Ten Years of Chimaera at IGZ Erlangen: A Place Where Ideas Grow
Since 2015, Chimaera GmbH has been based at the Innovation and Start-up Center (IGZ) in Erlangen, an environment offering optimal conditions for growth to young companies in high-tech and future-oriented industries.
The idea for Chimaera emerged during the Ph.D. studies of co-founders Dr. Marcus Prümmer, Dr. Dieter Hahn, and Dr. Volker Daum, alongside their mentor and supervisor, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger. Drawing from their extensive experience in machine learning research, they identified the challenge of providing valuable services and developing appropriate software tools for image processing and AI projects over fifteen years ago. This vision led to the company's establishment as a spin-off in 2007. Initially based in Effeltrich, Chimaera moved to the IGZ Erlangen in 2015.
The IGZ as a hub for innovation
The IGZ is considered a central hub for technology-oriented startups and young companies in the Nuremberg metropolitan area. It provides modern infrastructure, flexible office spaces, consulting and coaching services, and direct access to networks of scientific, business, and financial partners. This combination of work environment, support, and exchange has enabled us to consistently develop our work.
At the heart of the MedTech region
The IGZ's location in the center of the European metropolitan region of Nuremberg is particularly valuable, as it is in close proximity to key players such as Medical Valley EMN e. V., FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen University Hospital, and numerous leading MedTech companies. This is where research, clinical application, and industry come together – an ideal environment for transforming scientific ideas into practical innovations.
A look back – and ahead
The move to the IGZ marked the beginning of a new phase for Chimaera: from a spin-off to an established company with a diverse project portfolio in image analysis, AI, and software development.
Ten years later, we can look back on many successful collaborations, interesting projects, and valuable contacts – and we are convinced that our journey is far from over and that exciting challenges await us.
We would like to thank the IGZ, all our partners, and companions for their support over the past decade – and we look forward to the next ten years of innovation at the Erlangen site.