Sustainable Biotechnology: MerLIn Supports the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow

The aim of the „Materials Lab Incubator“ (MerLIn) is to swiftly transform groundbreaking research in sustainable materials into market-ready deep-tech start-ups. To achieve this, the incubator receives nearly 8 million euros in funding. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and personalised mentoring, young entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to bring their innovative ideas to life. Professor Ulrich Schwaneberg, a member of JARA-SOFT, plays a key role in the project by shaping the strategic direction and organisation of the incubator, as well as driving the support for start-ups in the field of sustainable biotechnology.

The project is funded 90% by the federal government and 10% by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This funding aims not only to create new businesses and jobs but also to contribute to achieving climate goals through the development of sustainable technologies. The incubator is located within the Bio4MatPro competence centre, which focuses on the development of future-proof products made from renewable raw materials and contributes to the economic transformation of the Rhineland region.

By involving investors early on, it is ensured that the start-ups work in a market-oriented way and quickly reach the market. In this way, the incubator promotes the establishment of bioeconomy start-ups in the region, making a significant contribution to sustainable development.

For more information, please visit the RWTH Aachen website: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bmclla?#aaaaaaaaabmcllq (in German)