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Triathlon – Integrated Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer
Translating research into business success
Saarland University is one of the leaders in the field of knowledge transfer and is driving innovation in the region and beyond. Triathlon is a central service unit located on campus that offers a dynamic platform for promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer. By connecting academic and scientific research with the business sector and with wider society, Triathlon is creating an innovations-driven ecosystem that supports aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and established companies. Through its close collaboration with industrial partners, policymakers and the wider community, Triathlon is helping to strengthen the region's competitiveness while promoting sustainable economic development.
Supporting young entrepreneurs
Triathlon helps students, researchers and companies to develop their innovative ideas and successfully bring them to market. In addition to providing the relevant infrastructure and access to professional networks, Triathlon offers a full range of support services, including a broad portfolio of taught courses, business consulting for start-ups, individual coaching, start-up development and business mentoring.
Connecting science and business
Scientific and academic research is the engine of change. Part of Triathlon's core mission is to help bring university research into the wider public realm while at the same time showing companies how they can become more actively involved at and with the university. Triathlon is a driver of transformation – initiating and nurturing cooperation between academia and the business and industrial sectors.
Protecting intellectual property
Triathlon's technology transfer office secures legal protection for the intellectual property created at Saarland University and provides support across all areas of technology management and patent exploitation in a university context. In addition to its recognized consulting expertise, the team runs workshops covering core aspects of intellectual property management.
Saarland University Innovation Center: A hub of creativity, activity and cooperation
The Innovation Center at Saarland University is the heart of Triathlon – serving as an interdisciplinary hub for researchers, companies and students. This is where academia and industry meet on equal terms, identifying and exploring the synergies that lay the foundations for new technological developments and innovative business models. In addition to co-working spaces, a Fab Lab and event spaces, the Innovation Center offers community networking, workshops and talks on emerging trends and frontier topics.
A pioneering role in Germany
As early as 1995, Saarland University was the first university in Germany to establish a business incubator and start-up centre, and in 2013, we were one of the first to be recognized as an EXIST Entrepreneur University. Since then, we have consistently ranked among the top ten in the 'Start-Up Radar' league tables published by the 'Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft' – an association that supports science and higher education in Germany.