Jetzt bewerben: Innovationspreis Niedersachsen 2026
Der Innovationspreis Niedersachsen zeichnet auch in diesem Jahr wieder herausragende Projekte aus Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft aus, die Zukunft gestalten und die Transformation aktiv vorantreiben â technologisch, nachhaltig und praxisnah. đĄ
Eine Bewerbung bringt dabei weit mehr als nur die Chance auf eine Auszeichnung:
1ïžâŁ Professioneller Imagefilm fĂŒr alle sechs nominierten Projekte
2ïžâŁ Preisgeld von 20.000 ⏠fĂŒr die Gewinnerinnen und Gewinner
3ïžâŁ Hohe Sichtbarkeit fĂŒr Ihr Projekt auf Landesebene
Als eine der wichtigsten Innovationsauszeichnungen des Landes bietet der Innovationspreis Niedersachsen zudem starke UnterstĂŒtzung: Getragen von dem NiedersĂ€chsisches Ministerium fĂŒr Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Bauen, dem NiedersĂ€chsisches Ministerium fĂŒr Wissenschaft und Kultur und dem Niedersachsen.next Innovationsnetzwerk mit ĂŒber 280 Mitgliedern profitieren die Teilnehmenden von groĂer Reichweite.
Bewerben können sich kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, Start-ups, Konsortien sowie Hochschulen und Forschungseinrichtungen aus Niedersachsen in den Kategorien âSchlĂŒsseltechnologienâ und âWissens- und Technologietransferâ.
đ Hier gehtâs zur Bewerbung: Link in der Bio
đ Bewerbungsschluss: 8. Juni 2026, 17:30 Uhr
đŹđ€ Recap: Munich Lab Automation Community â Episode 15
Yesterday, the Munich Lab Automation Community once again demonstrated what it stands for: open exchange, practical insights into modern laboratory automation â and above all, bringing together people who want to drive this topic forward together.
The community meet-ups are aimed at both experienced automation experts and those who are just beginning to explore the field. Rather than high-gloss presentations, the focus is on genuine conversations, hands-on experiences, and behind-the-scenes insights.
Episode 15 followed this approach exactly:
After short intro sessions by Opentrons Labworks Inc. and the Munich Lab Automation, as well as a demo of Opentrons technology, the evening quickly shifted from listening to connecting. Over drinks and pizza, participants engaged in conversations, shared experiences from everyday lab work, discussed current challenges in automation, and made new connections.
A big thank you to all guests, Bernd Martensen and Opentrons Labworks Inc. for a wonderful evening. Weâre already looking forward to the next episodes and many more inspiring encounters!
#MLabAC #Opentrons #LifeScienceFactory #Networking
âš ELSA Pitch Bowl â the stage is set for life science innovations
The Spring Edition of the ELSA Program has officially kicked off in Göttingen â and with the first check in at the Life Science Factory now completed, the journey towards the ELSA Pitch Bowl has begun.
In this first phase of the program, our teams:
â Exchanged ideas and perspectives
â Took a deep dive into their challenges during 1:1 coaching sessions
â Started shaping their business models with valuable expert input
Two more check ins lie ahead â and they will all lead to one highlight: the ELSA Pitch Bowl, where our 14 teams will present their ideas to a high level investment jury and a broad audience.
The Pitch Bowl is the grand finale of the program. Here, the teams present what they have learned during the three months of the ELSA program and offer a glimpse into the future of life science innovation â driven by ambitious founding teams and supported by qualified coaches, Fraunhofer AHEAD, and Life Science Factory. đ
đ Sheddachhalle at Sartorius Quartier | AnnastraĂe 29, Göttingen
đ 25. June, 2026 | Start: 5:30 p.m.
đ Be part of the finale and register now: Link in bio!
#5 â Life Science Factory Community Solution MeetUP @ GĂ
Itâs time to step out of the lab and into the community! đ§Șđ€
Our next Life Science Factory Community Solution MeetUp in Göttingen is just around the corner. This format is all about real exchange: practical insights, open discussions, and connecting with people who face similar challenges across research, startups, and industry.
Whether you want to listen, discuss, or actively contribute â this meetup is designed to grow with the community.
The evening kicks off with an ice breaking activity and relaxed networking, followed by a flash presentation by Beckman Coulter highlighting the advantages of spectral flow cytometry and how it can elevate modern research workflows. After that, enjoy a shared dinner with the community before joining exclusive Life Science Factory lab tours that offer behind the scenes insights into the Life Science Factory labs.
đĄSidefact: you can not only register for the event, if you'd like to present your innovation or simply need 15 minutes on stage to talk about a topic, then get in touch! also feel free to suggest topics for future Community Solution MeetUps â from discussions and feedback rounds to product insights or pure networking sessions. Because this format lives from what the community brings to the table.
đ Mai 19, 5:00 â 9:00 PM
đLife Science Factory Göttingen
đ Register for the Community Solution MeetUp here: Link in bio
đ Funding-ready? Then mark May 3rd!
Great ideas deserve the right room â and the Investor Days ThĂŒringen 2026 is exactly that.
As official partners, we support selected early-stage startups on their way to a curated pitch stage and direct conversations with investors who actively deploy capital.
What matters now:
â Startup pitch application deadline: May 3rd 2026
â Selected teams benefit from access to targeted 1:1 matchings with investors & early-stage financiers
â Visibility in front of a pre selected, investment active audience
For investors & business angels, #IDT26 offers a focused look at relevant Pre Seed and Seed opportunities â efficient, structured, and grounded in real conversations rather than buzzwords.
đ Pitch Day: June 11th 2026
đ Location: Kontor, Hugo John StraĂe 8, Erfurt
đ Apply: investordays-thueringen.de/bewerbung/
We look forward to a day filled with relevant investment opportunities, targeted discussions, and new partnerships. âš
#IDT26 #StartupFunding #EarlyStageInvesting #PitchDay #VC #AngelInvesting #StartupEcosystem
đ BioVaria â today & tomorrow
Our colleagues are on site at BioVaria, where weâre supporting the event as a Startup Sponsor.
Weâre especially happy to have our colleague Martin contributing his expertise as a member of the jury, supporting the selection of promising life science innovations: âBioVaria is a great opportunity to see how strong science translates into real entrepreneurial potential. Iâm excited to be part of the jury and engage with such inspiring teams.â
If youâre attending BioVaria as well, letâs connect!
Deep Dive â From research to approval: MDR/IVDR compliance without detours with Dr. Sebastian Grömminger
For many scientific founders, the shift from research to regulated product development feels like entering a black box. MDR/IVDR requirements appear overwhelming, timelines unclear, and the path to approval anything but straightforward.
In this Deep Dive, Dr. Sebastian Grömminger sheds light on what truly matters when navigating medical device regulation. Youâll learn how to integrate MDR/IVDR considerations early in development, which documentation actually accelerates approval, and how modern tools can save valuable time and resources.
Dr. Grömminger will break down the three key documents that speed up your regulatory journey, the common mistakes that can delay start-ups by months, and how a smart regulatory strategy can become a genuine competitive advantage.
As Head of Quality & Regulatory at CertHub â an AI-powered compliance platform â and with extensive experience as a former QMB, Principal Consultant, and internal auditor, he brings a dual perspective: understanding both the realities of start-ups and the expectations of Notified Bodies and authorities.
đ April 30, 4:30 â 6:00 PM
đ Register now and join via Microsoft Teams: Link in bio
Because strong science deserves a smooth path to market. âš
The ELSA program is going seasonal â the spring edition kicked off yesterday in Göttingen, Munich up next this fall! đ
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An intense day is behind us and with it, the first major milestone of the very first spring edition of the ELSA program in Göttingen. This marked the initial of three check-ins at the Life Science Factory in Göttingen, focusing on exchange, growth, and team spirit.
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Following an open welcome with intro sessions that immediately set a positive atmosphere and sparked engaging conversations, the teams dove deep into their work. During individual 1:1 coaching sessions, challenges were analyzed, business models refined, and next steps clearly defined.
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More highlights from yesterday:
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âš An insightful input talk on taxes by Tim Zinowsky â including a Q&A session that cleared up many open questions
âš A creative AI Prompt Battle showcasing how versatile and inspiring the use of AI can be
âšRelaxed networking with a food truck in sunny weather at the Sartorius Quarter, offering the perfect setting for new connections and in-depth conversations
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A big thank you to our mentors, speakers, and partners â especially Fraunhofer AHEAD â as well as to the dedicated teams who filled this first day with so much energy.
The foundation is laid and weâre excited for everything thatâs still to come as the ELSA Program continues. Stay tuned!Â
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#lifescience #innovation #coaching #entrepreneurship #ELSAProgram
The next Deep Dive â Hiring in Life Science Start-ups with Jassmin Salsal-Lehnert
Hiring in life science start-ups is uniquely challenging: highly specialized roles, a limited talent pool, and intense competition from established players make attracting the right people far from straightforward.
In this Deep Dive, Jassmin Salsal-Lehnert shares a practical, real world perspective on early-stage recruiting. Instead of theoretical models, the focus is on concrete strategies â from identifying suitable candidates and choosing the right recruitment channels to interview structure and compensation issues.
She shows how startups can estimate realistic hiring timelines, avoid common pitfalls, and design their recruiting processes to make a strong impression even with limited resources.
The session combines structured input with open discussion â driven by your questions and the challenges you currently face in your day-to-day work within the life sciences ecosystem.
đ April 9, 4:30 â 6:00 PM
đ Register now and join via Microsoft Teams: Link in bio
Bring clarity to one of the toughest challenges in early-stage growth: hiring the people who will shape your science. âš
Next up for Histomography: Grand Finale in Frankfurt!đ
We had the great honor of hosting one of the 10 regional pitch rounds for the @oddo_bhf Young Entrepreneurs Award 2026 in Göttingen, with a focus on Life Science Innovations. ODDO BHF, being a bank with entrepreneurial spirit, is dedicated to the vision of supporting young entrepreneurs and creating a nurturing ecosystem. This aligns perfectly with our values at the Life Science Factory, which is why we were excited to co-host this event.
đ The following teams showcased their innovative prowess to the jury:
- CENIOS: Developing rapid tests for the detection of various analytes
- BrainQR: Groundbreaking therapies for Alzheimers
- Myotwin: Revolutionising preclinical cardiac research
- GliTTher: Dedicated to the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest form of brain cancer
- ELPIS Simulation: Assessing the potential risk of stroke for millions of people
- Histomography: Unlocking the the third dimension for histology
- OptoGenTech: Pioneering optical cochlear implants to restore near-natural hearing
- Phaeosynt: Revolutionizing the antibody market with plant-based antibodies produced in diatoms, sustainable and cruelty-free
Standing out in the areas of business model, innovation, team, and pitch, Myotwin and Phaeosynth made it to the top 3, while Histomography claimed the top spot and will advance to the finals, representing our region before the Grand Jury in July. âš
A heartfelt thank you to ODDO BHF, Sarah Sabine Becher & team for orchestrating this successful event, and a special thanks to our regional jury Carlos Figueredo, Christian Grascha, Ellen Goel, Irina Förster, Maurice Motedayen, Julia Winkler, Martin Strehle, Johanna Heise.