About the TFU

The TFU is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Start-up BW Pre-Seed is gaining momentum. By the end of the year, we had secured funding for 12 projects—totaling 2.3 million EUR—for our startups, which otherwise would not have been able to get off the ground (as successfully).
TFU goes to China. As representatives of the Ulm/Neu-Ulm region, we will sign a memorandum of understanding in June to cooperate with the Bao’an district in Shenzhen. We’ll be on site as early as January with Mayor Czisch and District Administrators Scheffold and Freudenberger.

An opportunity for particularly affordable space has arisen in Ehingen. The TFU and the BED—Business Center Ehingen—are joining forces to provide Ehingen-based entrepreneurs with optimal support and advice through our Startup and Technology Center.
30 years of TFU—this milestone is being celebrated in grand style across all locations.
To successfully start a business, you need a solid foundation—especially when it comes to food. Together with neighboring companies and the “Grüner Zweig” (Green Branch), we’ve opened a cafeteria in Science Park II where people with and without disabilities prepare delicious, freshly made meals. It’s been very well received.

The TechnologieFabrik, the original nucleus of the TFU, has begun to show its age. Since the building would require costly renovations, the shareholders decide to part ways with the TechnologieFabrik and relocate to the Oberer Eselsberg. TFU purchases the Lise-Meitner-Forum in Science Park II—a building constructed by PEG—which offers nearly twice as much space and already meets modern office technology requirements. Its proximity to the university and other highly innovative neighbors provides an ideal environment for startups.

After a 15-year lease, the Innovationszentrum is being returned to EADS as stipulated in the contract. TFU now has a total of 8,500 m² at its disposal, making it still one of the largest centers in Germany.
The Ulm and Neu-Ulm-Illertissen savings banks are withdrawing from the group of shareholders. Approximately 90% of TFU’s shareholders are now municipal entities. A viable agreement regarding potential deficits is being worked out.
TFU has its most successful year to date.

The shareholders are restructuring the company. The Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Schwaben), the Ulm Chamber of Crafts, and Ulmer Volksbank are withdrawing from the group of shareholders.
Management of the company is being entrusted to Steinbeis Beratungszentren GmbH, and Ulrike Hudelmaier has been appointed managing director.

Phase 2 of the Biotechnology Center is launching with two young biotechnology companies in a building on the former DASA site that was previously purchased and partially renovated.
With a total area of approximately 11,000 m2, the TFU is one of the largest technology centers in Germany.

The TFU is receiving funding to expand the first phase of the Biotechnology Center. Laboratories are being set up and put into operation in the basement of the Innovation Center building.

With financial support from the Free State of Bavaria and the City of Neu-Ulm, TFU is converting a former barracks into the Neu-Ulm Startup Center. This provides 8,000 m2 of space for startup founders and young entrepreneurs.
The Neu-Ulm district is becoming a co-partner.
TFU serves as the point of contact for the Gerling Innovation Fund.

The name of TFU-Technologie Fabrik Ulm GmbH is changed to TFU-Technologie-Förderungs-GmbH.
The University of Ulm becomes a co-shareholder.
TFU coordinates the BioRegio competition for the region.

Expansion of the TFU through an Innovationszentrum on the DASA site. The EU and the state of Baden-Württemberg are supporting the project. The official opening of the Innovationszentrum will take place on December 11, with 11 other companies participating. The first Internet connection at the Innovationszentrum will be established through the University of Ulm.
The TFU submits an application for the construction of a Biotechnology Center.

The TFU is organizing the first joint exhibition booth for the 11 companies at InterTech (International Technology Fair) in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

The TFU has been selected as one of 13 technology centers to participate in the TOU pilot program—Technology-Oriented Start-ups—run by the Federal Ministry of Research.
All city political parties welcome the plans for a technology center. The City of Ulm, Neu-Ulm, the Ulm Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Ulm), the Ulm Chamber of Crafts (HWK Ulm), Sparkasse Ulm, Kreis- und Stadtsparkasse Neu-Ulm, and Ulmer Volksbank establish TFU-Technologiefabrik Ulm GmbH. The Alb-Donau District will become a co-shareholder of TFU at a later date.
The TFU Advisory Board, chaired by the Government Commissioner for Technology Transfer, Prof. Löhn, is formed. The Advisory Board also includes representatives from the University of Ulm, the Ulm University of Applied Sciences, and the director of the Daimler-Chrysler Research Center.
On November 5, 1985, the official opening of the TFU takes place with the first five companies.