1000 jobs - 10 years of the Science Park

The idea of specifically promoting start-ups from within the University of Kassel and strengthening the exchange between science, business and society was born back in the 2000s: what began as a bold impulse from the then City Treasurer Dr. Jürgen Barthel and the President of the University of Kassel Prof. Dr. Rolf-Dieter Postlep is now a vibrant innovation hotspot. The funding of around 15.6 million euros for the construction was provided by the state of Hesse (of which around 7.9 million euros came from ERDF funds), the city of Kassel (7.0 million euros), the University of Kassel (0.5 million euros) and Science Park Kassel GmbH. Since then, the city and university have been partners.

The Chancellor of the University of Kassel and former Managing Director of the Science Park, Dr. Oliver Fromm, emphasizes: "It is an exciting place, but above all a lively and creative community, where research results are turned into products and services."

A lot has happened since the first 20 start-ups moved in in March 2015: more than 100 start-up projects have been supported, over 1,000 jobs have been created and around 400 people currently work in over 50 companies on the North Campus of the University of Kassel. The occupancy rate at the end of 2024 was 92.4 percent - proof of the steadily increasing demand.

"For ten years now, the Science Park Kassel has shown that Kassel is an attractive place for start-ups. The proximity to the university, the networking with the regional economy and the exchange with other start-ups enables young companies to develop under attractive conditions," says Kassel's Lord Mayor Dr. Sven Schoeller. "The Science Park generates a high level of innovation. This is an important driver for the diversity of Kassel's successful companies."

City Treasurer Matthias Nölke also emphasizes: "For ten years, the Science Park has stood for true entrepreneurial spirit: Courage for new ideas and responsibility for your own path. A real success story for Kassel with a future!"

The companies that started here are now attracting national and international attention - be it through reports on television, prizes such as the German Design Award Gold or collaborations with industry giants such as Bosch, Microsoft or VW. Dr. Gerold Kreuter, who was Co-Managing Director of the Science Park from the signing of the shareholder agreement in 2009 until 2022, proudly reports: "Several teams from the Science Park were in the 'Lion's Den'. Six teams completed stages at the German Accelerators in the USA and Asia - often resulting in a successful market entry."

The Science Park not only offers modern offices and workshops, but also an active network and comprehensive support: consulting formats, mentoring, funding programs such as "Hessen Ideen" or initiatives such as the CoCreationLab accompany founders from the initial idea to market maturity Science Park Managing Director Kai Lorenz Wittrock sums it up: "We will continue to ensure that young companies not only find workspaces here in the future, but also an inspiring ecosystem with real development prospects."

"Of course, the Science Park is not just about companies, but also about people," adds Anja Flörke, who is responsible for the operation of the building as an authorized signatory. "Creating an environment here with our services where everyone enjoys coming to work - that's what spurs our whole team on anew every day."

The success of the location is inextricably linked to its close connection to the University of Kassel - many start-ups employ students or cooperate with research institutions. "We are delighted that, together with the City of Kassel as a shareholder, we have created a symbiosis that is unique in the region," says Chancellor Fromm. Companies such as K.E.S., STRAFFR and fino also report practical support, flexibly usable spaces and a community that enables growth. In its anniversary year, a further step towards climate neutrality was taken with the commissioning of a photovoltaic system - a symbol of the Science Park's forward-looking aspirations.

"Our aim is to position the Science Park even more strongly as a platform for the active transfer of knowledge between the University of Kassel and the North Hessian economy," concludes Managing Director Jörg Froharth.

On August 27, the Science Park will not only celebrate its own success stories, but also those of the many start-ups whose ideas have been made successful at the center, at a ceremony in Lecture Hall 1 of the University from 4 p.m., followed by a celebration in the Science Park.