Photo credits: Christian Barth

KIT Investments

  • Organizer: KIT FORGE
  • Audience: Founder Teams, Startups
  • Language: German, English

KIT Investments is the official spin-off investment arm of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), one of Europe's leading research institutions. KIT Investments takes direct early-stage equity stakes in high-tech spin-offs originating from KIT research or proprietary intellectual property (IP), supporting the commercialization of emerging technologies during their critical early development phases. Investment decisions are made through a structured, multi-stage governance process, ensuring strong institutional alignment and strategically empowering promising spin-offs. 

By combining the scientific excellence, institutional credibility, and innovation ecosystem of KIT with direct equity financing, KIT Investments bridges the gap between scientific validation and commercial venture capital financing. As an institutional anchor investor, KIT Investments provides a strong signal of confidence to external investors, enhancing the credibility and attractiveness of KIT spin-offs for subsequent funding rounds. 

The direct investment by their institution of origin demonstrates institutional commitment and validation, helping to attract private co-investors, reduce perceived early-stage investment risks, and facilitate access to follow-on financing. 

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Investment thesis

Equity scope & focus: Direct minority equity investments in spin-offs built on KIT research, software disclosures, or patented university technologies. 

Investment stages: First Ticket, Pre-seed and seed participating in initial financing rounds alongside syndicate partners.

Portfolio scale: As of July 2026, the active investment portfolio comprises 14 spin-offs across core deep-tech sectors, including CleanTech, SaaS/AI, Microtechnology, Lightweight Construction, Advanced Materials, Life Sciences, and MedTech.

Co-investor syndicate: Investments are structured alongside private sector co-investors, including business angels, family offices, corporate venture capital (CVC) units, and regional or international venture capital firms.


Our Investments

Biotechnology Research
Aquarray GmbH

Aquarray enables a sustainable improvement in cell screening within the pharmaceutical industry and life sciences through its Droplet Microarray (DMA) technology.

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Electrofilter
CCA -Carola Clean Air GmbH

Development, manufacturing, and marketing of particle separators for combustion systems, as well as related and similar technologies, and the provision of associated services.

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Industrial Engineering
Formic Transport Systems GmbH

FORMIC’s solution consists of a flexible number of vehicles that can be arranged around the load as needed. The vehicles lift the load together and in sync, then move it in formation – operated by a single person.

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Industrial Engineering
Nanoshape GmbH

Nanoshape stands for innovative surface technology for medical implants. Our goal is to protect everyone who relies on an implant, whether young or old, whether it’s a dental implant or a hip replacement, from infections that can occur with such implants.

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Engineering Services
Inoys AG

IONYS is involved in a wide range of topics across the entire value chain of construction, from traditional materials testing to materials technology consulting, concept development, formulation of recommendations, and product development.

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Chemistry
Ineratec GmbH

The company provides modular chemical plants for Power-to-X and Gas-to-Liquid processes, as well as sustainable fuels and chemical products. Using hydrogen from renewable electricity and greenhouse gases such as CO2.

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Materials Engineering
Phytonics GmbH

The startup develops an anti-reflective film for solar modules that increases energy yield while preventing glare. The film is inspired by plant surfaces and aims to improve the yield of solar modules by up to ten percent.

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Chemistry
Turn2x – Tun energy GmbH

Production, acquisition, and distribution of synthetically produced energy carriers, such as, but not limited to, green hydrogen or synthetically produced methane.

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Software
Mara Solutions GmbH

The tool enables hotels and restaurants to respond to every guest review using AI. It has been specifically developed to triple the response time on platforms such as Google, Booking, or Tripadvisor.

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Mechanical Engineering
Simutence GmbH

The KIT spin-off helps companies in the use of fiber-reinforced plastics. Their approach is a virtual process chain that enables holistic and efficient product development with composite materials.

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Medical Technology
Noxon GmbH

KIT spin-off and investment NOXON manufactures bionic clothing that can analyze and support human movements, allowing the body to move with more freedom and control than with crutches, walking aids, or wheelchairs.

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Building Materials Technology
Rement

Rement recovers circular raw materials from demolition concrete and stores CO2 in the process. Increasing the material value by a factor of 20, bringing mineral raw materials into the regional material cycle, and enable CO2 storage directly from exhaust gases.

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Mechanical Engineering
Revyve Technologies

REVYVE aims to bring hydrogen combustion engines to maritime transport. Initially, the company supports engine manufacturers in switching to clean hydrogen through expertise and in-house simulation technology, enabling a fast and cost-effective transition.

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Software AI
Validaitor

Validaitor combines AI governance, risk management and automated testing in one platform. It helps organizations comply with complex regulations such as the EU AI Act and EU standards by verifying compliance, enforcing ethical standards and transparency.

Our experts support you

Have questions or interested? Get in touch!

Marvin Blättner

Your contact person

Marvin Blättner
Senior Portfolio and Equity Manager

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