Spin-Off Companies
Companies
NextGO Epi
NextGO Epi is a spin-off from the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ) im Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., which aims to supply high-quality and large-scale gallium oxide (Ga2O3) epitaxial wafers using Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE), building upon IKZ’s decade-long research advancements in Ga2O3 materials. The technology behind the innovations from NextGO Epi was developed to market readiness by the founders on the shoulders of a team of excellent scientists from IKZ. In particular, the IKZ provides all the infrastructure as the base.
The unique advantages of Ga2O3, recognized as a fourth-generation ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor material, lie primarily in its potentially significant cost and performance benefits over conventional power semiconductors such as SiC and GaN.
As a key innovator in Europe, NextGO Epi is focused on enabling next-generation high-power electronics by providing advanced tailored Ga2O3 epi-wafers that will allow device manufacturers to produce devices that are cheaper, more compact, and more efficient and even enter new areas of application beyond 10 kV. With deep expertise in epitaxial growth, AI-assisted process optimization, and market access, NextGO Epi plays a crucial role in bridging cutting-edge material innovation with industrial-scale adoption.
NextGO Epi is on the roadmap to delivering high-quality and large-size Ga2O3 epiwafers to several early customers worldwide.
Visit the company’s homepage at www.nextgoepi.com and LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgoepi/
Dr. Ta-Shun Chou
Ta-Shun Chou holds a Ph.D. in chemistry, specializing in crystal growth theory and artificial intelligence. He performed his Ph.D. study in the Leibniz Institute of Crystal Growth (IKZ) from 2020 to 2023. His thesis presents key breakthroughs in growing high-quality Ga2O3 epiwafer.As a scientist-turned-entrepreneur, he is driven by a mission to bridge the gap between research and industry, accelerating the commercialization of Ga2O3 for next-generation technologies.
Dr. Andreas Popp
Dr. Andreas Popp studied physics and received his Ph.D. in 2017. His doctoral thesis focused on the electronic structure and morphology of epitaxial-grown chalcopyrite thin films for photovoltaics. In December 2017, he moved to the Leibniz Institute of Crystal Growth (IKZ) as a post-doc, where he was in charge of the epitaxial deposition of oxide thin films using MOVPE. Since April 2019, he has been leading his own research group, "Epitaxy of semiconducting gallium oxide," which focuses on material development for power electronics. The research projects acquired by Dr. Popp (1xBMBF, 2x DFG, 1x EFRE) enabled him to build up and expand his research group, which is one of the world's leading academic research groups on the material Ga2O3. The success of his group is reflected in numerous publications, internationally invited lectures and two patents. The prospect of making a contribution to decarbonization with our material development and thus being able to solve social problems inspires him.
Dr. Andreas Fiedler
Andreas Fiedler is an experimental physicist with a focus on semiconductor physics and devices. As the leader of the BMBF NanoMatFutur Junior Research Group All-GO-HEMT, he has in-depth knowledge in the fields of electrical engineering, advanced materials characterization, processing, and synthesis. He has been working in Ga2O3 research for over a decade and brings all his experience to NextGO Epi with the firm intention of transferring his scientific achievements into a real-world application and making them accessible to society.
Dr. Ta-Shun Chou
Mail: t.s.chounextgoepi.com
NextGO Epi UG (i.G.) (haftungsbeschränkt)
Max-Born-Str. 2
12489 Berlin
Related news link: https://www.ikz-berlin.de/en/public-relations/news/article/ta-shun-chou-receives-the-dgkk-young-scientist-award-2023-and-wins-the-inam-startup-competition-1
TXproducts
TXproducts is a spin-off from the X-Ray Optics group at IKZ and was founded in close cooperation with DESY in Hamburg in April 2021. IKZ and DESY also bundle and coordinate their activities in an IKZ-DESY Joint Lab on the DESY campus in Hamburg Bahrenfeld. The startup is also supported by the EFRE application laboratory "Materials for Oxide Electronics".
TXproducts develops and commercializes Active X-Ray Optics for adapting the time structure of synchrotron radiation specifically for experiments at large-scale research facilities. This includes in particular the WaveGate PulsePicker - a compact device for selecting on-demand X-ray pulse pattern. By adapting the time structure, experiments at synchrotrons can be carried out with increased efficiency up to hundred times faster.
The technology behind the innovations from TXproducts was developed to market readiness by the founders together with a team of scientists from IKZ and various other research institutions. In particular, the IKZ provides tailor-made materials which allow efficient manipulation of X-ray pulses.
TXproducts is currently developing applications of its products in several pilot projects at the synchrotron sources DESY (Hamburg) and ESRF (Grenoble, France). For the construction of a universally applicable demonstrator, TXproducts was awarded the InnoRampUp funding from the Hamburg Investment and Development Bank IFB in October 2021.
Visit the company’s homepage at www.txproducts.de
Peter Gaal
Peter Gaal holds a PhD in experimental physics with a strong background in structural dynamics and solid state physics. As a researcher, university lecturer and entrepreneur, he is driving the development of active X-ray optics.
Daniel Schmidt
Daniel Schmidt holds a master's degree in nanoscience and specializes in time-resolved synchrotron and laser applications. Together with Peter Gaal, he is the founder of TXP and drives active X-ray optics from prototyping to market.
Mail: info@txproducts.de
Phone: +49 15678 378792
TXproducts UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Luruper Hauptstraße 1
22547 Hamburg
quantum grade materials [qgm]
[qgm] quantum grade materials GmbH i. G. brings the future raw materials made in Lausitz to market maturity. These future raw materials are isotopically pure semiconductors and semiconductor precursors such as silicon-28/silane-28 and germanium-73d/germane-73d. These materials are required for the production of 2nd generation quantum technologies, e.g. quantum computers, but also for other technologies in X-ray optics and cryogenics. The aim is to ensure a sustainable supply of these key strategic materials for industry and research in Europe and beyond.
The business idea was developed as part of research into SiGe heterostructures for quantum computers in the Semiconductor Nanostructures section at the IKZ. In order to guarantee the infrastructural and safety requirements for the chemical synthesis processes, the founding project moved to the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg in 2024. The team continues to receive support from the IKZ, for example in the form of networking or expertise in volume crystal growth.
The project was awarded the Lusatian Business Start-up Prize in 2023. In 2024, funding of over EUR 900,000 was obtained through an EXIST research transfer. Foundation is planned for early 2026.
Website: https://www.quantumgradematerials.de (wird im April 2025 eröffnet)
LinkedIn-Profil: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/quantum-grade-materials-btu/
Dr. Owen C. Ernst
Owen Ernst holds a doctorate in physical chemistry. He uses his experience in the fields of thermodynamics, inorganic chemistry and semiconductor physics to drive the start-up project forward. In addition to his scientific and entrepreneurial activities, he is passionate about communicating science to the public.
Dr.-Ing. David Uebel
David Uebel holds a doctorate in materials science. Already during his doctoral studies, he worked extensively on the deposition of classical semiconductors. During his postdoctoral period at the IKZ, David Uebel was responsible for technology transfer and acquired a broad knowledge of the market for (isotopically pure) silicon.
Anne Handschick-Ernst
Anne Handschick-Ernst is trained in office management and has a Bachelor's degree in European Media Studies. She has already worked in start-ups and in global corporate groups. She enriches the start-up project with her commercial expertise and her experience with companies in various stages of development.
Dipl. Physiker Roman Brendler
Roman Brendler received his diploma in physics. He gained professional experience as a programmer before founding the company Jointech e. G. as part of a team. He was a member of the board for three years and responsible for product development, new customer acquisition and the eight-strong team.
Dr. Owen C. Ernst
infoquantumgradematerials.de
+49 (0)3573 85 851
Glaide Data GmbH
Glaide Data GmbH is a spin-off company from the Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), established in collaboration with Humboldt University Berlin (HU Berlin) within the framework of the FAIRmat project.
Glaide Data combines advanced research data management (RDM) solutions with the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Built upon the NOMAD Oasis platform, the company provides innovative data management services, allowing researchers to concentrate on scientific innovation by managing their data complexity effectively.
NOMAD Oasis is an open-source RDM platform (www.nomad-lab.eu), developed within the FAIRmat project (www.fairmat-nfdi.eu). It adheres to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles, ensuring data is inherently AI-ready. NOMAD's comprehensive data model efficiently manages research data from computational studies and experimental workflows. Glaide Data's specialized services include consulting to optimize research data strategies, customized implementation of NOMAD Oasis tailored to organizational workflows, and secure, fully supported cloud hosting solutions.
Founded in 2025 by Sebastian Brückner, who leads digitization efforts in research data management at IKZ and coordinates synthesis data activities within FAIRmat, Glaide Data aims to broaden the adoption of NOMAD Oasis within the materials science community and extend its capabilities to other research disciplines. The dedicated team comprises scientists, engineers, software developers, and data specialists with extensive expertise in research data management, machine learning, artificial intelligence, FAIR data principles, and laboratory automation.
Glide with us: www.glaidedata.com
Sebastian Brückner
Sebastian Brückner holds a PhD in physics from the Humboldt University of Berlin and has over 16 years of experience in applied materials science, particularly in the fields of optoelectronics and III-V and IV semiconductor technologies. During his career, he has worked at several renowned German research institutions.
Through his expertise and commitment to digitalisation and innovation in research data management, Sebastian took over as head of the data science team at the Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth (IKZ) in Berlin. There, he plays a key role in driving forward the digital transformation of research data management.
As coordinator of the FAIRmat project for synthesis data, Sebastian also plays a key role in the development of the NOMAD platform. He is particularly committed to implementing the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) in order to optimise the use of research data and at the same time ensure that the platform is extremely user-friendly.
With Glaide Data, he wants to contribute to the dissemination and use of the NOMAD platform and help scientists to work more effectively and innovatively with their data and benefit from the latest developments in the fields of AI, machine learning and laboratory automation.
Dr. Sebastian Brückner
sebastian.bruecknerikz-berlin.de
+49 (30) 246499 504
