Entrepreneurship at TU Dortmund University
The International Research and Entrepreneurship Office supports international students and researchers who want to start their businesses here in Dortmund.
Are you dreaming of developing your own business? Do you want to transform your scientific results into a real-world company? Or are you a founder and looking for business opportunities and partners to settle down here in Dortmund. Then find out more about services and contacts at TU Dortmund University on this website!
Start your entrepreneurial journey here in Dortmund: TU Dortmund University offers a broad variety of services to promote entrepreneurial activities, both in academics and in practice aiming to support the transfer of knowledge into the industry and society.
Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer (CET)
The Center for Entrepreneurship & Transfer (CET) bundles all entrepreneurial related activities and expertise at TU Dortmund University. To this end, it combines targeted research with tangible practice: It promotes the teaching of entrepreneurial skills and support students, alumni, and scientists in the implementation of their business ideas or the transfer of their results into the economy.

Get inspired
Entrepreneurial action
Are you interested in building competencies in the areas of agility, entrepreneurship and innovation management? The CET imparts knowledge for entrepreneurial thinking and action. For this purpose, it offers various workshops on topics such as design thinking and agile project management. Find out more about our qualification offers.
Start-up programs
Dreaming of starting your own business? At CET we offer a three-stage start-up program to drive your business forward. You can participate as a team or as an individual founder. In addition, one can start with a simple start-up idea or a validated start-up project. Our incubator leaves nothing to be desired: Workshops & know-how, coaching, mentoring and networking! Find out more about our start-up programs.
Technology programs
Within our technology programs, prospective scientific founders receive particularly intensive training and support. Our portfolio includes several offerings that are oriented to the various steps of a typical start-up process from research or focus on specific topics. We look forward to meeting you and your ideas! Find out more about our technology programs.
Get connected
Consulting for funding programs
Are you looking for funding opportunities to start your business? In personal discussions, we review the potential of your ideas and research results, provide support in drawing up a business plan or advise on funding programs. We are also at your side with help and advice when it comes to patents and other intellectual property rights. Do not hesitate to contact us! Find out more about our consulting services.
Here you will find further information for university related funding programs:
Infrastructure
Good ideas need space. That's why we provide interested founders and young start-ups at CET with infrastructure for developing and testing their products and business models - from MakerSpace to CoWorkingSpaces.
Partner network
Are you looking for opportunities to putting your project into practice or collecting venture capital for your business?
At the CET you benefit from a comprehensive network of regional industry partners ranging from the investors, tech-hubs to corporates and small and medium-sized enterprises. We are your navigator in finding the right partner for your specific needs. Feel free to contact us directly or visit one of our numerous networking events.
Career Services
Looking for a co-founder? Companies and start-ups can use Stellenwerk to bridge the gap between business and science, present themselves as potential employers to the approximately 33,000 students and graduates, and thus recruit qualified junior staff.