The ecosystem
Horst Görtz Institute
for IT Security
More than 1.000 students are currently enrolled in four study programmes at the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security (HGI) at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). That makes the RUB the largest educational institution for IT security in Europe. Almost all aspects of IT security are covered at HGI, from basic research in cryptography and internet security to security for the internet of things, usability and data protection.
Since its foundation, the HGI has produced almost 20 startups, making it one of the leaders in Germany in the field of IT security startup promotion. The startups were founded by students, doctoral students and professors of the institute with technologies based on research conducted at HGI. The startups are extremely successful. 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.
IT Security Startups
Apheris
enables enterprises to collaborate and analyse data securely without compromising privacy.
AWARE7
links technical and human IT security, creates synergies, and helps companies identify and resolve potential security vulnerabilities in both areas.
Code Intelligence
offers modern security testing for embedded devices, developers and medium-sized companies.
EDGELESS SYSTEMS
develops a high-performance platform for the provably secure and accountable processing of data. Think always encrypted, think big data, think confidential smart-contracts.
emproof
provides a solution to protect intellectual property contained in the software of embedded devices.
Hackmanit
provides a Web Application Security: Pentests, Trainings, and Expert Reports.
immune
delivers highly innovative cybersecurity products for the datacenter, hyperscaler, and edge computing market.
Lastline
offers advanced threat detection products to uncover attacks and malicious network activity before suffering a costly data breach.
PHYSEC
offers an unique combination of applied cryptography and communications technology based on the latest research results for applications in the Internet of Things.
PRIVACEE
is an all-rounder in the field of data protection management for SMEs, including an integrated external data protection officer.
qbound
offers Secure Access to Critical Systems and IoT Devices. Anytime. Anywhere. qbound Security = Software Defined Perimeter + Blockchain + Artificial Intelligence.
RIPS Technologies
offers automated security analysis of web applications as local software installation or as scalable cloud service.
securious
protects businesses from cyber attacks with a full range of IT security services.
SoSafe
helps employees recognize phishing emails - through simulated attacks.
Trustcerts
provides the possibility to check the validity of proofs at any time with the blockchain - completely automated and GDPR compliant.
VMRAY
offers an innovative malware analysis and detection solution to defend against cyber attacks.
XignSys
develops the next generation of strong authentication, e-signatures, transactions and digital identities for web, smart city, IoT- and real world applications.
Our partners
Bochum Economic Development
as a municipal service provider, economic development also helps start-ups, is in constant contact with local entrepreneurs and implements innovative settlement concepts.
carmasec
is a german-based boutique advisory & consulting firm, focussing on cybersecurity solutions and services and specialized in DX risk management, security automation, agile security methods and DevSecOps.
CASA
is the cluster of excellence in which outstanding researchers develop strong countermeasures against powerful cyber attackers.
CISPA
combines cutting-edge research and innovative application in the field of IT security by supporting start-up teams in the idea generation and seed phase.
Deloitte Legal
offers competent and pragmatic advice in national and international business law with more than 2,500 legal professionals in 80+ countries around the globe and over 130 lawyers in Germany.
eCAPITAL
is a venture capital company that supports innovative entrepreneurs in seminal industries.
eco – Association of the Internet Industry
has started operating in 1995 and is the largest Internet industry association in Europe with more than 1,100 member companies.
ENERvolution GmbH
is the innovative platform used by innogy group to develop and test digital products and innovations for its customers.
ESCRYPT
offers highly secure IT security solutions for embedded systems.
eurobits
is the European competence center for security in information technology and promotes technology transfer in the area of IT security and information security between science and industry.
Faculty of Management and Economics
is one of the top ten faculties for economics in research, teaching and practice. It pursues the goal of shaping changes in business and politics in a responsible manner.
Gründerallianz Ruhr
The Gründerallianz Ruhr creates transparency within the startup ecosystem Ruhr and connects founders with its strong network of corporates, investors and experts.
High-Tech Gründerfond
is a venture capital investor focusing on technology start-ups in the seed phase based in Bonn/Berlin.
innogy Innovation Hub
is innogy´s Accelerator and Venture Capital arm. It is headquartered in Berlin, with teams across Europe, Israel and the USA.
Institut für IT-Sicherheit
is an innovative, independent research institution and service provider focusing on Internet security.
isits
offers an international distance learning program (Master of Applied IT Security) as well as high-caliber and certified training in IT security and information security.
KIT
fosters innovative entrepreneurial spirit at KIT. We support student start-ups as well as scientific high-tech spin-offs.
NERD.NRW
is a postgraduate research training group focused on “Human Centered Systems Security”, funded by MKW NRW.
Robert Bosch Venture Capital
is the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group and invests worldwide in innovative start-up companies at all stages of their development.
RUB Research School
RUB Research School
The campus-wide Graduate School of the Ruhr-Universität offers workshops, counselling, interdisciplinary & career events as well as funding lines for doctoral students & postdocs from all departments.
ruhr:HUB
helps start-ups to scale and sets impulses for digital transformation of SMEs & corporations. Topics include CyberSecurity, IndustrialTech, EnvironmentalTech & eHealth.
SecHuman
is a graduate school in which 13 doctoral students investigate technical and social problems of IT security in an inter- and transdisciplinary research environment.
StartUpSecure Athene
is located in Darmstadt and supports innovations in the field of IT security from the initial idea to the successful market launch. The team also advises on the support programme of the same name.
WORLDFACTORY
is the transfer and founding project of Ruhr-Universität Bochum. If you have a good idea and want to develop it further, you will find many forms of support here.
“I can report from my own experience that it is a very difficult phase to go to market with the first idea. Here it is important to have fellow sufferers. We form a network of founders in which they help each other if there are failures or setbacks in the realiziation of their ideas.”
