10 June 2026

Universities as drivers of innovation, talent retention and future economic development

On 5 June 2026, Thuringia's Minister of Education, Science and Culture, Christian Tischner, symbolically hands over the funding decision to the Thuringian university start-up network StarTH at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Prof Dr Andreas Marx, President of Friedrich Schiller University Jena and member of the advisory board of the StarTH university start-up network, will receive the notification. Together, the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (TMBWK) and the eight participating universities are thus setting an example for innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and future prospects in Thuringia.

The funding will further strengthen the role of Thuringia's universities as drivers of innovation. Universities are the central locations for knowledge-based start-ups, where research, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit come together. This creates new prospects for young talent and innovative companies in Thuringia.

„Those who study, research and found companies in Thuringia create innovations where they can have an immediate impact. University spin-offs not only strengthen the economy, but also Thuringia's attractiveness as a place to live and work in the future,“ emphasises Prof. Dr Andreas Marx.

Universities as places of innovation and future skills

With the StarTH network, Thuringia's universities are working together to anchor entrepreneurial teaching, transfer and start-up support in the university landscape in the long term. The aim is to support students, researchers and graduates at an early stage in developing ideas and turning innovative projects into social or commercial applications.

„Today more than ever, universities are combining research and teaching with transfer, innovation and social responsibility. Supporting start-ups is not an add-on, but part of a modern understanding of universities that actively transfers scientific knowledge to society and the economy,“ continued Prof Marx.

University incubators and start-up centres in particular are developing into practical learning and experimentation spaces in which innovative ideas can be tested, prototypes developed and interdisciplinary collaborations established.

Promoting start-ups as a future task for Thuringia

With a view to securing skilled labour, demographic change and international competition for talent, the promotion of academic spin-offs is becoming increasingly strategically important. University start-ups create skilled jobs, strengthen regional value creation and increase the loyalty of young skilled workers to Thuringia.

Thuringia's universities therefore see the long-term safeguarding of existing start-up and transfer structures as a crucial task for the future. Over the past few years, university-related support services have been established, which today provide many people interested in starting a business with access to advice, networks and funding programmes.

Programmes such as EXIST-Women or formats in the field of creative entrepreneurship also show that start-up funding can also make an important contribution to equal opportunities, diversity and social participation.

StarTH connects Thuringian universities

The Thuringian university start-up network StarTH connects the start-up advice centres of the Thuringian universities and creates a joint platform for students, academics and graduates interested in starting a business. The participating universities pool their expertise to provide comprehensive support to those interested in starting a business, from the initial idea to its realisation.

The StarTH network includes

• University of Applied Sciences Erfurt
• University of Erfurt
• Ilmenau University of Technology
• Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
• Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
• Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
• Bauhaus University Weimar

The close cooperation between the universities gives founders access to interdisciplinary expertise, innovative research facilities and a strong network of science, business, culture and society.

The university start-up network StarTH is part of the Thuringian Start-up Initiative (ThGI) and is funded by the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.

Schedule of the event on 5 June 2026, 14:00 Friedrich Schiller University Jena

• Welcome by Prof Dr Andreas Marx
• Contribution by Minister Christian Tischner
• Presentation of the StarTH network by coordinator Matthias Piontek
• Joint photo at the symbolic handover of the funding decision
• Tour of selected start-up projects on site
• Conclusion and farewell

Place/Address:           

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Main university building

Fürstengraben 1

07743 Jena

Organisational contact person:

Matthias Piontek (StarTH / FSU)



03641 – 9402121