As the central co-innovation platform of RWTH Aachen University, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, the Collective Incubator offers young innovators and startups a place to turn their ideas into reality. The space includes flex desks, lecture halls and meeting rooms for collaborating on new projects. With over 4,000 square meters of space, it also has an event space, a film studio, a sound studio, and much more. For the development of new technological innovations, the Collective Incubator offers workshop facilities for the processing of metal, plastic, wood, textile, electronics and 3D printing. In addition to that, the Collective Incubator also features a number of offices for upcoming startups to work on their businesses.
leitspalt
One of them was leitspalt. The RWTH spin-off is setting new benchmarks in electric vehicle (EV) performance. Founded in 2024, the startup develops next-generation battery packs featuring structurally integrated cooling systems. This innovation enables rapid charging in under 10 minutes. This patented technology not only increases vehicle range by approximately 7% but also reduces manufacturing costs by up to 20% (excluding cells).
After almost two intense and inspiring years in their office at the Collective Incubator, we’re saying goodbye to the team founded by Dr. Jana Weinand, Dr. Jannik Bühring and Maximilian Schirp-Schoenen, which is now moving into its new offices. To learn about their experience at the Collective Incubator, we sat down with Dr. Jana Weinand.
Tell us about your experience at the Collective Incubator? What were your highlights?
The Collective Incubator accompanied us from our very first steps after incorporation, through our first fundraising round, and during the phase in which we grew from three co-founders into a team of twelve. Some of our highlights were the many conversations in the community area over lunch, as well as shared moments at events like the CI Christmas party and summer festival. Above all, we valued the support during important early-stage decisions and the special energy that comes from building something new alongside other ambitious founding teams.
How did your team benefit from the offerings at the Collective Incubator?
The Collective Incubator gave us the right environment to build from the very beginning. The workshop infrastructure allowed us to develop our first prototypes, while the office and meeting spaces supported close collaboration within the team and provided a professional setting for meetings with investors, customers, and partners. Beyond that, the CI helped strengthen our visibility within the Aachen startup ecosystem. We especially valued the strong sense of community and the open, low-friction exchange with other teams during our early phase.
How did you like the community vibe? What do you think of the RWTH startup ecosystem?
What stands out in Aachen is its strong builder mentality. The RWTH startup ecosystem combines technical excellence, entrepreneurial ambition, and a genuinely supportive community. For deep-tech startups, it is a strong place to start and grow.
Where are you moving to? Are you staying in Aachen?
Yes, we just moved into our own office and facilities at Hüttenstraße 3 in Aachen Rothe Erde, close to the battery circle ecosystem.
What's next for leitspalt?
We’re entering our next growth phase. With our EIC Accelerator project starting this summer, our focus is on building a full-scale battery pack, establishing a pilot manufacturing line, building our semi-automated pre-development environment and continuing to grow our team. Our new location creates the foundation for this next chapter.
Any closing words on your time at the Collective Incubator?
We look back on our time at the CI with great gratitude. It was a period of momentum, learning, and growth for us, and we are excited to continue writing the next chapter of leitspalt in Aachen. We would like to sincerely thank the Collective Incubator e.V., the RWTH Innovation CI team, and all partners for giving us the opportunity to be part of the Collective Incubator.
