Suche
Mein Konto
Nuremberg Zoho Factory: Bavaria's only startup innovation honored!
Erlangen is investing in the Zoho Factory, a startup factory, to strengthen Northern Bavaria as a center for DeepTech and innovation.
Nuremberg Zoho Factory: Bavaria's only startup innovation honored!
A lot is happening in the world of start-ups in Bavaria - and especially in Nuremberg. The Zollhof – Tech Incubator was awarded as part of the BMWE’s “Exist Lighthouse Startup Factories Competition” and is the only project from Bavaria to be able to look forward to this prestigious award. Federal Minister Katherina Reiche (CSU) presented the award, which aims to take German business start-ups to the next level. The Zoho Factory is intended to further stimulate the startup ecosystem in Germany.
With a dedicated team of over 20 entrepreneurs and investors from northern Bavaria, including well-known names such as Daniel Krauss and Albert Wenger, the Zoho Factory has already raised 20 million euros in private capital. But that's not all: she will receive up to 10 million euros in federal funding for the next five years. In order to increase the quality and number of knowledge-based spin-offs, a targeted support offer is provided.
Strong partners and collaborations
Over the years, Zollhof has established itself as an important part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region and is one of the fastest-growing startup hubs in Germany. Over 100 start-ups have been supported since they were founded in 2017, with an impressive 70% of these start-ups achieving sustained success. In order to make the best possible use of the advantages of the Zoho Factory, we cooperate with renowned universities such as the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, where the “Factory Labs” are set up. Other partners include the universities in Würzburg, Bayreuth and the Coburg University of Applied Sciences, and locations in Paris and Madrid are also planned.
Bavaria is well on its way to becoming a leading location for technology-driven spin-offs. Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) reiterates the importance of the region as a start-up country and the ongoing investments in research and technology. Over the next five years, Zoho Factory hopes to establish itself as one of the best startup hubs in Europe, particularly with a focus on DeepTech innovation.
New initiatives to promote start-ups
The Free State of Bavaria plans to massively expand its commitment to startup financing over the next ten years. From 2025, a new fund worth one billion euros will be launched as part of the VC4Start-ups initiative. This fund opens up new opportunities for companies: start-up financing amounts to 50 million euros per start-up, regardless of the phase. Overall, incentives are to be created to reach over 400 companies and, together with private investors, to mobilize investments totaling seven billion euros.
A highlight of the new approach is the so-called super risk capital fund with a planned volume of 600 million euros, which is aimed at start-ups in the growth and scale-up phase. This is particularly relevant as the financing situation for start-ups has become more difficult in the last two years due to global events such as the Ukraine war and the interest rate turnaround.
A lot is happening in Bavaria - the Zoho Factory and the Zollhof are setting standards and showing that there is a good knack for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit here. The future of starting a green business in Bavaria couldn't be brighter.