FAQ

KIT FORGE is the central platform for entrepreneurship at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). We aim to make research impactful – Science for Impact – and support students, researchers, and aspiring founders in recognizing the potential of their ideas and trying things out step by step. We accompany students, researchers, and startups from the initial idea to a successful spinoff. Find out more about us here.

KIT FORGE brings together the previous offerings of KIT-Gründerschmiede and maKeIT under one roof. All services, contact persons, and formats will remain in place, now simply combined under a single brand. You can find out more here.

We offer consultations, workshops, events, access to funding, and a strong network. From initial consultations and funding advice to investor connections, we accompany you every step of the way. Where we cannot assist directly, we refer you to our partners. You can find all services here.

That is exactly what we are here for – accessible and with no prior knowledge required. Simply drop by one of our open formats or events, or book a free initial consultation.

In principle, we support all types of entrepreneurial thinking and acting. In the early stages, we help identify and shape opportunities for how your own knowledge, skills, research results, or similar can create an impact in society and the economy – in other words, developing a project idea.

For projects resulting from this that move towards knowledge transfer or technology transfer (e.g., licensing, corporate partnerships), we involve the relevant specialist departments at KIT. Ideas with startup potential continue to be supported directly by us at FORGE – all the way through to growth. By startups, we mean venture projects with scaling and growth potential. For conventional freelance or self-employment projects (e.g., working independently as a coach, designer, or programmer), offerings from partners such as the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) are more suitable.

The first step is often simply recognizing the potential of your own research. That is exactly where we come in: We help you identify the societal and economic value of your work and explore possible pathways to application – completely without pressure or predefined outcomes. Through open formats, workshops, and individual consultation, you can take your first steps and try out what best suits you and your research. If a spinoff emerges as an exciting path during this process, we will guide you through that as well. And if another transfer pathway fits better, we will connect you with the right contacts at KIT. For us, the main focus is always: making your research impactful – Science for Impact. You can find all our services here.

We help you recognize the potential of your research and make an impact in business and society. Through individual consultations, programs, and workshops, we guide you on your journey from the lab to practical application. You can find all our offerings here.

Depending on your business idea, various federal and state funding programs as well as other forms of financing may be suitable – ranging from grants and scholarships to equity investment models. There are dedicated programs available, especially for research-based projects. We help you find the right support and prepare you effectively for it. Book an appointment for funding consultation here.

No – all of our offerings are free of charge for KIT students, employees, and alumni. They are funded through public means and KIT. If we recommend a paid offering from one of our partners, we will communicate this transparently.

You can find all upcoming events in our event calendar. Many formats are accessible without prior registration, so you can simply drop by. For other events, we kindly ask for a quick registration via the respective event page.

Our primary focus is on KIT students, researchers, and alumni. However, external individuals are also warmly welcome to attend many of our open events. Furthermore, we collaborate with external partners, investors, and companies. If you have any questions about your individual situation, feel free to contact us via the contact form in our contact person element on the right-hand side of the page.

We connect our startups with investors, partners, and companies in a targeted manner. Whether for deal flow, partnerships, or exclusive event formats – we welcome the exchange. Simply get in touch with us via our contact form in the contact person element on the right-hand side of the page.

Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter. You’ll find the links in the website footer. That way, you won't miss any events, programs, or news from the KIT startup ecosystem. Listening to our podcast is also always worth it! Find the podcast links in the footer. 

You can find us at Campus South in K26 (Kaiserstraße 26) as well as at Campus North in the ZEISS Innovation Hub. All location and arrival details can be found here.

Yes, KIT directly holds equity as a shareholder in selected spin-offs. You can learn more about technology equity investments here.

Feel free to get in touch with us using our contact form in the contact person element on the right-hand side of the page.

You don't need to know that at this point – and it is precisely the right question to start a conversation with us. Many researchers underestimate the application potential within their work or view starting a company as the only option. We help you look at your research from a fresh perspective, identify potential pathways for impact, and get a feel for what options suit you. Whether this leads to a spinoff, another transfer route, or simply a new perspective – everything remains open. Just book a free initial consultation.

No. Starting a company is one of several ways your research can create an impact – but it is not the only goal. Our primary focus is for you to recognize the potential of your work and develop an entrepreneurial mindset. If a research-based spin-off emerges from this, we are happy to guide you along the way. If another transfer route – such as licensing or collaboration – fits better, we will connect you with the appropriate departments at KIT.

You don’t have to commit to a whole programme straight away. A first, low-barrier interaction – an event, a workshop or a brief initial consultation – is often enough to find out whether and how the topic could be relevant to you. You decide how deeply you want to get involved and at what pace. We adapt to you, not the other way around. 

An initial conversation with us is informal and confidential. The focus is on exploring possibilities, not disclosing sensitive details. As soon as questions around intellectual property, patents or other protection rights become relevant, we involve the responsible teams at KIT and work with you to clarify the next steps.

Yes. There are many ways to combine entrepreneurship with an academic career, and knowledge transfer doesn’t necessarily mean leaving research behind. During a consultation, we’ll explore how your academic path and potential entrepreneurial activities can be aligned. 

That’s exactly where we’re happy to start. Before moving on to specific steps towards founding a company, we help you develop an entrepreneurial perspective on your research: Who could benefit from your findings? What problem could they solve? And what kind of impact could they create? Through events, workshops and one-to-one conversations, you can develop your entrepreneurial mindset without committing to anything. It’s the first step towards creating more Science for Impact.