Ongoing projects

The ifm is an interdisciplinary research institute with four focal points, which carries out research projects on current and structural SME-related topics.

Entrepreneurship

Credit: TransforMA

TransforMA

TransforMA promotes the exchange between universities, companies and society to jointly shape transformation processes.

KI-Garage

The KI-Garage (AI Garage) supports start-ups from research and universities in turning AI ideas into business models.

DeepTechHub

The DeepTechHub supports the networking of all relevant players in the regional ecosystem, the promotion of joint activities and the positioning as a deep tech location.

Credit: i-share

i-share

Researches innovative business models in the sharing economy and their impact on sustainability.

Credit: platforms2share

Platforms2share

Focuses on the role of decentralised forms of organisation and technologies (e.g. blockchain) for a fair, sustainable platform economy.

Credit: CSI

Impact of social innovations (ISI)

Establishes a permanent monitoring (panel) for social innovations and their effects.

Credit: q-know

Q-KNOW

Quality development through cooperative networks and cooperation portfolios.

Credit: Mittelstand-Digital

SME Digital Centre Construction

Supports small and medium-sized companies in the construction and property sector in their digital transformation.

Mittelstand 4.0 – Usability competence centre

Supports medium-sized companies in improving the usability of their machines, products and software solutions.

Credit: Fritz Thyssen Stiftung

Integrationsforschung 2.0

Integration research 2.0 uses new data sources to investigate the behavior and attitudes of migrants and natives.

Credit: dmpi

Masterplan Mittelstand

The “Master Plan for SMEs” is working out how to maintain the competitiveness of SMEs in Baden-Württemberg.

Credit: giz

EU4Business

With “EU4Business”, ifm supports Ukrainian SMEs to maintain competitiveness during the war and strengthen the economy.

Credit: KPMG

Benchmark family firms

With the support of KPMG and ifm-Förderkreis, ifm Mannheim analyzed the importance and economic strength of family businesses in eleven metropolitan regions in Germany.