Holtzbrinck Launches San Francisco AI Hub to Accelerate Innovation in Science, Education, and Media
Press release
San Francisco, CA [October 7] — Holtzbrinck, a family-held global media group, today announced the opening of the Holtzbrinck AI Hub in San Francisco, a hands-on innovation space where bold ideas in science, education, and media will be tested, scaled, and put into action.
The AI Hub is built for impact. It will connect Holtzbrinck’s global network of researchers, publishers, and educators with Silicon Valley startups, technologists, and investors, creating a powerful bridge between Europe and the U.S., one designed to turn collaboration into momentum, helping ideas scale faster and reach further.
"At Holtzbrinck, we don’t just watch AI transform science, education, and media. We shape that future responsibly," said Katharina Neubert, SVP Strategy & Investments and Managing Director of the AI Hub. "Through the AI Hub, we will deepen our ties with the Silicon Valley ecosystem and unlock new business opportunities."
What makes the Holtzbrinck AI Hub distinct is its focus on scalable innovation, backed by deep expertise across science, education, and media. With trusted brands and deep domain expertise, Holtzbrinck offers an unrivaled testbed for building and validating AI solutions. Embedded residencies, curated events, and early product feedback loops will provide entrepreneurs within and outside of Holtzbrinck with the tools to transition from idea to impact.
The AI Hub will also serve as a radar for investment, scouting promising startups, identifying emerging trends, and sharing early insights across Holtzbrinck’s global ecosystem. By focusing on practical innovation, it aims to deliver AI solutions that drive meaningful impact in science, education, and media worldwide.
For partnerships, media inquiries, and further information, please contact aihub@holtzbrinck.com
Holtzbrinck is a family-held global media company headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more than 150 years, our brands have inspired progress in science, education, literature, and journalism. Our portfolio includes Springer Nature, Digital Science, Macmillan Publishers, Holtzbrinck Buchverlage, Pan Macmillan, Macmillan Learning, and DIE ZEIT.
FAQs
What is the Holtzbrinck AI Hub and why San Francisco?
The Holtzbrinck AI Hub is a hands-on innovation space dedicated to accelerating applied AI in science, education, and media. Located in San Francisco, the global epicenter of AI, it connects Holtzbrinck’s worldwide network with leading researchers, startups, and technologists.
More broadly, why did Holtzbrinck create an AI Hub?
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping science, education, and media at extraordinary speed. Across Holtzbrinck, teams are already experimenting with AI in ways that support discovery, learning, and storytelling. The AI Hub was created to give these efforts a dedicated space to grow, a place where colleagues can collaborate across businesses and geographies, connect with world-leading experts and partners in San Francisco, and explore AI responsibly.
By investing in the Hub, we’re building both capabilities and foresight: helping our people experiment hands-on, learn from the epicenter of AI innovation, and bring back knowledge, tools, and partnerships that strengthen all Holtzbrinck companies.
Why did Holtzbrinck launch the AI Hub now?
AI is transforming science, education, and media at unprecedented speed. Holtzbrinck created the Hub to move beyond experimentation and build a dedicated platform for collaboration, responsible innovation, and faster scaling of ideas.
How does the Hub fit into Holtzbrinck’s long-term strategy?
The Hub strengthens strategic partnerships, talent development, and investment foresight. It enables Holtzbrinck to team up with world-leading experts, spot emerging trends, and responsibly apply AI across its businesses.
Where is it located?
The AI Hub is at 44 Montgomery Street, San Francisco.
What will happen at the Hub?
The Hub will host residencies, pilot projects with startups, curated events, and foresight sessions. Activities include testing new AI applications, prototyping with entrepreneurs, and creating feedback loops with Holtzbrinck’s global businesses.
What kind of projects are you focusing on?
Early projects include AI-driven applications in research workflows, digital education, and trusted media. The Hub also scouts startups, explores investment opportunities, and supports initiatives that can be scaled across Holtzbrinck’s portfolio.
How can startups, researchers or companies partner with the Hub?
We welcome partnerships that reimagine research, education, and media through responsible AI innovation. Collaborations can include joint pilots, co-design projects, investment opportunities, or community events. Please contact us at aihub@holtzbrinck.com to learn more.
What does Holtzbrinck offer to partners?
● Domain expertise across science, education, and media
● Trusted brands for real-world testing and validation
● A transatlantic bridge connecting European and U.S. ecosystems
● Co-creation formats such as hackathons, residencies, and accelerator-style pilots
Are there external partners already involved?
Yes. Holtzbrinck is already engaging with Bay Area startups, researchers, and technology companies. These partnerships aim to test real-world applications and foster responsible innovation.
What makes Holtzbrinck’s AI Hub different from other corporate AI labs?
Unlike many labs, the Hub combines authoritative brands, global reach, and deep subject expertise with a transatlantic bridge between Europe and the U.S. This unique mix enables real-world, scalable, and responsible AI innovation.
Who leads the Hub?
The Hub is led by Katharina Neubert, Managing Director of the Holtzbrinck AI Hub and SVP Strategy & Investments at Holtzbrinck.
Will the Hub create jobs or residencies for external talent?
The Hub aims to bring together experts at the intersection of AI and science, education and media. Institutions and individuals interested in engaging with the AI Hub can contact aihub@holtzbrinck.com to explore a collaboration.
How will you measure success?
Success means generating measurable value: new AI-enabled products, stronger partnerships, and practical tools that benefit science, education, and media globally. It also means being recognized as a trusted partner by leading researchers and technologists.
How does this connect to Holtzbrinck’s portfolio?
Holtzbrinck owns and invests in leading brands across science (SpringerNature, Digital Science), education (Macmillan Learning), publishing (Macmillan Publishers, Pan Macmillan, Holtzbrinck Buchverlage), and journalism (DIE ZEIT). These companies will actively shape the AI Hub by bringing their measures.