Let's talk about cookies
Our website uses cookies to offer the best possible user experience. By using our website you agree to the usage of cookies. Find more information in our privacy policy.
About Stratosfare
Boosting. Innovation. Together.
Stratosfare is a initiative of the leading-edge cluster it's OWL. It was initiated by the globally renowned home appliance manufacturer Miele, in collaboration with it’s OWL and WAGO Kontakttechnik. Together, they set out to build Stratosfare as a cross-company Venture Client Unit. Through Stratosfare, companies join forces in a unique network to leverage synergies and strengthen their presence in the global world of startups and emerging technologies.
"We were convinced from the outset that a merger of companies in the field of venture clienting would offer great benefits for both companies and start-ups. With Stratosfare, we want to build not just a platform, but an entire ecosystem in which companies and start-ups support each other."
Dr. Stefan Breit, Geschäftsführer Miele & Cie. KG
"We work closely with start-ups. This allows us to identify innovative technologies at an early stage and test them in practice. At Stratosfare, we regularly exchange ideas with the initiative's partner companies throughout the venture client process. In this way, we benefit from each other's diverse experiences and centralized scouting."
Peter Hübinger, Senior Vice President Smart Home/Electronics Miele & Cie. KG
"Stratosfare has become a key initiative within it’s OWL because we’ve succeeded in integrating startups into our dynamic innovation activities and ecosystem. Companies don’t learn speed by watching – they learn it through action and by collaborating with startups as equals."
Günter Korder, Geschäftsführer it’s OWL Clustermanagement GmbH
it's OWL: A Unique Network for Innovation
In the leading-edge cluster it's OWL – Intelligent Technical Systems OstWestfalenLippe – more than 220 companies, research institutions, and organizations develop solutions for smart products and processes, helping businesses to produce and operate more sustainably. For over ten years, it's OWL has delivered solutions and applications through around 500 projects on topics such as artificial intelligence and intelligent product development – supporting companies on their path to digitalization.
Backed by Science with Fraunhofer IEM
The Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Systems Design (IEM) in Paderborn contributes its extensive technological expertise and years of experience in corporate innovation to Stratosfare. With over 250 employees, the institute specializes in integrating new technologies into mechatronic products and processes. Venture Clienting is an independent research focus, and in collaboration with the Heinz Nixdorf Institute, several PhD candidates are currently working in this field.
“We’ve been working on innovation management for over 30 years. In recent years, Venture Clienting has emerged as a true innovation in itself. It has the potential to become a standard method for companies to accelerate innovation more effectively.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roman Dumitrescu, Direktor des Fraunhofer IEM
“With Stratosfare, we not only gain a key component for the OWL innovation ecosystem, but also an excellent opportunity for our researchers to explore and further develop the field of Venture Clienting.”
Dr.-Ing. Arno Kühn, Bereichsleiter Produktentstehung, Fraunhofer IEM
The People Behind Stratosfare
Stratosfare is driven by a core team at it’s OWL and Fraunhofer IEM, which manages the platform’s operations. At the same time, we consider all Venture Clienting managers in participating companies to be part of the Stratosfare team – now numbering more than 20 people.
“Through cross-company collaboration, we’ve become a powerful innovation team – and likely the largest Venture Client Unit in Germany. We don’t just bring startup solutions into companies quickly, we also genuinely enjoy working together!”
Dr. Martin Rabe, Head of Stratosfare
Join the Stratosfare team - either as an initiative application to it’s OWL or in response to the following job advertisements.
Martin Rabe
Head of Stratosfare