Mario Brandenburg is Commissioner for Research Transfer and Spin-offs at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). As such, he develops, coordinates and acts as interdepartmental representative for key activities concerning transfer and spin-offs from research into application. He reaches out to important actors in the knowledge, innovation and transfer system, and he serves as the interface between government, parliament, science, industry, civil society and the relevant communities. He is also the central contact for actors within higher education, non-university research institutions, SMEs and civil society. As Commissioner for Research Transfer and Spin-offs, he is involved in developing the strategy for the German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI) and its establishment. He is also an active contributor to the development of a start-up strategy. He is the successor to Thomas Sattelberger in this function.