The sustainable future begins in the lab
The transition towards a sustainable economy and society is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Chemicals influence nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Innovative processes, products, and services in the field of chemistry and biochemistry play a crucial role in the sustainable development of our society. Science and applied research play a crucial role as drivers of innovation. Start4Chem serves as a catalyst to bring research-based innovations to the market and make them economically viable. Start4Chem is an incubator for innovations and startup initiatives, aimed at unlocking the transfer potential of Ruhr-University in the field of chemistry and biochemistry.
The catalyst for your startup ventures
At START4CHEM, we are an interdisciplinary team with a broad range of expertise. Our goal is to support scientists in transferring their research results into practical applications. We see ourselves as a central interface between research, business, and society. To achieve this, we are affiliated with the Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ruhr-University Bochum and are part of the Worldfactory Start-up Center at Ruhr-University Bochum.
From idea to startup
We support scientists from the inception of their ideas all the way through to the establishment of their startups and beyond. Through various formats, students and researchers have the opportunity to engage with entrepreneurship. Our offerings range from seminars that provide explicit content to exchange formats and networking events such as panel discussions and talks with founders, where they can interact with role models. By independently using entrepreneurship tools and the associated change in perspective, scientists and graduates can broaden their horizons.
For those who already have a concrete idea, we provide intensive coaching sessions to guide them through the startup process. When it comes to financing, we are here to assist you. This way, your idea can transition more rapidly from research to practical application, allowing you to focus entirely on your startup. We offer targeted support in acquiring startup-relevant funding, such as EXIST or Start-up Transfer.NRW.
How we support you in realizing your potential
We believe that your research has the potential to make society better. Just like you, we aim to bring innovative or improved problem-solving solutions from the laboratories into the world. That’s why we are here to help you implement novel and enhanced solutions.
Let’s question the status quo – and explore new paths together!
START4CHEM Incubator
The START4CHEM Incubator is part of the Worldfactory Start-up Center at Ruhr University Bochum, which is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization, and Energy of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the Excellence Start-up Initiative.
START4CHEM-Labs
The START4CHEM Labs complement the offerings of the START4CHEM Incubator with demand-oriented infrastructure for students and researchers interested in starting their own ventures. The START4CHEM Labs are located in the BMZ on the campus of Ruhr University and are currently in the setup and initiation phase. The project is funded as part of the Ruhr Conference.