Our services
Facing a technological challenge?
We support you in implementing your project in a targeted and practical manner.
We are your partner in innovation
As your innovation partner, the innBW institutes support companies from the idea to successful implementation. Our institutes combine scientific excellence with practical requirements and develop innovative products, processes, and services together with you. Whether technology transfer, research cooperation, development of new solutions, or access to state-of-the-art infrastructure—we support you in tapping into innovation potential and quickly transferring research results into practice for successful commercialization.
11
Institutes
14
Locations
31
Spin-offs
(2013-2023)
1.400+
Employees
(FTE)
5.500+
Industry contracts
/Year
Applied research & developement
With our preliminary research, we proactively identify and develop scientific and technical foundations and prototypes to enable future product and process innovations in companies.
In collaborative research, we work with companies and research partners to accelerate the application of innovations and jointly advance new technologies.
With contract research, we provide paid research work conducted on behalf of a company or public-sector funders to gain new scientific and technical knowledge or clarify uncertainties, with results that may be open-ended.
Contract development is the targeted development of a defined product, process, or prototype carried out on behalf of a client, where the result is largely specified and based on known methods and findings.
Services
We support companies in analyzing processes, identifying potential, and developing efficient solutions for sustainable improvements.
Through training, workshops, and events, we convey topic-specific, up-to-date knowledge and promote exchange between science and industry.
Our accredited laboratories conduct independent tests, analyses, and measurements according to recognized standards.
We support companies in identifying suitable funding programs as well as in application and project development.
We develop prototypes and manufacture small batches to quickly bring new technologies and products into application.
Cutting-Edge Research in Baden-Württemberg
Far beyond the state's borders, the research institutes of innBW enjoy an excellent reputation. They are known for cutting-edge research and scientific excellence in the key future fields relevant to Baden-Württemberg. From quantum technology and biomedical engineering to sustainable energy systems, artificial intelligence, and robotics: the innBW institutes develop solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.
Discover our technological highlights in the various future fields of the state:
Health 4.0
From innovative diagnostic methods, organ-on-a-chip systems, applied AI, and robotics to cutting-edge laser technology: the innBW institutes are shaping the healthcare of tomorrow. With groundbreaking developments in medical technology, personalized medicine, and digital health, they create innovative solutions for faster and more precise diagnoses, better therapies, and an improved quality of life.
With their diverse scientific focuses, the institutes cover a broad spectrum along the medical value chain—from biomedical research and medical technology to digital health applications and new analysis and diagnostic methods. This results in technologies for medical innovations that advance research, industry, and the healthcare sector equally.
Image: NMI | Development and stability studies of recombinant proteins in the laboratory
Artificial Intelligence
From AI-supported mobility solutions to intelligent sensor systems and robotics, as well as applications in medicine, energy, and the environment: the innBW institutes successfully bring artificial intelligence into practice. With innovative technologies, they create the foundation for more efficient processes, well-founded decisions, and new digital applications—from the automated analysis of complex data to the intelligent support of humans and machines.
A special focus is on the development of trustworthy and application-oriented solutions. The institutes combine excellent research with the requirements of business, society, and regulation, and particularly support small and medium-sized enterprises in introducing and using AI. This results in practice-oriented innovations that shape digital transformation and sustainably strengthen competitiveness.
Image: FZI | Safe and intelligent mobility concepts
Digitization
The innBW institutes research and develop digital technologies for industry, mobility, health, energy, and other application fields. Their focus areas include the acquisition, processing, and analysis of large data volumes, digital twins, modeling and simulation, networked systems, and the secure use of digital infrastructures.
Along the entire value chain, solutions are created for data-driven development and production processes, intelligent human-machine interaction, and the development of new digital products and services. By combining computer science, engineering, and applied research, the institutes support companies in transferring digital technologies into practice and efficiently designing innovation processes.
Image: DITF & Hahn-Schickard | In the "AI Escape Room," supported by the "Mittelstand Digital" program
Industry 4.0
How can production systems flexibly respond to new requirements, use resources efficiently, and optimize processes in real time? The innBW institutes are developing technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and networked production systems for this purpose.
The research ranges from the intelligent networking of machines and systems to the analysis and use of production data to the flexible automation of complex manufacturing processes. This creates solutions for efficient, sustainable, and adaptable production that meet the requirements of modern industrial companies.
Image: fem | CT for industrial, energy technology, and archaeological applications
New Materials
New materials are the foundation of many technological innovations. The innBW institutes research and develop materials with tailored properties—ranging from novel battery solutions and lightweight materials to technical textiles, functional surfaces, and composite materials.
The research spans material development and characterization, modern manufacturing processes, and applications in energy, mobility, medical, and industrial technologies. This results in innovative materials that open up new technical possibilities and significantly shape the performance of future products.
Image: fem | Development of new battery technologies
Green Tech
The transition to a climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy requires new technologies and sustainable value creation concepts. The innBW institutes develop solutions for the energy transition, the circular economy, and the responsible use of resources—from innovative energy storage and sustainable materials to efficient recycling and production processes.
With their diverse scientific focuses, the institutes consider the entire life cycle of products and materials—from development to use to recycling. This creates the foundation for sustainable innovations, reduced emissions, and a competitive circular economy.
Image: ZSW | PEM fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy
Future Mobility
The mobility of the future must be sustainable, connected, and efficient. The innBW institutes develop technologies for low-emission drives, intelligent traffic systems, automated driving, and innovative energy solutions. This creates the prerequisites for safe, resource-efficient, and high-performance mobility.
Research in the field of mobility ranges from battery technologies and hydrogen applications to artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, as well as digital mobility concepts and the networking of vehicles and infrastructure. This results in innovations for the mobility of tomorrow that equally consider climate protection, technological performance, and societal requirements.
Image: FKFS | Test facilities at FKFS: climate and environmental wind tunnels
Quantum technologies
Quantum technologies open up completely new possibilities for highly precise measurements, secure communication, and future information processing. The innBW institutes develop the technological foundations for this—from photonic components and integrated photonics to innovative quantum sensors for applications in industry, environment, mobility, and health.
A focus is on the development of high-performance and practical quantum systems. These include new photonic platforms for future quantum applications as well as compact quantum sensors that can detect even the smallest changes in magnetic fields or other physical quantities. Through demonstrators, pilot applications, and close exchange with companies, the institutes contribute to transferring quantum technologies from research into industrial practice and making them accessible to the economy, education, and society.
Image: IMS CHIPS | Quantum chips are manufactured in the cleanroom
Microelectronics
Microelectronics and microsystems technology are central key technologies for the digital and connected world. The innBW institutes develop highly integrated sensors, microelectronic components, and intelligent microsystems that are used in applications in industry, medicine, mobility, energy supply, and environmental technology.
The research includes the development and manufacturing of miniaturized systems that combine sensors, electronics, communication, and data processing in the smallest space. This results in powerful, energy-efficient, and reliable solutions for the acquisition, processing, and transmission of information. Thus, the institutes create the technological foundation for innovations in areas such as Industry 4.0, healthcare, quantum technologies, and the Internet of Things.
Image: Hahn-Schickard | Microsystems technology for medicine: In-ear sensor for continuous blood pressure measurement
Voices of our partners
»The CeGaT GmbH was founded in 2009 with the goal of offering innovative genetic diagnostics to patients, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry with high quality. Since our foundation, the innBW Institute NMI has been an important and reliable partner for us, as its specialists make a significant contribution with their skills and expertise in translating new methods in personalized medicine.«
Dr. Dr. Saskia Biskup
Founder and Managing Director
CeGaT GmbH
»Q.ANT develops photonic chip technology that uses light instead of electrons to natively process the natural signals of the environment. This innovation can solve the energy crisis in AI data centers and drastically increase computing power. In collaboration with IMS CHIPS, an innBW institute, we are building a pilot line for this disruptive technology in Stuttgart, giving Germany a decisive advantage in the next generation of photonic AI processors in the coming years.
To me, IMS CHIPS is much more than just a technical partner. They are the crucial link that takes our photonic processors directly from the lab to industry. From the very beginning, it was clear: trust, openness, and a genuine willingness to innovate are lived here. The professionalism and expertise of the team continually impress me, especially when it comes to speed and precision in semiconductor manufacturing.«
Dr. Michael Förtsch
Founder and CEO
Q.ANT GmbH
»At Wibu-Systems, we see innovation as an elemental part of our success. With a strong network, professionalism, and speed, we can position ourselves excellently in international competition. In this context, the cooperation with the FZI Research Center for Information Technology and the entire Baden-Württemberg Innovation Alliance is an important component.«
Oliver Winzenried
Co-founder and Executive Board Member
WIBU-SYSTEMS AG
Contact us
Whether you have technological questions, innovation projects, or consulting needs—feel free to contact us.