XSF — NXTGN

NXTGN

As the central innovation platform in Baden-Württemberg, the NXTGN Startup Factory connects science, business and the startup ecosystem, thereby laying the foundation for the next generation of SMEs. NXTGN accompanies technology-intensive start-ups from the early phase through to sustainable growth and thus supports the systematic transfer of innovative ideas from science and research into marketable and scalable solutions. At the same time, established companies receive targeted support in innovation and transformation processes.

Vision

NXTGN pursues the vision of establishing Baden-Württemberg as one of the leading innovation and start-up locations in Europe. The aim is to combine the excellent research landscape, the strong SME sector and the dynamic start-up ecosystem in such a way that deep-tech innovations are systematically transformed into market and socially relevant solutions.

Bridge between science and business

As a central networking platform, NXTGN brings together universities, research institutions, established companies and start-ups. In this integrative role, the Startup Factory combines scientific excellence, entrepreneurial potential and industrial experience, creating an environment in which deep-tech spin-offs can emerge and grow at an accelerated pace.

Mission and goals

NXTGN is aimed at both talented people interested in founding a company and start-ups as well as established companies that want to drive innovation processes forward. NXTGN's mission is to activate, support and successfully scale deep tech start-ups by:

Systematically networking science, business and the start-up ecosystem

Supporting entrepreneurial talents and teams with start-ups, growth and market entry

Creating access to funding, networks and central resources

Supporting transformation and innovation processes in established companies

Strengthening the region's innovative capacity in the long term

Performance measurement & KPIs

These KPIs reflect NXTGN's ambition to not only promote individual start-ups, but to systematically strengthen the depth, breadth and sustainability of the innovation ecosystem in Baden-Württemberg. NXTGN works with clearly defined target figures to make the impact and progress in the ecosystem measurable.

Quantitative targets by 2030:

15.000

Participants in programs and formats

>300

founded deep tech startups

1.000

Collaboration projects between startups and SMEs

1 billion € venture capital

for startups

10.000

new jobs in the innovation ecosystem

People behind NXTGN

Adrian Thoma

Managing Director

In his role, he steers the strategic direction of the NXTGN Startup Factory, which connects science, SMEs and startups to promote technology-driven spin-offs and accelerate the transfer of research results into scaling companies. Under his leadership, NXTGN plays a central role in building a vibrant innovation ecosystem with the aim of accelerating the development of the next generation of SMEs. Thoma brings extensive experience from the start-up scene and start-up support in Baden-Württemberg to this role.

Dr. Michael Zyder

Managing Director

Together with Adrian Thoma, he is responsible for the operational management of the NXTGN Startup Factory. He brings many years of experience from the SME sector in the areas of finance, controlling, strategy and transformation and has already initiated cooperation between corporates and startups there. At NXTGN, he combines this experience with the ambition to support deep-tech start-ups in making the leap from research to the market and is responsible for finance and operations. His goal is to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Baden-Württemberg and thereby drive forward the transformation of the SME sector.

Website of NXTGN