StartUpSecure KASTEL is the KIT incubator for start-ups in the field of IT security with regional and international reach. Start-ups in various IT-Security fields, like secure industrial solutions, AI systems, privacy, IoT, and secure applications for critical infrastructure, receive support in every phase of their development. This support embraces funding, technology checks, networking, business development courses and events, and community management.
More than an initiative
In order to identify bold and innovative business ideas in the field of cyber security and to awaken the founding spirit in students and scientists at an early stage of their development, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) launched the StartUpSecure program. On this basis, four start-up incubators were initiated at the three competence centers for IT security research in Darmstadt, Saarbrücken and Karlsruhe and at the Ruhr University in Bochum. The driving force behind this initiative in the science city of Karlsruhe are both the KASTEL competence center and the KIT-Gründerschmiede, one of the largest start-up centers in Germany.
This program aims to continuously support start-up projects in the IT-Security field from all over Germany and throughout their entire life cycle. We particularly focus on financing support, qualification measures and awareness-raising on the cybersecurity topics in the line with our network of partners, potential pilot customers and investors. In addition, we regularly organize events to strengthen the networking of our community and create a stage for relevant topics and engaged speakers.
