Saxony Hubs: Competence and innovation centres
© TU Dresden
Saxony, a digital stronghold: The application submitted by Dresden and Leipzig for the national hub concept run by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs (BMWi) have been successful. The Saxon cities beat a number of other candidates to become one of twelve locations in the BMWi scheme. The Saxon state government welcomes the decision made by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Technologies and concepts necessary developing the Internet of Things (IoT) are set to be the subject of work performed in Leipzig and Dresden in future. The aim of the Saxony Hubs will be to systematically network scientists, producers and users, and maximise the IoT's huge market potential.
The plan is to establish Saxony as a globally visible, recognised competence centre for IoT key technologies. Networking within Saxony and co-operating with other hubs outside the Free State is designed to secure jobs in the region, and make Saxony more attractive to international investors, experts and specialists as an IT centre.
"Smart Systems Hub" in Dresden
A competence and innovation centre for industrial digitisation is set to be created at Europe's leading semiconductor hub, Dresden. On 10 January 2017, Saxony's Minister-President Stanislaw Tillich, Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig, Professor Schönefeld from the Silicon Saxony association, and Professor Frank Fitzek from the TU Dresden presented the plans.
The main priority will be to utilise and further develop Saxony's unique locational advantages established in recent years in the field of microelectronics.
"Smart Infrastructure Hub" in Leipzig
A digital competence centre for energy management and smart cities is to be created in Leipzig. The aim of the "Smart Infrastructure Hub" is to research and develop the smart networking and digitisation of processes and infrastructure within a city. Key aspects of the hub strategy include further expanding the startup centre at the Leipzig Baumwollspinnerei (cotton mill), and setting up a cross-university competence centre for energy management. Research will be conducted into the processes for controlling energy supplies, street guidance systems and electromobility.
What is a hub?
Hubs are places where SMEs, large companies, startups, investors and research institutes work together to focus German industry on the digital future. The existing infrastructure in the field of microelectronics is to be pooled as part of the planned Saxon hub, and enhanced with new elements, such as startups and financiers.
Nationwide hub concept
The "De:hub" concept is based on the idea initiated by the Bitkom digital association and promoted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs that SMEs, large companies, startups, investors and research institutes can work together to focus German industry on the digital future.
More information on the topic
- Saxony, a digital stronghold: Successful application by Dresden and Leipzig in the national hub concept run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs Press release by the Saxon state government on the successful application by the Saxon hub locations, 21 April 2017
- Smart Systems Hub: Saxony Hub for the industries of the future Silicon Saxony e.V. website
- Strengthening digital hubs in Germany Website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
- IT summit marks the kick-off for Germany's digital hubs Bitkom (federal association for information management, telecommunications and new media) website
