Vector Stiftung

Vector Stiftung is a corporate-linked non-profit foundation (unternehmensverbundene Stiftung) based in Stuttgart, Germany. It was founded in 2011 by the three founders and shareholders of Vector Informatik GmbH — Eberhard Hinderer, Martin Litschel, and Helmut Schelling — together with shareholder Thomas Beck. The foundation was established as part of a succession plan to secure the long-term future of the company, inspired by the model of Robert Bosch GmbH. It holds 60% of the shares of Vector Informatik GmbH and finances its activities from the dividends it receives from this holding. The foundation's purpose is to promote charitable projects in the Stuttgart region and the state of Baden-Württemberg. Its work focuses on three main areas: research, education, and social engagement. In research, it supports MINT (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology) projects, particularly in climate protection and environmental research. In education, it aims to strengthen STEM education from primary school to university, including teacher training and practical teaching. In social engagement, it works to combat homelessness and youth unemployment and to promote equal opportunities and integration of disadvantaged young people. Vector Stiftung funds approximately 300 projects per year with an annual budget of around 12 million euros. Since its founding, it has invested more than 80 million euros (according to Wikipedia) or over 100 million euros (according to its website) in charitable causes. The foundation is managed by a board (Vorstand) and a foundation council (Stiftungsrat) composed of the three founders. It employs around 9 staff members who handle an average of 180 projects and donations per year. In 2025, approximately 11.5 million euros flowed into program work. The foundation is a significant philanthropic actor in the Stuttgart region, supporting projects such as Cyber Valley (an AI research consortium), research groups on climate-friendly technologies, and social initiatives like the Social Impact Lab Stuttgart. It also awards Deutschlandstipendien for STEM teacher training students and supports the Code Week Baden-Württemberg.

Vector Stiftung was founded in 2011 by Eberhard Hinderer, Martin Litschel, and Helmut Schelling, the three founders and shareholders of Vector Informatik GmbH, together with shareholder Thomas Beck. The foundation was created as part of a succession plan to secure the long-term future of the company, driven by concerns from employees about job security and from customers about continuity of business relationships. The founders were inspired by the model of Robert Bosch GmbH and established a so-called double foundation (Doppelstiftung): a charitable Vector Stiftung and a family foundation. The Vector Stiftung took over the majority of the capital in Vector Informatik GmbH, holding 60% of the shares. The foundation's purpose is to promote charitable projects in the Stuttgart region and the state of Baden-Württemberg. Its work focuses on three main areas: research, education, and social engagement. In research, it supports MINT (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology) projects, particularly in climate protection and environmental research. In education, it aims to strengthen STEM education from primary school to university, including teacher training and practical teaching. In social engagement, it works to combat homelessness and youth unemployment and to promote equal opportunities and integration of disadvantaged young people. Since its founding, the foundation has funded numerous projects. Notable examples include: in 2019, a directly cooled electric motor made of plastic with a novel cooling concept for environmentally friendly mobility, in collaboration with Fraunhofer ICT and KIT; in 2020, a project on continuous solar-sorptive water harvesting from air in arid regions at the University of Stuttgart; since 2018, support for Cyber Valley, an AI research consortium in Stuttgart and Tübingen; in 2020, a junior research group on photochemistry for environmental and climate protection led by Andrea Pannwitz at Ulm University; and in 2022, a junior research group on the solar cell of the future led by Juliane Borchert at the University of Freiburg. In education, it has provided more than 800 Deutschlandstipendien for STEM teacher training students, supported the Code Week Baden-Württemberg grassroots movement, and funded a endowed professorship for physics didactics held by Jan-Philipp Burde at the University of Tübingen. In social engagement, it has funded refrigerated vehicles for food banks (Tafelläden) and supported social business startups through the Social Impact Lab in Stuttgart. The foundation is managed by a board (Vorstand) and a foundation council (Stiftungsrat) composed of the three founders. It employs around 9 staff members who handle an average of 180 projects and donations per year. In 2025, approximately 11.5 million euros flowed into program work. The foundation's guiding principle, as stated by the founders, is: 'Many have contributed to the success of our company. Therefore, many should also share in it.'

• 2026

  Foundation celebrates its 15th anniversary; groundbreaking for two Zukunftshäuser in Mühlacker.

• 2025

  Approximately 11.5 million euros flowed into program work.

• 2022

  Funds junior research group on the solar cell of the future at University of Freiburg.

• 2020

  Funds project on continuous solar-sorptive water harvesting from air in arid regions at University of Stuttgart; funds junior research group on photochemistry for environmental and climate protection at Ulm University.

• 2019

  Funds project on directly cooled electric motor made of plastic with Fraunhofer ICT and KIT.

• 2018

  Foundation begins supporting Cyber Valley, an AI research consortium in Stuttgart and Tübingen.

• 2011

  Vector Stiftung founded by Eberhard Hinderer, Martin Litschel, Helmut Schelling, and Thomas Beck as part of a double foundation structure.

A corporate-linked foundation that uses dividends from its majority stake in Vector Informatik GmbH to fund charitable projects in research, education, and social welfare in Baden-Württemberg.

1. 1Startseite - Vector Stiftungvector-stiftung.de
2. 2Vector Stiftung - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Vector Stiftung - Wikidatawikidata.org