Pioneering spirit and innovative strength – these have been the hallmarks of TU Darmstadt since it was founded in 1877. The university is now one of the top universities for start-ups in Germany. For over ten years, our university’s dedicated innovation and start-up centre, HIGHEST, has supported the establishment of more than 200 start-ups. These spin-offs by academics and students at TU Darmstadt are key pillars of xchange in business, society and politics.

HIGHEST – innovation and start-up centre

From research to market: The aim of HIGHEST is to support academics and start-up founders to develop market-ready products based on research outcomes and to build sustainable companies, or to build partnerships with business through the exploitation of IP. By working together with partner companies and building a strong innovation network, HIGHEST makes a significant contribution towards xchange at TU Darmstadt. As a leading tech incubator in the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main metropolitan region for Deep Tech/Green Tech, HIGHEST is one of the innovation drivers at TU Darmstadt.

With its comprehensive ecosystem and investments in accelerators such as ryon, TechQuartier, etc., HIGHEST supports innovators at TU Darmstadt to market high technology and new applications. As a bridge between academia, society and business, HIGHEST offers outstanding conditions for academics, students and investors – both inside and outside Germany – to transform the best ideas and research findings into solutions for the world of today and tomorrow.

HIGHEST website

The HIGHEST innovation and start-up centre has its own website. On the site, you’ll find more information about the wide range of services, advisory modules, network, events and options for companies.

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Advantages of HIGHEST

Services

HIGHEST not only teaches skills, it also offers constant support. A range of services are offered.

For companies

HIGHEST supports xchange with successful companies – and start-ups which would like to emulate them.

Contact

Get to know our team and find the appropriate personal contact person for your question or idea.

As a central hub for researchers and students, HIGHEST pools and coordinates start-up related activities for TU Darmstadt and the region. HIGHEST provides services for awareness, qualifications and advice that are aimed at students and researchers. HIGHEST also supports start-ups to secure funding and can facilitate resources (rooms and laboratories).

HIGHEST services

IP & start-up advice: clarity about the road ahead
IP & start-up advice: clarity about the road ahead
Funding advice – for start-ups and commercialisation
Funding advice – for start-ups and commercialisation
foundersXchange – networking event
foundersXchange – networking event
HIGHEST Experts Network
HIGHEST Experts Network
Our start-ups
Our start-ups
HIGHEST Club – innovation meets business
HIGHEST Club – innovation meets business
HIGHWAY innovation platform
HIGHWAY innovation platform
Darmstadt ecosystem
Darmstadt ecosystem

Harald Holzer,
HIGHEST Managing Director

Implementing innovations that improve our world – that’s what drives us every day. Our main aim is to create the best conditions for everyone involved and the entire ecosystem. Every successful start-up and each patent that makes products and services better brings us closer to this goal.

Harald Holzer im Gespräch mit Gründer:innen; Foto: Benjamin Schenk

Stay up-to-date: news and events

Newsroom

HIGHEST news at a glance.

Newsletter

Sign up to our HIGHEST newsletter and never miss out on the latest news.

Events

All HIGHEST dates and events at a glance.

Don’t miss out!

TU Ideas Competition

The ideas of the future start right here at TU Darmstadt: whether as research findings, brainstorming or as a random idea after a lecture. To hunt down these flashes of inspiration, we organise the TU Ideas Competition. The application phase for 2023 begins on 1 May and ends on 30 June 2023.

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Start-up & Innovation Day

At #Innoday2023 on 12 October, founder spirit and a thirst for innovation will mix with business, academia and politics. Various dialogue formats for discussion and networking will be offered, including a Speakers’ Corner, lounge and wide-ranging support programme.

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Picture: Fotostudio Hirch

HIGHEST team

We’re consultants, connectors and enablers. We’re partners you can trust. We bridge the gap between academia and business. From the early phase, to patents and spin-offs – we advise students, researchers and innovation-loving companies.

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