Networks

Collaborations

The transfer of scientific results into practice and close cooperation with network partners is a decisive factor that makes the HGI a success.

The HGI collaborates with the most important research institutions worldwide, including UC San Diego, ETH Zurich, KU Leuven and the Weizmann Institute. In addition, cooperation and transfer activities are underway with leading global companies such as Google, IBM, Intel and Bosch.

Beyond that, a unique ecosystem has formed around the HGI, which has produced an abundance of successful startups. Meanwhile, Bochum is a leader in spin-offs in the field of IT security. Those interested in founding their own companies and future entrepreneurs are supported by our founding incubator Cube 5 (funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research).

Moreover, companies such as ESCRYPT, Secunet or G DATA, which employ a large number of our graduates*, are located near the HGI. Further, the job fair ITS.Connect offers an excellent platform for companies to get in contact with graduates of the HGI.

Young Businesses

Since its foundation, the HGI has produced almost 20 young companies, making it one of the leaders in Germany in the field of IT security. The companies were founded by students, doctoral students and professors of the institute with technologies based on research conducted at HGI.

The young companies are extremely successful. E. g. the first generation – zynamics, Sirrix and ESCRYPT – have been acquired by large companies such as Google, Rohde & Schwarz and Bosch.

In order to be able to support current and future founders in a more systematic and targeted manner, the Cube 5 project was established here as an incubator for IT security startups funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

What others are saying about the HGI

With its expertise in the field of IT security and its far-reaching startup scene, Bochum is an ideal place for founders in the IT sector. We were supported excellently by the HGI and can look back on a successful startup founding thanks to the many people and funding.

Martina Schuster
Founder of ai.dopt

With Europe's largest training program in IT security, excellent cutting-edge research and a unique start-up ecosystem, Bochum offers the ideal environment for IT security start-ups.

Dr. Carsten Willems
Founder of VMRay

As the largest educational institution for IT security, the HGI is of essential importance to German IT security. We at secunet are among those who profit from the HGI’s work and we end up hiring many of their graduates.

Dr. Rainer Baumgart
Chief Executive Officer (until 2019), secunet Security Networks AG

The foundation of my own start-up company has resulted in a steep learning curve - beyond my studies and doctorate. Thanks to the professional support of other founders, scientists and professors at HGI, PHYSEC today is a successful company in the IT security market.

Dr. Christian Zenger
Founder of PHYSEC

For G DATA Software AG, the HGI is more than just a capable partner in the most critical areas of IT and data security. Its research is world-class and the comprehensive education it provides produces global leaders in the field.

Ralf Benzmüller
Executive Speaker G DATA SecurityLabs

Startup Incubator Cube 5

The Cube 5 incubator supports people interested in founding a company and startups in the field of IT security and future communication systems (6G). The focus is on spin-offs from research with prospects of success in the B2B sector. Cube 5 is the contact for the StartUpSecure and StartUpConnect funding programs of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). With StartUpSecure and StartUpConnect, the BMBF has established funding platforms for startup teams and young companies. The initiatives are intended to significantly increase the chances of success and innovation output in the fields of IT security and future communication systems (6G) and promote successful projects.

Cube 5 Offers

From the initial idea to the conception and implementation of a business model: Cube 5 supports young entrepreneurs with expertise in the startup sector, tailor-made offers and sustainable support programs. A highly developed ecosystem of companies and institutions provides the ideal breeding ground for innovative business ideas and young companies.

Learn more

Funding Programs

The Cube 5 team advises and supports founding teams and startups throughout Germany in applying for both funding programs and accompanies them throughout the entire process. Participation takes place in two independent funding phases.

Find out more about StartUpSecure

Find out more about StartUpConnect

BITSI e.V.

A lot has happened in Bochum's IT world in recent years: Bochum has developed into a unique ecosystem of computer science and IT security. In addition to over 200 researchers and 2000 students, countless successful start-ups have been founded in Bochum and companies have settled in Bochum. Therefore, in 2022, the Bochum Association for the Promotion of IT Security and Computer Science - BITSI e.V. for short - was founded. The association's mission is to combine the forces of this ecosystem, to expand the alumni network, to facilitate the exchange between science and business, and to sustainably support research and teaching.

eurobits e.V.

Since 1999, eurobits e.V. has been promoting technology transfer in the area of IT security and information security between science and industry - in the Ruhr Area and beyond. Its members include leading research institutes, established companies in the industry as well as young growth companies. The HGI is a founding member of eurobits e.V. and has always been closely involved in the association's activities and supports the goals of eurobits e.V.

Since 2017 the eurobits Excellence Award has been awarded annually. The prize, which is endowed with 1,000 €, is awarded annually for the preparation of a final thesis, which, in addition to scientific excellence, must have high practical relevance for applications in IT security/information security.

Alumni

The HGI trains young academics at the highest international level: 18 of our former doctoral students and postdocs are now professors themselves in Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Great Britain, the United Arab Emirates and the USA. Many other alumni are now working in leading positions in industry and public institutions worldwide.

Become part of the LinkedIn group of the HGI Alumni