Innovation and Research Center (IFC)

Your partner for knowledge and technology transfer

Through the Innovation and Research Center (IFC), Furtwangen University promotes and supports the transfer of knowledge and technology and thus contributes to strengthening the regional economy and its innovative power. The IFC forms a network between technology-oriented companies in the region and the university's scientific institutions.

The IFC offers innovative companies, business founders and start-ups space for creativity and access to the university's research and development facilities.

The IFC offers a comprehensive range of support services, develops individual support measures and provides affordable premises, particularly for those interested in setting up their own business.

Our services

IFC as central contact for partnerships

One point of contact for companies, industry, business, society and associations:
The IFC's transfer management team receives inquiries from external partners and puts them in touch with competent partners and university institutions in order to find solutions for the tasks at hand.

Consulting and referral

Advice and provision of HFU expertise, resources and technical facilities: As the central institution of HFU, the IFC provides partners from industry and society with access to a wide range of skills, resources and technologies. HFU offers a wide range of opportunities for cooperation to develop scientifically sound solutions, in the areas of:

Medical technology, biotechnology and health sciences
Smart systems, mechatronic systems and engineering sciences
Production engineering and materials science
Business Information Systems, computer science and digital media
Economics, innovation and gender research

Partnering within the framework of funded transfer projects

As part of research or development projects between the university and companies, the IFC provides various opportunities for project partnerships:

Contract research projects (in cooperation with the IAF Institute for Applied Research and suitable partners at HFU)
Initiation of funding projects
Specialised consulting
Preparation of expert reports
Supervision and implementation of student projects and theses
Doctoral programmes in cooperation with industry

Driver of innovation

Implementation of innovation workshops
Implementation and organisation of networking events for the development of innovative communities
Development and validation of new business ideas
Development of new business models
Support for transformation processes

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[Translate to English:] Ein Mann von hinten auf einer Bühne der in ein sitzendes

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Start-up support

A group of people developing innovative ideas at table

The IFC is the central facility at HFU for supporting those interested in setting up their own business. Further details can be found at startUPcampus@hfu.External link opens in a new window: https://startupcampus.edv-bw.de/en/
Through the IFC, Furtwangen University supports and is part of the start-up-friendly region External link opens in a new window:Gründergarten SBH initiative.
The IFC provides office and creative spaces as well as External link opens in a new window:makerspaces for start-ups

IFC as an institution

Sponsors and funding

The IFC is an award-winning RegioWIN flagship project for research, development and innovation. The IFC is funded by the European Union and the state of Baden-Württemberg. The other costs are borne by the City and District of Tuttlingen and the Tuttlingen Campus Förderverein e.V. www.hctf.de
The activities and services offered and provided by the IFC strengthen the research and development capacities of Furtwangen University and in particular the university location and economic region of Tuttlingen. This is illustrated by a large number of partnerships between regional companies and the university's scientific institutions.

Location and facilities

The IFC is based in Tuttlingen at Katharinenstraße 2.

The premises can be used by industry and society, for example for:

events
conferences
training courses
meetings
network meetings

MedicalMountains

As a long-standing partner of Furtwangen University, the cluster organisation for innovative medical technology − MedicalMountains − is based at the IFC. HFU cooperates closely with MedicalMountains in a variety of events and projects. https://medicalmountains.de/

Institute for advanced Manufacturing (KSF)

A large hall with several large CNC machines

The IFC is home to the Internal link opens in the same window:Institute for advanced Manufacturing (KSF), with its state-of-the-art machinery and a comprehensively equipped measuring laboratory. The three facets of the University of Applied Sciences − research, teaching and transfer − come together directly at the IFC.

Hydrogen research / H2 Regio SBH+ e.V.

The competence network H2 Regio SBH+ e.V., based at the IFC, was founded in the course of research activities relating to hydrogen. The members of the association are actively involved in the promotion and industrialization of hydrogen technology. https://h2-regio.de

A modular fuel cell system test bench for the H2 region of Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg was set up at the IFC. It is intended to contribute to the development of large-scale production of the entire manufacturing process and all components of the electrified powertrain. https://h2-regio.de/projekte/

Selected partnership projects

Management: CoHMed

Internal link opens in the same window:CoHMed combines science and business for a strong medical technology region! Innovative medical technology solutions are developed together, with a focus on SMEs and practical research.

Management: CASE4Med

Smart solutions for medical technology! Internal link opens in the same window:Medical Solution Center CASE4Med brings simulation, data analysis and AI to the industry. Together with experts from research and industry, future technologies are put to practical use.

KTUR

The Internal link opens in the same window:Knowledge Transfer in the Upper Rhine 2 (KTUR²) project gives companies exclusive access to innovations and cutting-edge technologies by focusing on central strategic priorities in the Upper Rhine region.