What an inspiring HZDR Transfer Day! We celebrated research ideas with real potential for impact in energy, health, and matter – all under one guiding theme: The Power of Networks.
A particular highlight was the keynote by Christian von Olshausen, Founder and CTO of Sunfire. In a personal and insightful presentation, he showed how networks and partnerships have been crucial to his company’s success:
“An idea on its own does not form a business model.”
He highlighted three key challenges where networks truly matter: technology, organization, and market access – as well as the importance of regional acceptance, regulatory frameworks, and lobbying.
Before the award ceremony, a dedicated networking break brought the motto to life, fostering vibrant exchanges between HZDR researchers and representatives from futureSAX – die Innovationsplattform des Freistaates Sachsen, dresden|exists, Gründungsnetzwerk SAXEED, EIT RawMaterials, recomine, BiotroNiS, OES – Organic Electronics Saxony, HZDR Innovation GmbH, Senscubator coordinated by Technische Universität Dresden, nukliD, Hi-Acts | Helmholtz Innovation Platform for Accelerator-Based Technologies & Solutions, TransferAllianz e.V., wisawi-vernetzt.de coordinated by Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH.
🏆 The winners of the HZDR Innovation Contest 2025 were formally honored in the Award Ceremony:
🥇 Real-time MRI-guided proton therapy (Prof. Aswin Hoffmann, Prof. Esther Troost, Dr. Sergej Schneider, Dr. Jörg Pawelke, Dr. Felix Horst,OncoRay – National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology/HZDR)
🥈 Eco-friendly recycling of technology metals (emma pustlauk, Dr. Peter Boelens, Ali Hassan, Franziska Strube, Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie (HIF) am HZDR)
🥉 Energy-efficient AI chips for wearables (Dr. Schultheiss Helmut, HZDR)
🌱 Idea Track Awards recognized promising early-stage ideas in sustainable coatings, wastewater treatment, and rare-earth recycling.
Purvi Jain, Franziska Lederer, Katrin Pollmann, Thomas Krause, Christoph Bloss, Gerda Techert.
🙏 Thank you to all partners and networks for your commitment and collaboration – you are a driving force in turning excellent research into real-world impact.
