Press releases
International center for Research in Cultural Anthropology celebrates centenary
100 Years of the Frobenius Institute in Frankfurt
With its impressive archives and collections, the Frobenius Institute for Research in Cultural Anthropology at Goethe University Frankfurt is an established entity in the research landscape and a center of excellence that enjoys international repute. In May, the institute will organize exhibitions and guided tours to commemorate its founder's move from Munich to Frankfurt 100 years ago.
FRANKFURT. The history of the Frobenius Institute for Research in Cultural Anthropology in Frankfurt begins with a contract signed on May 16, 1925, in which representatives of the City of Frankfurt and the self-taught scholar, explorer, Africa expert and adventurer Leo Frobenius (1873–1938) set down that he and his collections should find a new home in Hessen. In commemoration of the signing of this contract, on May 16, 2025, the Frobenius Institute will celebrate its 100 years of existence in Frankfurt.
As confirmed by the German Science and Humanities Council in July 2024, the Frobenius Institute continues to play a special role in German social and cultural anthropology. With its archives and collections, unique worldwide, and its current research projects, it is an active player at the interface between research institute and museum and constitutes an internationally acknowledged center of excellence in the field of cultural anthropology that attracts researchers from throughout the world to Frankfurt.
The institute can look back on an interesting past. Leo Frobenius had founded the “Africa Archive" in Berlin in 1898. After World War I, he transferred it to Munich, and it was there that he established the “Research Institute for Cultural Morphology" in 1920. Ludwig Landmann, then mayor, invited Frobenius to move to Frankfurt, and with the help of foundation funds the city acquired the extensive collections of the Africa Archive and made rooms available in the Palais Thurn und Taxis. Although he did not hold an academic degree, Frobenius was given a teaching position in cultural and ethnological studies at the University of Frankfurt and appointed as honorary professor in 1932. In 1934, Frobenius additionally became director of the Municipal Museum of Ethnology. It was only after his death in 1938 that the institute was named after him.
In its early days, work at the Frobenius Institute focused on the study of African cultures and history. Between 1904 and 1935, Frobenius undertook twelve expeditions to the continental interior, during which he collected ethnographic and historical data, oral records, cultural artefacts and copies of rock art. His theoretical approach to cultural morphology led him to consider cultures as organic beings shaped by Paideuma, a kind of “independent essence" – an approach regarded today as controversial. Members of the institute also conducted research in Europe (Spain, Italy, France and Scandinavia), on the Arabian Peninsula, in India, Southeast Asia, Melanesia and Australia. Although his research during the time of the German Empire was anchored in the Reich's colonial policy and Frobenius even tried his hand (rather unsuccessfully) as a secret agent in Italian Eritrea on behalf of the Prussian king, his belief that Africa's cultures were equal to others was not always consistent with the world view of his contemporaries. During the Nazi period too, Frobenius continued to take an ambivalent stance: He allowed industrialists from Wilhelm Kepler's circle to finance his travels, who also helped propel the rise of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP, “Nazi Party"). Frobenius also thanked Hindenburg, Goebbels and Hitler for their support of two expeditions between 1933 and 1935; among his most important backers in Frankfurt were Friedrich Krebs, mayor and NSDAP official, and August Wisser, the university curator appointed by the Nazi regime. However, Frobenius was adamant about his theory of cultural morphology, which contradicted the Nazi ideology of race, and he consequently incurred the wrath of Alfred Rosenberg, an NSDAP Reichsleiter, and of Walter Groß from the Office of Racial Policy.
In 1946, Adolf Ellegard Jensen succeeded Frobenius as the institute's director and remained in charge until 1965. During his term of office, researchers undertook expeditions to Africa, South and Central America, India and Oceania. Numerous field studies were also conducted under the institute directors who followed – Carl August Schmitz (1965–1966), Eike Haberland (1968–1992) and Karl-Heinz Kohl (1996–2016). All successors of Leo Frobenius were also professors at Goethe University Frankfurt.
Roland Hardenberg has been the director of the Frobenius Institute since 2017. As a professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, he teaches social and cultural anthropology. At his initiative, the institute's regional focus has extended and now also encompasses South Asia (especially India) and Central Asia. Today, researchers at the institute apply anthropological, historical and archaeological methods to study different conceptions of the human condition and the relationships between human beings and their environment. For the Frobenius Institute, its task lies in enhancing knowledge in the field of cultural anthropology and fostering a reflective handling of cultural difference through scientific dialogue. Working with the existing archives, continuously expanding them and reflecting on the history of the subject and its methods are established elements of the institute's scientific approach. Worldwide collaborations, especially with people and institutions in the countries of provenance, have been intensified and become an important feature of research at the institute.
On the occasion of its centenary, the institute is opening its archives and inviting its audience to take part in special guided tours or become members of the Frobenius Society. The aim is to continue and intensify the productive collaboration between research and urban society, which has endured since Leo Frobenius sowed the seed so many years ago.
Anniversary program:
Thursday, May 22
2.00 p.m.: Guided tour of the Frobenius Institute's collections and archives
Frobenius Institute, I.G. Farben Building, Westend Campus
4.00 p.m.: Escape room in the library
Frobenius Institute, Westend Campus
Friday, June 6
12.00 noon: Opening of the poster exhibition “Our Research Projects in Pictures" as part of the Summer Symposium
Frobenius Institute, Campus Westend
Binding registration is requested for all events under: https://www.frobenius-institut.de/aktuelles/100-jahre
Picture download: https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/172046924
Caption:
1) “Reclining Man with Horn Mask": The artist Agnes Schulz made this copy of a rock painting from Rusape, Zimbabwe (found at Diana's Vow cave) in 1929. (Watercolor on paper, 105.5 × 147 cm, Frobenius Institute FBA-D3 01622-b)
2) Roland Hardenberg, the present director of the Frobenius Institute for Research in Cultural Anthropology, with a bust of Leo Frobenius, the institute's namesake. (Photo: Jennifer Markwirth)
Further Information
Adjunct Professor Susanne Fehlings
Frobenius Institute for Research in Cultural Anthropology
Goethe University Frankfurt
Tel.: ++49(0)69-798-32012
Email: fehlings@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Redaktion: Dr. Anke Sauter, Referentin für Wissenschaftskommunikation, Büro für PR & Kommunikation, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Telefon 069 798-13066, Fax 069 798-763-12531, sauter@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
The new project “Visual Analytics for Images from Colonial Contexts” (VABiKo) is a German Research Foundation-funded collaboration between Frankfurt University Library and Philipps-Universität Marburg
Image Archive on Former German Colonies to be Made Accessible with Artificial Intelligence
The central historical image archive of the German colonial and colonial revisionist movements is one of the largest photographic collections of its kind and plays an important role in the reappraisal of German colonial history. This image archive will be made accessible on a public internet portal using automated image analysis processes and deep learning methods. Its position in both colonial and Nazi contexts necessitate an approach that is both historically aware and ethically responsible.
The still existing part of the image collection belonging to the “German Colonial Society” (1887 - 1936) and subsequent propaganda organizations such as the “Reichskolonialbund” (1933 - 1943), comprises around 45,000 image carriers. In the late 1940s, these were handed over to the Frankfurt City and University Library. From the perspective of the original collecting institutions, many of the images relate thematically to the alleged cultural and economic “development” of the German colonies on the African continent, in Oceania, and in China. However, other European and non-European regions are represented as well. In the late 1990s, this was the first photographic collection from colonial contexts in Germany to be digitized and presented online. In the early 2000s, it was expanded to include other image collections such as those of the Sam Cohen Library in Swakopmund, Namibia. Due to insufficient metadata, access for researchers has so far been severely restricted.
The project “Visual Analytics for Images from Colonial Contexts” (VABiKo) was launched in order to fundamentally rethink possibilities of access to these images. The project is a cooperation between the J. C. Senckenberg University Library in Frankfurt and the “Multimodal Modelling and Machine Learning” working group (Prof. Ralph Ewerth) at Philipps-Universität Marburg. It is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a provisional period of three years. The project aims to improve the archive’s usability through semi-automatic indexing and additional metadata. This includes new possibilities for extended search and online presentation, such as simplified searchability with the help of deep learning-supported image analysis and interactive time-space visualizations. In addition, this will make it possible to compare the image collection with illustrations in publications from colonial contexts. In this manner, the original contexts of use and the instrumentalization of these images become evident. By automatically recognizing recurring image patterns relating to people, objects and places, it will be possible to display the places where the photographs were taken on maps with an additional timeline. A general improvement in data management will ensure the project’s sustainability for future generations of users.
The resulting multilingual internet portal should be publicly accessible by the end of 2027 and support the reappraisal of German colonial history. The collection contains depictions of various forms of violence within an imbalance of power between the colonizers and the colonized. For this reason, ethical questions concerning presentation and use are being discussed with colleagues, researchers and stakeholders from the countries of origin. Despite the originally propagandistic contexts, the photographs have great potential for reinterpretation by the aforementioned interest groups. The aim is to achieve a balance between transparent accessibility and a respectful approach to the people photographed.
About Johann Christian Senckenberg University Library (UB JCS)
With its extensive holdings and collections, the JCS University Library is one of the most important academic libraries in Germany. It combines the functions of a university library with numerous regional responsibilities, acts as an academic library for the city of Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region as well as a principal library within the supra-regional literature and information supply. https://www.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/
About the Multimodal Modelling and Machine Learning research group (Prof. Ralph Ewerth) at Philipps-Universität Marburg
Prof. Ewerth's research group at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Philipps-Universität Marburg was founded in April 2025. It is one of three newly established AI professorships that were created together with the Hessian Centre for Artificial Intelligence (hessian.AI). The working group concentrates on the development and improvement of machine learning methods for analyzing images, videos and multimodal information. Another focus is on methods for improving (multimodal) search engines using generative AI models and on interdisciplinary applications.
General contact for press enquiries:
Melanie Baunemann, Library Communications & Exhibitions Department
Tel. +49 (69) 798 39212
E-mail: kom@ub.uni-frankfurt.de
Editor: Dr. Dirk Frank, Press Officer/ Deputy Press Spokesperson, PR & Communications Office, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Tel.: +49 (0)69/798-13753, frank@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
New DFG Project on the Study of Brick Stamps in Roman Trier
Building Material for an Ancient Metropolis
Trier developed into a major economic and political center in the Roman Empire's northern provinces, which as a result saw extensive construction activity, including the widespread use of fired bricks. By analyzing stamps on preserved bricks, researchers from Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, Goethe University Frankfurt, and the Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA) are investigating how the production and distribution of ancient building materials were organized in northern Gaul. The interdisciplinary project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with a grant of €340,000, will run for two years.
Trier flourished in the 4th century AD, when Roman emperors resided in the city. Monumental buildings such as the Imperial Baths and the Basilica of Constantine still bear witness to this era. The construction materials included fired bricks of various formats, used for walls, roofs, and heating systems. Approximately 4,000 stamped bricks from the Roman period are stored in the depots of Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe's (GDKE) Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier. Excavated since the early 20th century, this collection is among the largest from the northern Roman provinces. However, only a small portion has been studied to date. A team of researchers from the museum, Goethe University Frankfurt, and LEIZA now aims to systematically analyze them. Their goal is to gain insights into brick production as a key economic sector in the expansion of ancient Trier. “We assume that most of the stamped bricks date from Late Antiquity. This allows us to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how building ceramics were produced and used during this period," says Dr. Thomas Schmidts, a private lecturer at Goethe University and conservator in the “Roman Archaeology" area of competence at LEIZA in Mainz. “Brick stamps are also key to understanding the economic and social structures of Late Antiquity," he adds.
A key project focus is the spatial distribution of the bricks, which will help researchers trace the architectural development of Augusta Treverorum, the Roman Trier, which became known as Treveris in Late Antiquity. The study may reveal previously unknown state and public construction projects. Additionally, the researchers plan to quantify the efforts involved in late antique brick production, transportation, and construction. For the first time, archaeometric analyses will be conducted on Trier's bricks, examining their material composition – specifically, the chemical composition of the clay – to determine the raw materials used. This will allow researchers to identify or confirm the existence of specific workshops.
“We are very pleased that our joint proposal was successful in the competitive DFG process. A broad methodological spectrum is not just typical of LEIZA, it also is increasingly important to gaining groundbreaking new insights," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Alexandra W. Busch, General Director of LEIZA. “The project's findings will not only expand our knowledge of late antique building ceramics but also serve as a model study that integrates archaeological and archaeometric methodologies, helping us reconstruct Trier's historical development."
The project, titled “The Roman Brick Stamps of Trier – A Contribution to Research on the Organization of Ancient Building Ceramics Production and Distribution for the Expansion of a Metropolis in Northern Gaul," has been awarded €340,000 in funding by the DFG for two years. In addition to Dr. Thomas Schmidts, the project's lead applicants are Prof. Dr. Markus Scholz from Goethe University's Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Dr. Marcus Reuter, Director of Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, which is part of the General Directorate for Cultural Heritage Rhineland-Palatinate (Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, GDKE).
The project is also part of the “Research Focus on Roman Archaeology and Maritime Antiquity (FoRuM)" in Rhineland-Palatinate, a strategic research alliance between LEIZA, the University of Trier, and GDKE, dedicated to cutting-edge research on antiquity.
Link to the DFG project site: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/544457866?language=en
Scientific Contact:
PD Dr. Thomas Schmidts
Area of Competence: Roman Archaeology
Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA)
Tel. +49 (0)6131 8885 322 | Mail: thomas.schmidts@leiza.de
LEIZA Press Office | Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie
Christina Nitzsche M.A.
Tel.: +49 (0) 6131 8885 179 | Mail: christina.nitzsche@leiza.de
Editor: Dr. Anke Sauter, Science Editor, PR & Communication Office, Tel: +49 (0)69 798-13066, Fax: +49 (0) 69 798-763 12531, sauter@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
Research Unit Focuses on Power and Abuse in the Church / Second Funding Phase of the Center for Advanced Studies on Polycentricity and Plurality of Premodern Christianities
Goethe University Acquires Two New DFG Research Groups
Goethe University Frankfurt has been awarded another humanities research unit funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG): The unit, titled “Power and Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church," will investigate the conditions that facilitate abuse and how they can be prevented. Additionally, the Center for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences “Polycentricity and Plurality of Premodern Christianities" has secured follow-up funding for its study of Christianity from the first to the eighteenth century.
FRANKFURT. How do power and abuse develop, particularly within the Catholic Church? What defines this power, and how does it function? These questions have long been a research focus at Goethe University's Faculty of Roman Catholic Theology. An interdisciplinary research team will now intensify its work on this topic with additional support: The German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) has approved the research unit “Power and Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church – Interdisciplinary Critique and Analysis" which brings together experts from theology, religious studies, philosophy of religion, law, and educational sciences. The group is led by Prof. Anja Middelbeck-Varwick, a religious studies scholar and Catholic theologian. “The issue of power and powerlessness in the Church has gained particular urgency due to the countless cases of abuse that have come to light in Germany since 2010. That is why this topic has been a major focus for our faculty. As an interdisciplinary research unit, we now have even greater strength and focus to address these issues – something we are very pleased about," she says.
The researchers approach the topic from various disciplinary perspectives, structured into three clusters: (1) Vulnerability and Systemic Conditions – examining the factors that make individuals and institutions susceptible to abuse; (2) Orders and Structures of Power – investigating institutional power dynamics; and (3) Theological Foundations of Power Imbalances and Abuse – analyzing underlying legal frameworks and thought structures that may enable or reinforce abuse. Questions revolve around what typical perpetrator-victim structures look like and what factors contribute to their becoming taboo or being covered up. The project also aims to apply its findings beyond the Church, contributing to broader efforts to combat and prevent abuse. The unit's members include Prof. Sabine Andresen (education specialist and former chair of Germany's Independent Commission for Child Sexual Abuse Issues), Prof. Ute Sacksofsky (constitutional law expert), and Prof. Christoph Mandry (ethics scholar). The research will initially be funded for four years, with the possibility of a four-year extension.
Follow-up funding for Center for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences
The Center for Advanced Studies “Polycentricity and Plurality of Premodern Christianities", first launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, will continue its work. The Center explores the diversity of Christian groups up to the eighteenth century. Traditionally, historical research has projected the highly centralized church structures of the nineteenth century onto earlier periods, neglecting the actual complexity of premodern Christianity. Terms such as “confession“ or “church" do not fully capture the reality of these historical Christian communities, hence the introduction of the term “Christianities." Unlike institutionalized churches, these Christianities are seen as interactive communities that defined themselves through their connection to Jesus Christ while maintaining identities distinct from other groups. These communities evolved dynamically, sometimes alongside or in opposition to formal church structures, which incidentally also grew out of these communities. Religious centers developed at times outside well-known church centers.
The first phase of funding has already produced several publications. In 2022, the Center welcomed displaced historians from Ukraine. Initially, they were funded through the Center's own resources, later with the support of the Gerda Henkel Foundation, and eventually as DFG Fellows. “These colleagues are a tremendous enrichment to our research. Ukraine has historically had a remarkable religious diversity. Before the Russian full-scale invasion, we had planned a research trip to the region. We hope that our collaboration will lead to lasting research partnerships with Ukrainian scholars," says Prof. Birgit Emich, an early modern historian and spokesperson for the Center. For the second phase, Prof. Hartmut Leppin, a scholar of early Christianity, will join the project. This next stage will involve external experts in the completion of a three-volume compendium, which will offer insights into the religious and social practices of the time. More details can be found at: https://www.poly-unifrankfurt.de/.
"I am very pleased about both funding approvals – the Research Unit and the Center for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science research at Goethe University holds great potential, which will now gain even more momentum and visibility. These two programs promise entirely new perspectives, both in terms of the past and the future of our society," says Prof. Bernhard Brüne, Vice President Research at Goethe University.
Research Units and Centers for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences
Funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG), Research Units (Forschungsgruppen) consist of small teams of scholars working together on a specific research question that cannot be solved individually. The funding program has existed since 1962 and was called Forschergruppe until 2018. It particularly aims to support international and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers as well as early-career academics.
Centers for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (Kolleg-Forschungsgruppen) are a DFG funding program specifically designed for research in the humanities and social sciences. These centers bring together distinguished scholars to advance a specific research topic at a single location. The chosen topic should correspond with local research strengths and provide a framework for integrating individual research ideas. “Polycentricity and Plurality" is currently Goethe University's only Center for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Further information
Prof. Dr. Anja Middelbeck-Varwick
Professor of Theology
Goethe University Frankfurt
Tel. +49 (0)69 798-33347 (Manager Dean's Office Dr. Carmen Nols)
E-Mail middelbeck@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Prof. Dr. Birgit Emich
Historisches Seminar
Goethe University Frankfurt
Tel. +49 (0)69 798-32595
E-Mail emich@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Editor: Dr. Anke Sauter, Science Editor, PR & Communication Office, Tel: +49 (0)69 798-13066, Fax: +49 (0) 69 798-763 12531, sauter@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de
Boost for the Startup Scene in the Rhine-Main Region
Four Universities and Futury Launch the Future Factory
- The Future Factory has set itself the ambitious goal of establishing 1,000 new startups by 2030.
- Structured startup programs provide founders with direct access to funding, industry, and coaching from top experts.
- Participation in the “Startup Factories" flagship competition by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) opens up additional funding opportunities and strengthens national competitiveness.
FRANKFURT. – The Rhine-Main startup ecosystem is gaining momentum: Four leading universities – Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Technical University of Darmstadt, and Frankfurt School of Finance & Management – together with Futury, are launching the Future Factory, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering academic entrepreneurship in the region. This initiative strengthens the link between academic research, education, and entrepreneurial practice, ensuring that promising innovations are successfully translated into market-ready business ventures.
At the heart of Futury – The Future Factory is a strong commitment to entrepreneurship. By promoting an entrepreneurial mindset at universities, the initiative aims to support students and researchers on their journey to becoming entrepreneurs, transforming innovative business models into viable companies. With structured programs covering every stage – from company formation and product development to market entry and financing – Futury provides startups with access to leading industry networks, capital, and expert coaching.
Universities as Drivers of Innovation
As part of this commitment, Frankfurt School, previously the sole owner of Futury GmbH, has transferred 45% of its shares to the three Rhine-Main Universities (RMU). Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and TU Darmstadt now each hold a 15% stake in Futury, solidifying their dedication to bridging academia and business, and bringing startup initiatives further into focus.
By joining forces with Futury, these institutions are expanding their support for research-driven startups and reinforcing the Rhine-Main region as Germany's leading startup and innovation hub. With a shared vision of 1,000 new startups by 2030, they are laying the foundation for long-term success.
Fast-Tracking Startups from Idea to Market
Futury supports young talent and startups in transforming their ideas into market-ready solutions. A key focus is on university-based and science-driven ideas and their transition into successful spin-offs. Through structured programs – from training and knowledge transfer to pilot projects – industry expertise and expert coaching are integrated into startup ideas from day one.
“Our goal is to develop startups faster, more efficiently, and more sustainably. By creating a structured and industry-connected startup program, we are fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs," says Charlie Müller, Futury Managing Director and Co-Founder.
A key pillar of Future Factory's success is its strong network. More than 100 leading industry partners – including Bain & Company, Deutsche Bank, and Procter & Gamble – have collaborated with Futury since its founding in 2015, supporting entrepreneurs in developing and implementing their business ideas. These partners offer expertise and also provide direct access to markets, industry expertise, and strategic mentorship – critical factors in building scalable, sustainable business models. With an extensive industry network spanning multiple sectors, the Future Factory ensures innovation thrives across diverse fields.
The Development of Futury – Based on a Proven Track Record of Success
Futury has already demonstrated the impact of structured startup support. Since 2015, it has helped 120 startups successfully bring their ideas to market, demonstrating the potential of targeted founder support.
Some of the successful startups include Formo, a FoodTech startup revolutionizing the food industry with precision fermentation to create animal-free dairy products; Recyda, a company developing digital tools to assess packaging recyclability, supporting businesses in transitioning to more sustainable materials; and Circolution, a digital reusable system for the grocery retail sector, which successfully entered the market with Futury's support.
Futury Capital has raised €80 million in investment capital since 2018, backing startups such as Energy Robotics, which specializes in autonomous inspection solutions using robotics; Wingcopter, a pioneer in drone-based medical supply delivery; and Magnotherm, a heat storage startup spun out of TU Darmstadt. These startups serve as examples to the innovative power that can be unlocked through targeted support and reliable partnerships.
“These success stories prove that strong collaboration between academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem leads to the development of sustainable, high-impact businesses," says Futury Managing Director Melissa Ott. “With the combined expertise of our university partners and Futury, we are now scaling this innovation ecosystem to significantly increase the number of technology-driven spin-offs."
National Recognition: Future Factory Competes in BMWK's “Startup Factories" Competition
To further increase national visibility and secure additional funding, Futury and its partner universities are competing in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)'s “Startup Factories" competition. This high-profile competition supports innovation hubs across Germany, offering funding opportunities and national exposure. The combined expertise and resources of the partners make the Future Factory a strong contender with a compelling concept and long-term impact for the entire region. The final application submission is set for April 30, 2025.
Statements from the universities' presidents
Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl, President TU Darmstadt:
“As a technical university, supporting spin-offs is part of our DNA. With our HIGHEST innovation and startup center, we have developed best-in-class startup management strategies, such as our 'IP for Shares' model. Through our involvement in Futury GmbH, we become part of an even larger, high-performance innovation ecosystem. We look forward to further strengthening the bridge between top-level research and innovation. Our shared goal: 1,000 new startups by 2030, making the Rhine-Main region Germany's leading startup and innovation hub."
Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch, President Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz:
“Innovative startups don't emerge in isolation – they need a strong network of academia, industry, and society. That's exactly where the Future Factory comes in: it unites universities, companies, and founders on one platform to bring future technologies to market faster."
Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff, President Goethe University Frankfurt:
“As a university founded by society for society, Goethe University sees transforming research into real-world solutions as part of its DNA. Together with our RMU partners, we are bridging science and business. The Rhine-Main region, with its high density of research institutions and innovative companies, has the potential to become a leading innovation hub in Europe. With the Future Factory's fast-track processes, structured financing, and extensive industry partnerships, we are opening direct access to markets for new startups."
Prof. Dr. Nils Stieglitz, President of Frankfurt School of Finance & Management:
“To remain competitive, the region needs a new entrepreneurial spirit. Successful startups require scientific expertise, research, and technology – but most of all, young talent who want to make a difference, who are willing to take risks, and who understand how startups work. Futury will inspire, support, and empower the next generation of founders."
About Futury – The Future Factory
Futury is an innovation platform that connects companies and startups to tackle transformative challenges and promote sustainable innovation. Futury supports talents and startups throughout their entire lifecycle: from idea development to scaling. Futury's unique ecosystem rapidly translates business ideas and research findings into practice. Futury is backed by the Rhine-Main Universities (Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, TU Darmstadt) and Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Transfer centers such as HIGHEST, Unibator, Startup Center Mainz, and Frankfurt School's Entrepreneurship Centre are fully integrated to efficiently support startups.
By combining academic expertise, industrial partnerships, and investor networks, Futury fast-tracks innovation and enables rapid access to knowledge, capital, and pilot projects. As a gravitational center for innovation, Futury connects science, business, and entrepreneurs, creating solutions for a competitive future.
Press Contact
Fink & Fuchs
Friederike Kalweit
Tel.: +49 (0)611 74131 35
Mail: futury@finkfuchs.de
Images for download: https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/169735314
Captions:
Photo 1: The presidents of the four universities in the Rhine-Main region together with the two managing directors of Futury – The Future Factory. From left to right: Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), Prof. Dr. Nils Stieglitz (Frankfurt School of Finance & Management), Melissa Ott (Managing Director, Futury), Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff (Goethe University Frankfurt), Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl (Technical University of Darmstadt), and Charlie N. Müller (Managing Director, Futury). ©Micha Ruppert, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Photo 2: At today's press conference, the managing directors of Futury, together with the four university presidents, explained what lies behind the joint project of the Future Factory. From left to right: Charlie N. Müller (Managing Director, Futury), Melissa Ott (Managing Director, Futury), Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl (Technical University of Darmstadt), Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff (Goethe University Frankfurt), and Prof. Dr. Nils Stieglitz (Frankfurt School of Finance & Management). ©Micha Ruppert, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Editor: Volker Schmidt, Head of PR & Communications Office, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt, Tel.: +49 (0)69/798-13035, v.schmidt@em.uni-frankfurt.de
- Studying at Goethe University
- International applicants
- Faculties
- Overview of study programmes
- Programme for refugees
- GRADE
- Goethe Business School (continuing education)
- Research at Goethe University
- Forschung Frankfurt - Goethe University Science Magazine
- Scientific news
- Goethe Welcome Center (for international researchers)
- Collaborative research projects
- Individual research
- Visiting fellowships
- Endowed chairs
- About the University
- News-in-brief
- University administration
- Campus locations
- Campus life
- University archives (German)
- Rhine-Main-Universities