Fraunhofer launches new €90 million fund for technology transfer
The Fraunhofer Institute, together with the European Investment Fund and other investors, is establishing the TT49 fund to support research-based startups with €90 million in early-stage financing.
Munich – The Fraunhofer Institute, in partnership with the European Investment Fund (EIF) and new private and public investors, is launching the TT49 fund with a planned capitalization of 90 million euros. The fund aims to provide early-stage support for innovation stemming from the German and European research landscape.
The TT49 fund will focus on financing spin-offs from the Fraunhofer Institute and, for the first time, from other non-university research institutions such as the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Helmholtz Association. Investments are technology-neutral, targeting startups with scalable business models and competent teams.
This initiative follows the success of the previous Fraunhofer Technology Transfer Fund (FTTF), which financed 39 spin-offs between 2019 and 2023. The establishment of TT49 aims to bridge the funding gap for deep-tech startups in their initial phases.
Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, stated that the first closing exceeded expectations, reaching over 70 million euros despite challenging market conditions. He emphasized that TT49 represents a strong new instrument for backing deep-tech startups in Germany.
The fund is structured as a traditional venture capital vehicle with clear return targets. The objective is to strengthen innovation hubs in Germany and Europe by offering investors attractive opportunities with strategic added value in promising technology companies.