+49 (0) 421 9600-10
28 January 2021 - Jann Raveling

Eight spin-offs from the science sector in Bremen

Science

Spin-offs that carry expertise over into the economy

View from the drop tower down onto the Technology Park at the University of Bremen
View from the drop tower down onto the Technology Park at the University of Bremen © WFB/Ginter

How do scientific findings enter our everyday lives? It is a long way from the laboratory to a saleable product. Sometimes, it is the scientists themselves who develop their research results, commercialise their ideas and establish companies.

In the following article, we will introduce several spin-offs that were formed in Bremen and that have outgrown the start-up stage, for instance companies that have successfully operated on the market for at least five years.By the way: spin-offs from the science sector in Bremen can apply for support from the BRIDGE founders’ programme (German), run by the University of Bremen, and from Starthaus Bremen.

Eight science spin-offs from Bremen’s scientific landscape:

1. ZARM Technik AG

Holger Oelze (right), director of ZARM Technik AG, in an interview
Holger Oelze (right), director of ZARM Technik AG, in an interview © ZARM Technik AG

Rotating satellites in space without consuming fuel – ZARM Technik AG, based in Bremen, rank among the global aerospace elite thanks to their technical solutions. Satellite manufacturers from across the globe regularly reach out to them in Bremen. The company was founded in 1997 as a spin-off of ZARM – The Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (German) – with whom the company still shares premises and knowledge to this day.

2. Encoway

In 2000, the dot-com bubble surrounding the hype of internet-based companies burst on the stock market and triggered a recession. It was precisely then when Christoph Ranze, a former research associate at the Bremen TZI (Center for Computing Technologies), set out to make his vision a reality: encoway (German). The company is a European market leader for digital configurators. These are systems enabling customers to configure a product online exactly as they wish. Ranze is also Head of Digital Business at the global Lenze Group, closely affiliated with encoway.

3. MeVis Medical Solutions AG

In 2007, several spin-offs of MEVIS, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine, were combined to form MeVis Medical Solutions AG. This publicly listed company employs 140 members of staff. The company uses artificial intelligence and other technologies to develop practical software systems for image-based early detection, diagnostics and therapy.

4. Biolog Life Science Institute

The portfolio of Biolog Life Science Institute contains in excess of 800 molecules. They act as precursors and are employed in medications or research projects by medical and pharmaceutical companies and scientific institutes. The company was founded as a spin-off from Faculty 2 Biology/Chemistry of the University of Bremen. In addition to producing molecules, the company also conducts independent research on new chemical compounds for applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

5. Geo-engineering.org GmbH

Tobias Mörz and Johannes Brock, two of the directors of
Tobias Mörz and Johannes Brock, two of the directors of © WFB/Raveling

If you are erecting a building, it is often advantageous to know the composition of the ground on which it will stand. Is the substrate stable? Geo-Engineering.org is a service provider that performs investigations, surveys, analyses and construction supervision during groundwork (German). One important mainstay of the company is the offshore industry. The company investigates the sea floor to find out where foundations for wind turbines can be constructed. Founder Tobias Mörz is also Professor of Marine Engineering Geology at the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM)

6. Bremer Umweltinstitut GmbH

In 1992, the Bremer Umweltinstitut (Environmental Institute of Bremen) was formed from a research team of students and professors at the University of Bremen whose activities began in 1976. The company performs pollution monitoring and quality inspections of all kinds. For instance, the Bremen-based company inspects buildings for mould formation, fire damage and harmful substances in building materials, such as asbestos. They also test construction products, furniture, leather, textiles and dietary supplements to ensure that they comply with legal limits. Even though the name sounds like an academic institute, the company is an independent business. While also frequently collaborating with the scientific community on research projects.

7. Aimpulse Intelligent Systems

Automation and optimisation in the logistics sector – these are the priorities of Aimpulse (German). The small team based in the Bremen Technology Park is a spin-off from the University of Bremen. The IT specialists frequently contribute to research projects. For instance, they are currently developing an “ECG for machines”. This development will be used to monitor and optimise the service life of technical systems.

8. OTARIS Interactive Services

Otaris is a further spin-off from the Center for Computing Technologies (TZI) at the University of Bremen. The company is an IT service provider specialising in the areas of individual software, IT security, quality management and testing. They are mainly active in the market research, public health care, telecommunications, e-commerce and public administration sectors.

Success Stories


Überseestadt (New Harbour District)
9 January 2024
Brüning Group: From Fischerhude to the Überseeinsel

New settlement in Bremen: for three decades, the Brüning Group had its company headquarters in Fischerhude. In the summer of 2023, the rapidly expanding company moved its head offices to the Überseeinsel in the Überseestadt (the New Harbour District) in Bremen. A modern brick-built office block with a glass facade now stands where Kellogg's once stored rice.

Learn more
Science
30 August 2023
Interactive Science in Bremen

Science plays a leading role in Bremen: in the laboratories of the university, at one of the more than 50 research institutes or in the green botanika. There are many opportunities for visitors to experience science at first hand.

Learn more
Success stories
16 August 2023
Working Together to Resolve the Skills Shortage

Many sectors are affected by the shortage of qualified employees. However, thanks to its numerous partners, Bremeninvest can offer a broad range of services and assistance to help overcome these problems.

Learn more