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.

Learn more about HGI

IT Security Startups

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.

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 Wirtschaftsentwicklung

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Dr. Thomas WollingerCEO ESCRYPT

The ecosystem

Horst Görtz Institutefor IT Security

IT Security Startups

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Horst Görtz Institute
for IT Security