a supporter (Unterstützer) of the DefenseTechInkubator.NRW, which is the first defense technology incubator in North Rhine-Westphalia. BO-I-T provides research expertise to the incubator's startups and spin-offs developing Dual-Use and DefenseTech solutions, contributing to the ecosystem as a research partner.
• Ruhr-Universität BochumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuhr-Universität Bochum is one of BO-I-T's four founding shareholders and the largest university in the region (41,000+ students, 5,500 employees, 130 countries). BO-I-T is part of the WORLDFACTORY transfer and founder concept initiated by RUB. RUB provides research talent, academic infrastructure, and project partners. Multiple BO-I-T projects involve RUB chairs (e.g., Lehrstuhl für Elektronische Schaltungstechnik, Lehrstuhl für Produktionssysteme).
• Hochschule BochumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHochschule Bochum (University of Applied Sciences for Technology, Economics, and Health) is one of BO-I-T's four founding shareholders. As a Fachhochschule, it provides practice-oriented research capabilities and student talent, particularly in engineering and technology domains.
• Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTHGA is one of BO-I-T's four founding shareholders. Founded in 1816, THGA is a practice-oriented engineering university. BO-I-T collaborates with THGA on R&D projects (e.g., Autowerkstatt 4.0, Drittmittelbeschaffung training series) and benefits from THGA's engineering and raw materials expertise.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Bochum GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWirtschaftsförderung Bochum GmbH (100% subsidiary of the city of Bochum) is both a founding shareholder and the initiator of BO-I-T. BO-I-T is physically located in the Wirtschaftsförderung building. There is a very close operational collaboration, with Wirtschaftsförderung referring companies to BO-I-T and co-developing projects such as the KI-Förderscout.
• B. Braun Melsungen AGminorOthersB. Braun Melsungen AG is a member of BO-I-T's Advisory Board (Beirat). B. Braun is a leading manufacturer of medical technology and pharmaceutical products and services globally, with a presence in Bochum (Aesculap Akademie on the Gesundheitscampus). The advisory board role provides strategic guidance to BO-I-T.
• G DATA CyberDefense AGminorOthersG DATA CyberDefense AG, founded in 1985 in Bochum, is one of Germany's leading antivirus and internet security providers. It serves as an advisory board member to BO-I-T, contributing cybersecurity expertise and industry perspective.
• Grönemeyer GruppeminorOthersThe Grönemeyer Gruppe offers innovative medical care from the Ruhr area through the Grönemeyer Institute for Micromedicine and other service facilities. Serves as an advisory board member to BO-I-T.
• opta data GruppeminorOthersopta data Gruppe is a family-owned company headquartered in Essen and a leading service provider for healthcare service providers in Germany. Serves as an advisory board member to BO-I-T.
• VISUS Health IT GmbHminorOthersVISUS Health IT GmbH is a Bochum-based company providing software solutions and services for radiological practices and clinics. It serves as an advisory board member to BO-I-T and is also a project partner in DIGIT (health IT network) and humAIne.
• KROHNE Messtechnik GmbHminorOthersKROHNE Messtechnik GmbH (Duisburg) provides products and services for industrial companies worldwide. Its subsidiary KROHNE Innovation GmbH is based in Bochum with R&D responsibilities. Serves as an advisory board member to BO-I-T.
• Cyber Innovation Hub der Bundeswehr (BMVG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBO-I-T references the Cyber Innovation Hub of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVG) as a reference point for Dual-Use defense technology collaboration, noting that quickly implementable Dual-Use solutions are explicitly desired at the federal level.
• Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid (KIMW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIMW is the lead partner of the ZIM Innovation Networks 'H2-Konkret' (hydrogen applications in plastics technology) and '2nd-Life' (circular economy in plastics), in which BO-I-T participates as a Data Science partner providing circularity scoring, recyclate quality prediction, and data-driven process monitoring.
• KAIROS GmbH (an IQVIA business)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAIROS GmbH (a subsidiary of IQVIA) participates in the DIGIT network (digital health IT innovations) together with BO-I-T, contributing healthcare data analytics and pharma industry expertise.
• tracekey solutions GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partnertracekey solutions GmbH participates in the DIGIT network alongside BO-I-T, contributing digital compliance and traceability expertise relevant to health IT applications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DFKI (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence): Germany's leading applied AI research center with strong industry-transfer focus across NLP, computer vision, and manufacturing AI. DFKI competes directly for BMBF and EU project funding and serves similar SME and public-sector clients, but at national scale with 1,000+ employees versus BO-I-T's 1-10.
• VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH: Project management and consulting company specialized in publicly funded R&D programs, innovation policy, and technology transfer in Germany and Europe. Highly comparable to BO-I-T's funding-advisory + consortium-leadership capabilities, particularly for BMBF and EU framework programs.
• Steinbeis Foundation: Non-profit foundation operating 200+ Steinbeis Centers for technology and knowledge transfer between universities and SMEs in Germany. Steinbeis uses the same university-to-business transfer model as BO-I-T, including publicly funded project coordination, but with national geographic coverage and a broader service portfolio.
• RIF Institut für Forschung und Transfer e.V. Dortmund-based research and transfer institute operating in NRW with publicly funded R&D projects bridging universities and SMEs. Operates a similar regional SME-focused consortium model in close geographic proximity to BO-I-T, competing for some of the same NRW.BANK and EFRE-funded work.
• Hasso-Plattner-Institut (HPI): University-affiliated institute at University of Potsdam focused on digital engineering, AI/ML, and IT systems engineering with active industry collaboration and transfer programs. Overlaps with BO-I-T on data science and AI consulting for SMEs and public-sector clients, with stronger academic branding and larger faculty base.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research organization with 76 institutes, including IAIS (AI), IOSB-AST (defense/industrial AI), and others performing publicly funded R&D transfer to industry. Fraunhofer offers overlapping capabilities in ML, computer vision, and predictive maintenance but at vastly greater scale and with national rather than regional reach.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center): Germany's national aerospace and defense research center with extensive publicly funded R&D portfolio including AI, robotics, and dual-use applications. DLR's transfer activities and SME-facing programs compete with BO-I-T for federal funding, though at a different scale and with much broader technical mandate.
• Cyber Innovation Hub der Bundeswehr: Innovation arm of the German Federal Ministry of Defence that identifies and scales Dual-Use and defense-relevant technology solutions. BO-I-T already references CIHB as a partner for defense/dual-use engagement; both are positioned to capture Bundeswehr AI and Dual-Use procurement opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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