Every success story begins with the right environment. For i3 Membrane, that environment was the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).
At the very beginning, support from HZDR played a crucial role. Access to laboratory space, cutting-edge infrastructure, and expert advice allowed the founding team to focus on what mattered most: turning a scientific idea into a real-world application. “It gave us the stability we needed to take our first steps,” the CEO Dr. Stephan Brinke-Seiferth recalls.
The Setback That Changed Everything
The original vision was ambitious: to manufacture metallic membranes using plasma immersion ion implantation technology—hence the name i3 Membrane.
But reality intervened. The approach didn’t work. For many startups, this would have been the end. For i3 Membrane, it was the beginning of a new direction. Instead of abandoning their work, the team pivoted. They began using their expertise to metallize polymer membranes—an adjustment that would ultimately redefine their entire business.
The real breakthrough came unexpectedly: a membrane that performed exceptionally well when operated against its intended flow direction. This surprising discovery opened the door to applications in medical technology. What seemed like failure had, in fact, revealed a completely new opportunity.
From Lab to Life-Saving Applications
This turning point led i3 Membrane into the field of medical technology. Since entering the market in 2017, the company has developed filters that protect high-risk patients from waterborne bacteria—achieving annual revenues of more than €9 million with actually 70 employees.
But the story doesn’t end there. Building on their core technology, the team expanded into new markets:
- In particle detection, i3 Membrane is now a market leader, using gold-coated membranes to identify asbestos and microplastics—with growth rates of around 40% per year.
- In biotechnology, they have developed a novel protein separation technology, supported by 36 patent applications worldwide and now ready for market entry.
The company has since established its headquarters and main production facility in Radeberg near Dresden.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Looking back, one insight stands out: obstacles are not the end of the road—they are often a detour to something better. Dr. Stephan Brinke-Seiferth, CEO of i3 Membrane says: “When the stones in your path are too heavy to move, you sometimes have to find another way around them.” Equally important was openness. Being transparent about risks and challenges helped build trust with investors and employees alike—an essential ingredient for long-term success.
Advice for Future Founders
For those considering their own spin-off journey, the i3 Membrane team offers clear advice:
- Start with a strong idea—but don’t underestimate the effort required to bring it to market.
- Stay persistent, especially when things don’t go as planned.
- Prioritize communication—many companies fail because of internal conflict, not lack of funding.
- Be transparent. Trust is built through honesty, even in difficult times.