Working together for talent and innovation ‘Made in Berlin’. The HU and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) aim to forge even closer links between academia and industry.
Berlin, September 16, 2026. The President of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Prof. Dr Julia von Blumenthal, and IHK President Sebastian Stietzel signed a cooperation agreement today. A concrete example of this collaboration is the new AI-based platform PatentPlus, which HU has developed with the support of the IHK. With PatentPlus, the university is, for the first time, making its entire patent portfolio publicly accessible as a searchable technology offering – thereby closing one of the key gaps in knowledge transfer: the path from invention to commercialisation. The service is aimed at companies and investors specifically seeking licensable technologies or research partnerships.
Prof. Dr Julia von Blumenthal, President of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: “Building bridges between academia and industry is of central importance for a university. Through our research, we develop solutions to the challenges of our time. For these to be effective, they must find their way into practical application. I am therefore delighted about the cooperation agreement with the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Berlin). Our collaboration in the Startup Factory JUNI, on the Berlin IP Model and now with PatentPlus demonstrates how we are working together to promote innovation and bring research into practical application more quickly.”
Sebastian Stietzel, President of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Berlin): “Businesses need easier access to research, talent and patents so that scientific excellence can be transformed into innovation, competitive advantages and jobs. That is why the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce has already entered into partnerships with the Free University of Berlin (FU), the Technical University of Berlin (TU), the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR) and the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW) over the past four years. The agreement with HU Berlin and our new platform for patent matching also aim to systematically expand the transfer between academia and industry. Together, we are creating short pathways for greater value creation ‘Made in Berlin’.”
State Secretary for Science, Dr Henry Marx: “Berlin stands for excellent research – and we want good ideas to be turned into successful applications and new business models more quickly. The new collaboration between Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Berlin) addresses precisely this: with PatentPlus, research findings and patents from HU, as well as from BUA partners FU Berlin, TU Berlin and Charité, will be more easily visible and accessible to businesses and investors. This brings science and industry together more quickly, enables innovations to reach the market more swiftly and creates new opportunities for spin-offs. It is precisely this kind of transfer that we need to further strengthen Berlin as a centre for science and innovation.”
State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Michael Biel: “Every day in Berlin, new ideas and technologies with great economic potential emerge. It is crucial that we put these into practice quickly and successfully, so that viable business models can emerge from them. The collaboration between HU and the IHK demonstrates how this can be achieved: with PatentPlus, they have jointly created tangible added value for knowledge transfer. It is precisely this kind of cooperation that we need to further strengthen our innovative capacity and competitiveness. After all, our goal is clear: we want to make Berlin the number one innovation hub in Europe.”
Volker Hofmann, managing director of Humboldt Innovation GmbH: “With today’s launch of the platform, it will be even easier for Berlin-based companies to access our innovations. In doing so, we are further expanding our links with Berlin-based companies to drive the city’s economic development forward. A strong scientific community contributes to a strong economy. It is particularly important to me that we are also able to make this tool available to our partners in the Berlin University Alliance.”
Joint projects
With more than ten joint projects and activities, HU and IHK Berlin are committed to securing a skilled workforce and boosting innovation in the region. The cooperation agreement includes, for example, initiatives to integrate international students into the labour market, the IHK’s training campaign, and efforts to strengthen entrepreneurial AI skills through programmes offered by HU’s AI Campus.
It will also be easier in future for university spin-offs to obtain patents. The recently adopted Berlin IP model has created more start-up-friendly conditions for spin-offs, enabling them to successfully attract investment from the outset and achieve long-term entrepreneurial success. The IP model was driven forward with the support of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and developed by JUNI, the new Berlin-Brandenburg start-up factory. HU is a member of JUNI alongside its partners in the Berlin University Alliance and their joint start-up centre, Science & Startups.
Further Information
IHK Position Paper: "Transfer.Impact.Made in Berlin"
PatentPlus