Innovation ecosystem

In 2026, a series of cluster workshops will be held in cooperation with the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation, and everyone interested is cordially invited to attend!

Dates: March 31, June 17, September 30, November 24, from 9–11 a.m. at Gutbrod in Stuttgart.

In the workshop, you’ll develop a personalized quick check for your field of work and learn how you can tap into biointelligence for your company or department together with S-TEC!

An invitation and registration form will follow.

The S-TEC project “The Biointelligence Engine” is a new center for bio-intelligent value creation in Stuttgart that supports companies in applying biointelligence to products, processes, and business models. Goal and Basic Concept: The center aims to establish and accelerate an innovation ecosystem for the biological transformation of industry. At its core is the convergence of biology, hardware, and software (“bio-intelligent value creation”) to enable more efficient processes, resilient products, and sustainable business models.

Services and Activities

• Supporting companies in integrating biology, engineering, and computer science—from initial “quick checks” to feasibility studies and prototypes.
• Development and implementation of funded projects in collaboration with research institutions and industry partners.
• Formats such as summer schools, lecture series, innovation internships, conferences, and networking events to integrate biointelligence into education and decision-making processes.

The center is part of Stuttgart’s S-TEC Technology and Innovation Campus and is supported by Fraunhofer Institutes (including IPA and IGB) as well as institutes at the Universities of Stuttgart and Hohenheim. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs is funding “The Biointelligence Engine” with approximately 8.9 million euros in ERDF funds; the project is expected to run until the end of 2027.

Key Focus Areas
Life Sciences & Nutrition, AgriTech & FoodTech, Process and Manufacturing Industries, as well as IT and Automation. Bio-intelligent systems are thus expected to contribute to resource-efficient, environmentally sustainable solutions, particularly in areas such as health, nutrition, energy, housing, and consumer goods.

Under the coordination of the Plant Foods Division and in collaboration with the Bioeconomy Office, twelve divisions of the Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, the Phytopathology Division, and the Research Funding Office at the University of Hohenheim, 1.1 million euros were secured to establish a new research platform.

The C.A.T.A.L.I.S.T. project is establishing the Hohenheim Cellular Agriculture Platform. This platform can integrate all agricultural products using biotechnology and sustainable methods in line with a “food-first” strategy, and employs scalable bioreactor systems for the bacterial and fungal-based precision fermentation of functional, safe, and healthy foods and food ingredients. The Department of Phytopathology is integrating the platform into its own bioreactor-based research activities.

C.A.T.A.L.I.S.T. is supported by the Stuttgart Bioeconomy Innovation Ecosystem, which will serve as a strong partner in the use of the transfer and scaling infrastructure, acting as both a project partner and a practical partner.

C.A.T.A.L.I.S.T. is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts and co-financed by the European Union.

LINK to C.A.T.A.L.I.S.T. 

Pop-up Space Region Stuttgart (March–September 2025)

The “Re:Thinking – Experience the Circular Economy” event was a pop-up space on Königstraße in Stuttgart where the circular economy and bioeconomy were made visible and tangible to the general public. Across more than 300 square meters, companies, universities, and initiatives from the region presented their solutions for circular value creation—such as urban farming, recyclable building materials, and bio-based packaging—supplemented by exhibitions, workshops, hands-on stations, and networking events.

The Pop-up Space brought together stakeholders from business, academia, government, and civil society in a central location, promoted the exchange of knowledge, and fostered new collaborations. The Pop-up Space served as a low-threshold interface between research and practice, increased the visibility of the circular economy and the bioeconomy, and supported the development of a regional network for sustainable, circular business models and technologies.

LINK to the report

Food System Revolution

The New Food Festival Stuttgart took place for the second time in 2025. Under the theme “Food System (R)Evolution,” approximately 50 exhibitors and 400 participants gathered at the University of Hohenheim from March 4 to 6. Among them were startups and companies from the agricultural and food industries, the restaurant sector, retail, and research, as well as investors from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The main organizer of the business conference and trade fair is the crowdfoods association. Co-initiators and supporters include the Economic Development Agency of the State Capital Stuttgart, the Economic Development Agency Region Stuttgart GmbH, and the University of Hohenheim.

LINK to the event website