TUM establishes innovation hub for security and defense

The Technische Universität München class, together with the Bundeswehr University Munich and 15 other partners, has founded the "TUM Security and Defense Alliance". This innovation hub is being established at the TUM Campus Ottobrunn-Taufkirchen and will consolidate activities in the fields of security and defense technologies. 

The alliance primarily strengthens the institutional anchoring of dual-use and defense startups within the existing ecosystem. Young companies in the fields of aerospace, sensor technology, cybersecurity, or unmanned systems will gain more direct access to research infrastructure, industrial partners, and potential application areas through the new structure.

In addition to the Technical University of Munich and the University of the German Federal Armed Forces Munich, established and younger companies are among the 17 partners from research, industry and the Munich startup ecosystem, including 

• Airbus Defence and Space
• Diehl Defence
• Helsing
• Hensoldt
• Industrial plant operating company
• Isar Aerospace
• MBDA Germany
• MTU Aero Engines
• Neuraspace
• Quantum Systems
• Resaro Europe
• Rohde & Schwarz
• SAP SE
• TUM Venture Lab Aerospace / Defense
• Tytan Technologies

Focus on application-oriented research

The TUM Security and Defense Alliance covers the domains of air, space, land, sea, and cyber and information space, and aims to better connect basic research, application-oriented development, and entrepreneurial implementation. Furthermore, the alliance is intended to strengthen European security and defense capabilities as well as technological sovereignty.

Thomas F. Hofmann, President of TUM, says:

"Those who want to secure peace must be able to defend it."

The alliance will create an innovation ecosystem for greater European security. The goal is to "responsibly and efficiently translate cutting-edge research and marketable innovations into deployable capabilities".

Networking of science, industry and startups

For startups, the focus on early validation, demonstrators, and testing infrastructures is particularly relevant. A key focus is on supporting startups in the dual-use and defense sectors. The alliance sees itself as a platform to support research-based spin-offs and to connect existing young companies more closely with established industry partners. The connection to the TUM Venture Labs is intended to facilitate spin-offs and accelerate the transfer of research results into marketable products.

Eva-Maria Kern, President of the Bundeswehr University Munich, also emphasizes the role of security and defense research for Europe:

"Through the TUM Security and Defense Alliance, we can pool expertise with strong partners and put knowledge into action: for a free, secure and resilient Europe."

Bavaria's Science Minister Markus Blume also sees the initiative as a strategic step for Bavaria as a business location. From the perspective of Munich's startup scene, the political support underscores that security-relevant technologies are increasingly being recognized as an economic and innovation policy factor.

With its establishment, the Munich startup ecosystem in the security and defense sector gains an institutional framework. For startups in the dual-use sector, the alliance can become a central access point for collaborations, infrastructure, and visibility.