An important pillar of innovation policy is the support of knowledge transfer and the exploitation of marketable inventions from university research. Despite support for the exploitation of knowledge, a large proportion of innovations from research activities at German universities remain unused. This study aims to examine the various determinants (individual, occupational and environmental factors) that influence the innovation activities of researchers. At German universities, full-time employed scientists who conduct multidisciplinary or applied research and are also self-employed generate inventions particularly frequently. Women lag behind their male colleagues not only overall, but also within the individual subject areas. However, gender differences can no longer be found for the commercialization of inventions. At this level of innovation activity, practical experience gained by scientists through previous professional experience or current part-time jobs is decisive.