Faster, Fairer, and More Predictable: The New Blueprint for Launching Research Spin-Offs
Germany’s top research hubs and investors have come together to support a unified spin-off framework—and RWTH is proud to be part of this collaborative network.
RWTH Aachen University, alongside a coalition of research institutions, technology transfer offices (TTOs), venture capital firms, angel investors, and other key players in the innovation ecosystem, has launched the German Spin-off Framework (GSOF). This landmark initiative is designed to make translating intellectual property (IP) into research-backed startups in Germany faster, fairer, and more predictable.
The GSOF establishes a voluntary, standardized baseline for launching research-driven ventures. Coordinated by Dr. Thorsten Lambertus, Managing Director of DEEP—Institute for Deep Tech at ESMT Berlin, the framework is the product of an intensive, collaborative effort across academia and industry. By setting clear guidelines for IP licensing, equity structures, and founder negotiations, the framework slashes the transactional friction and timelines that often stall early-stage ventures. Ultimately, it allows founders, investors, and research institutions to shift their focus from legal hurdles to what matters most: building globally competitive deep-tech companies.
“For years, conversations around academic spin-offs were bogged down by conflicting interests. The German Spin-off Framework changes that, representing a collaborative step forward for academic institutions and investors. This is not the conclusion of discussions, but it is an important first step toward establishing a widely accepted, fair and innovation-friendly foundation for academic spin-offs,” said Dr. Jörg von Appen, Managing Director of RWTH Innovation GmbH, which has played a key role in shaping the process through its commitment to startup development and technology transfer, and has long championed a unified approach.
Rather than chasing short-term returns, the framework prioritizes founder incentives, investor appeal, and long-term enterprise value. By replacing uncertainty with transparency and accelerating the path to market, the GSOF aims to supercharge Germany’s ability to commercialize transformative technologies and produce world-class deep-tech companies. Designed as a living framework, the GSOF will continuously evolve alongside market demands and international best practices, ensuring that pioneering research successfully transforms into global market leaders.
The framework was jointly developed and officially signed by the following 44 organizations: APEX Ventures, Ascenion, Atlantic, Basic Ventures, Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH, BayBG Venture Capital, Bayern Kapital, Bio Deutschland e. V., BioM, BioRN, Business Angels Deutschland (BAND), Charité & BIH, Kiel University, D11Z, DEEP—Institute for Deep Tech at ESMT Berlin, DESY, DKFZ, First Momentum, Forbion, Fraunhofer, HZDR, Joachim Herz Foundation, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, LMU Medical Center, Marvelous Ventures, Matterwave Ventures, Max Planck Innovation GmbH, Noerr, Occident Ventures, Positron, Potsdam Science Park, RWTH Aachen University, seed+speed Ventures, Sofinnova, SouthwestX, TU Dresden, TU Munich, Triathlon (Saarland University), U2V, University of Stuttgart, Venture Capital Magazine, Vireo Ventures, Visionaries Tomorrow, and WIPIT.
