Three teams have been honored with the TUM IdeAward for their business ideas. They have developed a new method for synthesizing peptides, a disposable sample carrier that accelerates laboratory work, and an electric car for rural areas in Africa. The competition aims to motivate scientists to turn their inventions into marketable products.
46 teams submitted their concepts to the TUM IdeAward. The competition is organized by Technical University of Munich, UnternehmerTUM, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Zeidler Research Foundation, which provides the prize money totaling €37,500. The winners will also participate in coaching sessions with TUM Startup Consulting and UnternehmerTUM.
1st place: mk2 Biotechnologies
The team at mk2 Biotechnologies has developed a biological process for the synthesis of peptides in bacteria. Peptides are relatively short amino acid chains. In combination with other molecules, they can fulfill numerous functions in pharmaceuticals, as well as in food and cosmetics production.
The new process has several advantages: It enables the production of individually designed peptides that are also extremely pure. The process offers higher yields and lower costs than conventional methods. The team plans to develop new product classes with high complexity.
Dr. Konstantinos Antonopoulos, Dr. Marco Giuman, Dr. Christoph Kutzner, and Dr. Sebastian Mangold earned their doctorates at TUM in the fields of biotechnology, chemistry, and economics, respectively, or currently conduct research here (Chair of Biopolymer Chemistry and Wacker Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry). Several professors act as mentors. mk2 Biotechnologies had already received interest from potential customers before the company was founded.
2nd place: ATR Elements
ATR infrared spectroscopy is a widely used method for analyzing a variety of samples. Until now, the sample carriers had to be cleaned after each measurement. The team at ATR Elements has developed a sample carrier that can be produced at significantly lower costs and is therefore disposable. This allows laboratories to test far more samples in the same amount of time.
Furthermore, the use of compact, mobile devices for ATR infrared spectroscopy would be easier. These, in turn, could make the procedure practical for everyday clinical blood analysis. Another advantage is the special surface structure of the sample carrier, which eliminates the need for centrifugation of the blood.
A basic version of the sample carrier is already market-ready. The team plans to establish its company soon and is in close contact with potential customers. Lorenz Sykora laid the foundations for the development in his master's thesis; he currently works at the Walter Schottky Institute for Semiconductor Physics. He participated in the UnternehmerTUM "Manage & More" program. Business graduate Alexander Geißler has already gained experience in another TUM spin-off. The team's application specialist is physicist Anja Müller from the Technical University of Berlin.
3rd place: aCar
Low production costs, robustness and an electric motor that uses solar energy: these are the features that the “aCar"The goal is to make low-income people in remote regions of Africa mobile, thus giving them better access to healthcare, education, and the economy. The car has a basic version that can be expanded with various body types. It can be used as a passenger or cargo vehicle. Its materials are intended to be available in Africa.
The first prototype is complete, and Martin Soltes and Sascha Koberstaedt from the Chair of Automotive Engineering plan to showcase a second one at the International Motor Show (IAA) in September. The next step will be to build a prototype production facility in Germany to optimize processes and costs. The team is collaborating with other TUM chairs, companies, and partners in African countries.
