The Viessmann Foundation, which represents the core of the philanthropic activities of the Viessmann Generations Group, has committed a seven-digit Euro sum over three years to support TUM Venture Labs. The partnership has an ambitious goal: to increase climate-relevant impact tenfold over the next 10 years, with an emphasis on climate-relevant spin-outs.
With the Foundation's support, the TUM Venture Labs will strengthen their focus on Climate - establishing a clear positioning through the Venture Lab Climate & Circular, addressing key challenges such as greenhouse gas reduction, climate adaptation, renewable energy, and resilience. The Climate & Circular Venture Lab will continue to build and expand strong international ties with leading institutions including Stanford University, MIT, Breakthrough Energy, Imperial College London and the Earthshot Prize.
The twelve TUM Venture Labs each specialize in one important field of technology. They offer start-up teams made up of students, doctoral candidates and senior scientists a direct link to cutting-edge research, specific technical infrastructure, tailored training programs, expertise for the respective market and global networking with the industry and investors.
"Put climate at the very heart of companies"
Max Viessmann, CEO Viessmann Generations Group: "The climate crisis calls for bold entrepreneurs that put climate at the very heart of their companies. Therefore, we are excited to partner with TUM Venture Labs, a joint initiative of TU München and UnternehmerTUM who are building one of Europe's most vibrant ecosystems for deep tech and climate innovation. Together, we believe Munich's strong ecosystem can grow tenfold in climate-relevant activity - and we are committed to helping make that happen."
Philipp Gerbert, CEO TUM Venture Labs: "Our goal at TUM Venture Labs is to mobilize and empower the next generation to build novel scalable solutions addressing climate change, strengthening resilience and moving towards a circular economy. In this endeavor, the global perspective and the business imperative of driving the 'green premium' to zero are critical. We are proud and grateful to join forces with the Viessmann Foundation, a global pioneer in this field, and receive support from their deep expertise and global network."
Lars Eiermann, Chief Sustainable Officer and Managing Director of the Venture Lab Climate & Circular: "Munich's innovation ecosystem - led by TUM and strengthened through partnerships with LMU, Max Planck, Helmholtz, and others - provides an exceptional foundation to transform world-class deep tech research into companies with global climate impact. The Viessmann Foundation shares this entrepreneurial mindset and the determination to truly move the needle - helping our students and researchers turn excellence in science into measurable climate impact."
Philipp Schmaelzle, SVP Innovation, Viessmann Generations Group: "We believe in the powerful flywheel of deep tech, optimism and entrepreneurship, which created industries like solar, wind and batteries. With a climate crisis so real, dire and urgent, our best action is to lean into productive optimism - wherever it is rooted in facts and scaling potential. Through our partnership with TUM Venture Labs, we support students and researchers in aiming their deep tech R&D at climate and bringing innovations into the world through entrepreneurship."
