Heiko Huber new head of Accelerator TechFounders
Garching b. Munich — Heiko Huber (photo) takes over the management of the UnternehmerTUM accelerator TechFounders. As Managing Director, his job is to network established companies such as Miele, ADAC, Festo and Knorr-Bremse with innovative tech start-ups and initiate collaborations.
Huber brings extensive experience at the interface of start-ups and industry: Most recently, he was responsible for start-up investments and employee spin-offs at Siemens’ venture unit “Next47″. Previously, he worked for McKinsey and Daimler, among others, and co-founded a successful start-up himself with eGym.
“Heiko Huber is exactly the right person to take TechFounders forward,” says Dr. Helmut Schönenberger, Managing Director of UnternehmerTUM, which includes the TechFounders accelerator program. “His great strength is that he understands the needs of both startups and corporations. He helps young companies grow because he knows from his own experience what they need. Moreover, because he has worked in corporations himself, he understands perfectly how to set up successful collaborations between established companies and startups.”
“I am very excited to be on board with TechFounders. When young companies with innovative solutions cooperate with established champions, both sides win. We identify the most exciting start-ups for our industry partners worldwide and initiate pilot projects that help develop innovative products and digitize traditional business models. The founding teams benefit twice over. In addition to the paid pilot project, they receive individual coaching and access to our unique network of mentors and investors,” says Heiko Huber.
About UnternehmerTUM — Center for Innovation and Start-up at the TU Munich
UnternehmerTUM offers founders an all-round service from the initial idea to going public. A team of experienced entrepreneurs, scientists, managers and investors supports start-ups in developing their products and services. The 200 employees provide active support in building up the company, entering the market and obtaining financing — including venture capital.
XPRENEURS supports high-tech teams at an early stage to develop their business model. The TechFounders accelerator program coaches technology founders to a first venture capital round within 20 weeks and initiates collaborations with established companies. For industry partners, UnternehmerTUM is a unique platform for collaborating with startups and building their internal innovation power and culture.
In Europe’s largest high-tech workshop open to the public, MakerSpace, companies, start-ups and creatives can produce prototypes and small series on 1,500 square meters using state-of-the-art machines such as large 3‑D printers. UnternehmerTUM is the Digital Hub Mobility within the framework of the Digital Hub Initiative of the Federal Government.
Founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Susanne Klatten, UnternehmerTUM is the leading start-up center in Germany, with more than 50 high-growth technology start-ups each year and its unique range of services.