Knowledge exchange and collaboration in entrepreneurial activities at the University of Kassel

This case study updates the 2018 HEInnovate case study of the University of Kassel and examines the evolution of its entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge transfer ecosystem. Since 2018, the university has further strengthened its organisational capacity through the continued development of UniKasselTransfer and a portfolio of complementary initiatives supporting entrepreneurship, sustainability-oriented innovation and regional collaboration. Particular attention is given to the SDG+ Lab as an example of challenge-driven knowledge transfer and co-creation with regional stakeholders, complemented by infrastructures and strategic partnerships, including Science Park Kassel, the Gründungsetage, Hessen Ideen and UA11+. The case demonstrates how the university has developed an integrated institutional approach to knowledge transfer that strengthens organisational capacity and regional innovation, while offering transferable lessons on impact measurement, long-term funding, scalability and transferability.