Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISIPrivate universities: Economic importance for companies and start-ups (PHOEBUS)
Although private universities have a long tradition in many countries, research on this type of university is limited. Although the higher education landscape in Germany is predominantly characterised by public universities, the importance of private higher education institutions has increased significantly in the last decade due to market liberalisation and the emphasis on competitive elements from the private sector. For example, the number of students at private universities tripled between 2010 and 2020 to 244,000 students at more than 100 institutions. Private universities therefore no longer play an insignificant role in quantitative terms. It can be assumed that with their contribution to research, transfer and teaching, they have gained considerable importance for the German economy and the German innovation system. However, despite the increased importance of private higher education institutions, there are no valid quantitative findings from Germany on their economic effects. Nor is it known whether potential effects vary with specific characteristics of private universities, such as their subject combination or research and transfer orientation. The aim of this project is to close this research gap, with a focus on the contributions of private universities to the economic performance and innovative success of companies in the region as well as to regional start-up activity.