The IZB in Martinsried has been in existence since 1995. Since then, the innovation center for biotechnology has spawned numerous successful companies, including Morphosys, Amsilk GmbH, Exosome, and a host of other major names in the field. It's no wonder, then, that capacity utilization remains consistently at 100 percent. We took a closer look to find out the IZB's recipe for success.
Please introduce yourselves briefly!
The IZB mbH Promotional SocietyFounded in 1995, it operates the biotechnology innovation and start-up centers in Planegg-Martinsried and Freising-Weihenstephan and has developed into one of the top ten biotechnology centers in the world. More than 60 biotech companies with over 650 employees are located on 26,000 square meters.
The Planegg-Martinsried location now houses startups specializing in medical biotechnology on 23,000 square meters. The IZB in Freising-Weihenstephan has been offering optimal conditions for life science startups on 3,000 square meters since 2002. The IZB GmbH team consists of 15 people, and the IZB Residence CAMPUS AT HOME team consists of 10 people.
Competent and flexible contact for over 20 years
The following services help startups advance quickly at the IZB:
– On-site property management
– Location marketing and press and public relations for IZB and startups
– Faculty Club G2B for networking on campus
– IZB Residence CAMPUS AT HOME for guests of the Martinsried campus
– Restaurant SEVEN AND MORE and Café/Restaurant Freshmaker
– Elhardt Chemistry School
– Conference Location IZB for startups and external customers
– Biotech Press Lounge (3 times a year) and IZBrunch (monthly) as regular networking events
What do you focus on when working with startups?
For a startup to be accepted into the IZB, it is important that it has relevant activities in the field of biotechnology. The idea and business plan should also be convincing. This also depends primarily on the personality and persuasiveness of the entrepreneur. Since the IZB has been 100 percent booked for years, it is important to contact us in a timely manner to avoid having to wait too long for new space to be allocated.
To be successful, a startup must…
… have a well-developed business plan, define corporate goals smartly and implement them with commitment and the right cooperation partners … and the founding team must be passionate about their idea.
Why does a good startup need a startup center or you to support them?
With 20 years of experience, we are a competent and flexible contact for all questions related to founding a biotech company. We also find a solution for all startup requirements, whether it's finding investors or the right cooperation partners. The newly created Faculty Club G2B (Gateway to Biotech) allows top researchers at the Martinsried campus to network in a relaxed atmosphere. The IZB also offers a platform for networking events such as the monthly IZBrunch and the Biotech Press Lounges held three times a year, providing a platform for getting to know each other and jointly launching new projects.
What is the biggest mistake a startup can make?
Starting a business without having established a legal entity. Without establishing a GmbH, the entrepreneur is personally liable. And believing that you can secure financing in a few weeks – it takes a year!
The trend of the year is…
A beer in the FacultyClub G2B with a view of the entire Bavarian Alpine panorama.
What characteristics make the Munich startup scene/the IZB so special?
A key criterion for the success of the IZB is its proximity to the cutting-edge research of the Ludwig Maximilian University and the renowned biotechnology research institutions on the Martinsried campus, such as the Max Planck Institutes for Neurobiology and Biochemistry, the Helmholtz Center, the Gene Center and the Großhadern Hospital.
You can find all institutes here.
Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Dr. Peter Hanns Zobel, Managing Director IZB
E-mail: office@izb-online.de
Phone: 089/5527948-0
