Fosters entrepreneurship and innovation in cultural and creative industries.
u-institut GmbH & Co.KG, based in Berlin, is a project agency focused on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly within Germany’s cultural and creative industries. The organization’s core activities include developing new collaborative formats and creating spaces for experimental approaches to societal challenges. Its stated goal is to promote entrepreneurial resilience and sustainability. With one of the largest networks of experts in creative economies and entrepreneurship in Germany, u-institut plays a prominent role as a central institution for advancing creative potential and social innovation across the realms of policy, economics, culture, and society. The organization manages projects at the federal and state level, offering a full spectrum of services from conceptualization and strategic development to the operational delivery of complex initiatives. Among its most visible projects is the annual “Kultur- und Kreativpiloten Deutschland” award, coordinated on behalf of the federal government. Each year, 32 companies or projects from the cultural and creative sectors are recognized for their commitment to exploration and impact. The award is open to self-employed individuals, start-ups, established companies, and projects that intersect with other sectors. The institute’s portfolio includes consulting on economic and social developments, capacity-building for creative professionals, and organizing national and international networking campaigns as well as public tenders. By bridging sectors and supporting experimental project structures, u-institut contributes to shaping future-oriented, cross-disciplinary solutions. Founded in Berlin, it has developed into a recognised facilitator of creative enterprise and innovation development in Germany.