Business and Innovation Center Nordthuringen

What Business and Innovation Center Nordthuringen does

Business and Innovation Center Nordthüringen (BIC Nordthüringen GmbH) is a publicly-owned technology and startup center serving the North Thuringia region of Germany, wholly owned by the Kyffhäuserkreis district. Established in 1994 and operating from two physical sites in Sondershausen and Nordhausen, the center rents commercial space and delivers business development services to pre-founding entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, small and medium enterprises (KMU), and outside investors evaluating regional sites. Tenant logos span large industrial and staffing firms including WAGO Kontakttechnik, Adecco Personaldienstleistungen, Randstad Deutschland, makotel, and Barbarossa Plan Estrichbau.

The core product surface is a physical infrastructure bundle: functionally equipped offices with reception, elevator, parking, and security; a seminar area accommodating approximately 60 persons with AV equipment including projectors, an 82-inch monitor, flipcharts, and soundproof partitions; and workshop spaces of 44-61 sqm with 2.70 m ceiling heights, 6 kN/m² floor load capacity, exterior sectional doors, and 3x35A electrical connections. Pricing for these rental tiers is not publicly disclosed; quotes are issued on request. Complementing the real-estate core are programmatic services — the annual Grünungsideenwettbewerb Nordthüringen startup idea competition (prize pool €1,000 sponsored by Kyffhäusersparkasse and Kreissparkasse Nordhausen), monthly Netzwerktag consultation events, a recurring Workshop-Reihe for aspiring founders, and promotion of the TRIP accelerator run by partner STIFT.

Revenue is a mix of rental income (subscription/recurring) and publicly funded grant programs, with the Grünungsideenwettbewerb co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Free State of Thuringia. The center monetizes through community-led go-to-market: physical tenant relationships, founder competitions as a top-of-funnel source, and ongoing network events that channel entrepreneurs into partner institutions (KfW, Bürgschaftsbank Thüringen, Thüringer Aufbaubank, IHK, Handwerkskammer). Owning shareholder Kyffhäuserkreis and the broader ThEx (Thüringer Gründerzentren) network anchor both funding and customer acquisition.

Name

Business and Innovation Center Nordthuringen

Legal name

Business and Innovation Centre Nordthüringen GmbH

Website

https://bic-nordthueringen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BIC Nordthüringen is a Kyffhäuserkreis-owned technology and startup center in North Thuringia, Germany. It rents offices, seminar rooms, and workshop spaces to startups and SMEs, and delivers founder competitions, networking events, and business development consulting under ESF+ and state funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Incubation and Commercial Real Estate Services

akta.pro primary industry

Software Engineering & Application Modernization (BPAHAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup incubation services
• Office space rental
• Business development support
• Workshop and seminar facilities
• Entrepreneurship networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Nordhausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vermietung von Gewerbeflächen: Rental of office spaces, seminar rooms, and workshop spaces to startups, young companies, and established businesses. The center offers office rentals with telephone and internet connections, reception services, elevator access, free parking, and security monitoring. Seminar areas accommodate approximately 60 persons with full AV equipment including projector, flipcharts, 82-inch monitor, video technology, and soundproof partition walls. Workshop spaces range from 44 sqm to 61 sqm with standard and workshop-specific features.
2. Gründungsförderung und Wettbewerbe: Grant-funded startup support programs including the annual 'Gründungsideenwettbewerb Nordthüringen' competition, which is funded by the Free State of Thuringia and co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). While the competition is free for participants, the center receives public funding to operate these programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Business and Innovation Centre Nordthüringen GmbH is a technology and startup center that rents office, seminar, and workshop spaces to startups, SMEs, and established businesses at two locations in Sondershausen and Nordhausen. It provides economic development and startup support services including funding brokerage, business plan coaching, networking events, and an annual business idea competition. The center is publicly owned by the Kyffhäuserkreis district and integrated into the regional ThEx startup network.

Product overview

BIC Nordthüringen operates as a technology and startup center (Technologie- und Gründerzentrum) with European orientation, offering a coordinated portfolio of infrastructure rental services and business development support. The core offerings include office rental (Büroräume), seminar facilities (Seminarbereich), and workshop spaces (Werkstatträume) at its two locations (Sondershausen and Nordhausen). These are complemented by business development services (Wirtschaftsförderung) encompassing startup consulting, funding mediation, and skilled worker placement. The startup ecosystem is further supported through the Gründungsideenwettbewerb Nordthüringen annual competition, monthly Netzwerktag events, and a workshop series for aspiring entrepreneurs. BIC also facilitates access to the TRIP accelerator program through its partnership with STIFT.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Büroräume (Office Rental) Rental of office spaces at BIC Nordthüringen's Sondershausen location for startups, SMEs, and established businesses. Includes telephone and internet connectivity options, reception services, elevator access, free parking, and security monitoring. Pricing available on request via secretariat contact.
• Seminarbereich (Seminar Area) Seminar facility in Sondershausen accommodating approximately 60 persons, equipped with projector, flipcharts, internet access, 82-inch monitors, soundproof partitions, and video technology. Available for hire to businesses for events, meetings, and training.
• Werkstatträume (Workshop Spaces) Workshop spaces in Sondershausen with approximately 2.70m ceiling height, 44-61 sqm rental areas, exterior sectional doors, heating, media channels, and 3x35A electrical connections. Suitable for technical, manufacturing, or workshop-based businesses.
• Wirtschaftsförderung (Business Development Support) Economic development services for local companies and investors in the Kyffhäuser, Sondershausen, and Nordhausen regions. Includes commercial and industrial space listings, technology and startup consulting, skilled worker placement, employee qualification, training and vocational school information, public funding mediation, startup consulting, relocation assistance, and cooperation mediation.
• Gründungsideenwettbewerb Nordthüringen (Business Idea Competition) Annual startup idea competition for North Thuringia offering free participation, prize money, coaching, workshops, and networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Annual event with the 2027 competition launching January 15, 2027.
• Netzwerktag (Network Day) Monthly networking event held every second Tuesday from 09:00-16:00 at BIC Sondershausen, providing free consultation from experts from KfW, Bürgschaftsbank Thüringen, Thüringer Aufbaubank, IHK, Handwerkskammer, GFAW, Agentur für Arbeit, and other partner organizations. Aspiring entrepreneurs and startups can access expert advice on funding, financing, and business setup.
• Workshop-Reihe (Workshop Series) Workshop series 'Von der Idee zum Erfolg: Mach Dich selbständig – Mit Plan und Begleitung!' accompanying the startup idea competition, conducted by Dr. Kareen Schlangen and Cassandra Schlangen. Covers business model development, value creation, decision making, financing, investor relations, internationalization, target group analysis, acquisition, pitching, personal branding, and pitch training. Available online and in-person.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ThEx - Thüringer GründungszentrencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ThEx (Thuringian Startup Centers) is a network of startup centers across Thuringia that BIC Nordthüringen participates in. The network provides cross-regional startup support, access to resources, and organizes programs including the ThEx AWARD competition. BIC coordinates with ThEx for participant data management and cross-referrals.
• STIFT - Stiftung für Technologie, Innovation und Forschung ThüringencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020STIFT runs the TRIP (Thuringian Regional Innovation Program), an accelerator program that BIC Nordthüringen promotes and connects entrepreneurs to. TRIP provides 6-month accelerator programs with workshops, coaching, up to €4,500 in seed funding, and access to investor networks including the Investor Days Thüringen.
• KyffhäuserkreiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Kyffhäuserkreis is the sole shareholder of Business and Innovation Centre Nordthüringen GmbH. As the regional administrative district, Kyffhäuserkreis provides institutional support and public backing for the technology and startup center, ensuring regional commitment to economic development in North Thuringia.
• KfW MittelstandsbankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development bank that participates in the monthly Netzwerktag events, providing expert consultation on startup financing and funding programs for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region.
• Bürgschaftsbank ThüringencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuarantee bank of Thuringia that participates in Netzwerktag events, offering guarantee and surety services for startups and SMEs to access financing.
• Thüringer AufbaubankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThuringian development bank that participates in monthly Netzwerktag consultation events, providing information on state-backed financing programs for businesses.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer Erfurt (IHK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Industry and Commerce that participates in Netzwerktag events and serves on the expert jury for the Gründungsideenwettbewerb, providing evaluation of business ideas and startup consultation.
• Handwerkskammer ErfurtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Crafts that participates in Netzwerktag consultation events, providing specialized advice for craft and trade-related business ideas.
• GFAW - Gesellschaft für Arbeits- und WirtschaftsförderungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThuringian agency for labor and economic promotion that participates in monthly Netzwerktag events, offering employment and business development support.
• Agentur für Arbeit NordhausenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Employment Agency local office that participates in Netzwerktag events, providing labor market information and support for job seekers considering self-employment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mindspace: European coworking operator offering flexible office space and shared infrastructure to startups, scale-ups, and SMEs. Comparable to BIC Nordthüringen in the core activity of renting equipped workspace to early-stage and growth companies, though with a private, multi-city model rather than a publicly-funded regional one.
• The Factory Berlin: Berlin-based startup campus combining coworking, event programming, and partner-led programming for tech ventures. Comparable to BIC in the combined delivery of physical workspace plus community programming, although Factory Berlin operates at a larger scale and targets international tech ventures.

Broad incumbents

• WeWork: Global coworking and flexible-office incumbent serving startups through enterprises. Overlaps with BIC in providing equipped office and meeting space to early-stage tenants, but operates at vastly greater scale with standardized, transparent pricing and self-service onboarding.

Emerging players

• Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator operating industry-specific cohorts with workspace, mentoring, and investor access for early-stage startups. Comparable to BIC's accelerator-adjacent programming and its role as a regional pipeline builder feeding ventures into capital and partner networks.
• Hub:raum: Deutsche Telekom's startup accelerator and innovation program, supporting early-stage ventures with workspace, mentoring, and corporate partnerships. Comparable to BIC's accelerator-referral role (e.g., TRIP) and its competition/workshop programming aimed at the same startup cohort.
• Wayra Deutschland: Telefónica's German startup accelerator offering mentorship, infrastructure, and capital to early-stage ventures. Comparable to BIC in delivering structured startup-support programming alongside workspace access, though Wayra is corporate-funded and venture-stage focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100090174564681
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thüringer-gründungszentren/about/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/thueringer_gruendungszentren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Business and Innovation Center Nordthuringen