Transfer of Science or Research, Organisational matters

The Science Park supports start-ups from the initial idea until a new company is well established in the market. The University, the city and the state are anticipating new momentum in the economic development of the city and a boost for knowledge transfers between academia, the business sector and society at large. The Science Park provides office, laboratory and workshop facilities in over 6,000 square metres of space for spin-offs from the University of Kassel and for companies that wish to be close to the University and to teaching and research activities. At the time of its official opening, the Science Park already has an occupancy rate of approximately 60 percent. Twenty new companies, founded by graduates of the University of Kassel, have moved into the building since it was completed in March. In addition, the Science Park serves as the location for UniKasselTransfer, the Management School UNIKIMS, the patent information centre (GINo mbh) as well as the business offices of Promotion Nordhessen.

The Science Park is owned in equal shares by the city of Kassel and the University of Kassel. The construction costs of approximately 15.6 million Euros were split between the state of Hessen (approx. 7.9 million Euros from the European Regional Development Fund ERDF), the city of Kassel (7.0 million Euros) and the University (0.5 million Euros). The remainder was contributed by the Science Park Kassel GmbH.

Tarek Al-Wazir, Hessian Minister of Economics, speaking at the opening ceremony, said: "Company founders are essential for successful structural development in the economy. Particularly start-ups from the university with their new business ideas in knowledge- and research-intensive fields have the potential to generate positive economic dynamism and create high quality jobs in industries with a promising future. In addition to this, such start-ups are often a source of important inspiration for dealing with social challenges such as the transformation of the energy system. The University of Kassel has rightly come to bear the title of "the start-up university". This university has gone about implementing its statutory mandate of promoting knowledge-driven spin-offs with extraordinary engagement. The regional economy will continue to benefit to a significant degree from such an active university. Companies that have been founded by graduates of the University of Kassel employ approximately ten thousand people today."

Kassel's Mayor Bertram Hilgen, also speaking at the opening ceremony, remarked: "The dynamic economic development of Kassel is also a result of the effects of the University's activities. The new Science Park Kassel will reinforce these tendencies. Through the support of company start-ups coming from the University additional jobs will be created."

Kassel City Treasurer Dr. Jürgen Barthel added: "We want to retain as many highly qualified graduates from our university in Kassel as possible by providing them in this Science Park with the optimal prerequisites for undertaking innovative business start-ups. We are very optimistic that our investments will have a positive payoff for the city on a long-term basis."

Prof. Dr. Rolf-Dieter Postlep, President of the University of Kassel, emphasised: "The University of Kassel is a place where creativity and drive are encouraged. At the same time, we understand ourselves as a university that interacts closely with the surrounding society and occupies a vital role in the development of the city of Kassel and the region of North Hessen. Almost all of our spin-offs, we are aware of some 400, cooperate with the University in research and teaching. With the Science Park we are promoting the cooperation partners of tomorrow. In this sense, the Science Park is a key element in the development of the University."

Dr. Oliver Fromm, Managing Director of the Science Park Kassel GmbH, said: "With the opening of this building, Kassel's start-up community is getting a new home. The start-up teams will find an optimal environment both in the infrastructure that is provided and the advice that is available. At the same time, exchange among the start-ups will promote new ideas and productive networking. One notices that a special spirit is to be found in this new building."

Dr. Gerold Kreuter, also Managing Director of the Science Park Kassel GmbH, added: "The Science Park is already a success. There are enough interested parties to lease the remaining free space in the building. We will be paying special attention in selecting tenants that are innovative companies with a close connection to the University. The Science Park is also a good complement to the successful work already being done at FiDT, the technology and start-up centre at the Marbachshöhe, which can lead to a common community for innovative Kassel start-ups."

Young businesses can obtain leases for up to five years in the new start-up centre. In addition to featuring offices in various sizes, the new building provides co-working spaces, an Idea Lab, ateliers, workshops, conference rooms and a lounge. The construction project was realised by the Stuttgart architectural office Birl Heilmeyer and Frenzel. The construction work took approximately two and a half years.

The University of Kassel was honoured in the "EXIST - University-Based Business Start-Up" programme by the German Federal Ministry of Economics in 2013. The University of Kassel has just under 24,000 enrolled students (winter semester 2014/15).

Photos of the Science Park at:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2015/SPK.jpg
http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/anhaenge/2015/_MG_0783.jpg
Fotos: Sönnecken/Uni Kassel.

Video-Statements from start-up founders: http://www.sciencepark-kassel.de/community/wir-sind-drin/

Contact:
Dr. Oliver Fromm
Science Park Kassel GmbH
Managing Director
Tel. 0561 804-2734
Email: fromm@sciencepark-kassel.de

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49/ 561 804 -1961
Email: presse@uni-kassel.de

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Weitere Informationen:
http://www.uni-kassel.de