Research and Developement
The Lüneburg Innovation Incubator comprises more than 50 projects in which researchers, jointly with business partners, are developing new products and services. Many of these projects also promote the regional economy by offering research-based expertise to companies or start-ups. In addition, several projects aim to promote training and continuing education of highly qualified graduates in the regional labor market. The projects are centered on the topics of “Digital Media”, “Health” and “Sustainable Energy.” Scholars, scientists and students will also conduct additional promising projects.
Research projects conducted in collaboration with corporate partners
FeQuan: Environmental chemists are developing sensors predicting the occurrence of rust and deposits in wells and water pipes – from the initial idea through to a marketable product.
Trace Analysis of NSO heterocycles: The team of chemists are looking for a procedure to measure hazardous substances causing cancer.
Operations Excellence: New methods will help optimize production flows in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Driving Simulator: Business psychologists are programming a computer-based driver training that is specifically targeted at older drivers.
Doing Business in Networks: Environmental scientists are examining how to best promote regional products in the region.
Resource Efficiency as a Key Factor: Experts in the field of environmental law are investigating the benefits the new EU Waste Law can offer small and medium-sized enterprises.
Projects with Creative Businesses aim to promote creative artists in the region by, among other aspects, awarding the Daniel Frese Prize for Contemporary Art.
Visiting Professorships: 15 international visiting professors at Leuphana Graduate School, jointly with business partners from the region, are looking at regional issues and providing research counseling for students.
Knowledge transfer in the region
Start-ups: Persons who are interested in setting up their own business will be provided with comprehensive advice and coaching.
Transfer and Innovation Programs: In each of the workshops held regularly within the scope of the transfer and innovation programs “Performance Management in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises” and “Sustainable Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, about 25 entrepreneurs come together to exchange their ideas.
Regional Networking and Events: The project is bringing together entrepreneurs, scientists as well as representatives from the fields of administration and politics to strengthen each other.
Transfer Assistants and Business Development Agents: Transfer and innovation assistants are initiating new projects in the field of higher education, science and business. The business development agents contribute to the projects’ economic development.
Training and continuing education
Leuphana College: The Incubator supports the quality of teaching in the bachelor’s programs by offering additional professorships, lecturers, praxis projects, counseling services and lectures. This helps improve the conditions of studying.
30 master’s students and 20 doctoral candidates have received a scholarship from Leuphana Graduate School to elaborate on research issues related to the region.
Continuing education: With the support of the Incubator, Leuphana Professional School is offering more than ten bachelor’s and master’s programs as well as continuing education certificates to students who wish to study while working.
Case studies: Research assistants are preparing 12 case studies and developing solutions for challenges currently being faced by one or more enterprises in the region. Afterwards, the case studies will be used as teaching material for students.
E-learning: The project aims at developing innovative e-learning based educational programs targeted at Professional School students as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.
Research infrastructure
Building and research infrastructure: In one part of the new central building designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind, new research facilities will be established for researchers involved in the Innovation Incubator project. This way the Incubator helps establish a permanent research infrastructure reaching far beyond the end of the project period and thereby provides a unique research environment for researchers at Leuphana. More than 3,000 square meters have been reserved just for the Incubator project, with 220 office jobs being created.
Knowledge database: The development of a regional web-based knowledge platform serves to promote information exchange between small and medium-sized enterprises and scientists.