THE LÄND is the No. 1 innovation region in Europe, 5.6 % of the gross domestic product is invested in research and development (2021) and a strong industry meets cutting-edge research. To ensure that the location can compete internationally, the state has invested around 20 billion euros since 2014. Further investment is now to be made in the technologies of the future.
Baden-Württemberg as a hotspot for AI and quantum technology
In the field of AI and quantum technology, a major development has taken place in recent years. The AI research benefits from excellent ecosystems and facilities such as Cyber Valley, the world's first ELLIS Institute in Tübingen and the Innovation Park AI (IPAI). Additionally, 550 AI professorships in THE LÄND guarantee the best talent, who are already implementing their unique ideas in more than 850 AI start-ups. The establishment of a State Graduate Center also provides an ideal platform for imparting AI expertise to talented individuals across universities. To strengthen Baden-Württemberg as an international AI hotspot, cooperation across borders will also be intensified and emphasis will be placed on high-performance and specialized chips.
In THE LÄND, quantum technology is being driven forward in the state initiative QuantumBW. To enable major industry players, universities and research institutions to further bring together their expertise in quantum sensor technology, quantum computing and quantum networks, the state is providing around 32 million euros for the period 2023 to 2027.
Baden-Württemberg approaches mobility sustainably
In THE LÄND, mobility is being led into the future. In the automotive industry, the state agency e-mobil BW is working together with the InnovationCampus Future Mobility (ICM), the Battery Cell Research Factory, the Centre for Digitalized Battery Cell Production and the Fuel Cell Research Factory HyFab not only on sustainable hardware, but also on competitive software in the vehicle itself. Looking ahead, expertise in battery cell, hydrogen and fuel cell and electric motor technology will be further advanced and autonomous driving, battery-electric trucks and open source collaborations will be promoted.
Climate-neutral flights are also a focal point in the aerospace industry. Accordingly, the University of Stuttgart - with one of the largest aerospace faculties in Europe - is researching this goal in a special research area. As a further measure, the state is planning to build a “Green Space” and welcomes all talented people who want to fly high.
Through its commitment to the international cluster of excellence POLiS and its vision of a post-lithium era, THE LÄND also emphasizes the importance of GreenTech in the mobility sector.
Baden-Württemberg strengthens its leading role as a healthcare location
With a share of 9.2% of the overall economy, the healthcare industry in Southwest Germany is the sector with the strongest growth. It is a leading sector based on promotion, exchange and foresight. For example, 60 innovative (research) projects have already received 125 million euros in funding and the Health & Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim innovation campus has received over 23 million euros from the state in the years 2021 to 2023 and will continue to receive funding in subsequent years. The establishment of a branch office for “virus-based therapies” of the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB will not only strengthen cooperation between research and industry in this important future field, but also the healthcare location itself.
The state aims to become the international “place to be” for innovative companies in the healthcare sector by establishing good framework conditions and streamlined approval procedures for science and industry, further digitalizing the medical data infrastructure through platforms such as MEDI:CUS and exploiting opportunities from AI or gene and cell therapy, so that technological advances are made in THE LÄND.
Baden-Württemberg relies on start-ups
The German Southwest is an outstanding start-up LÄND. This is also confirmed by the German Start-up Association's Next Generation Report 2024. It shows that start-ups in Baden-Württemberg have increased significantly and that cities such as Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Freiburg and Mannheim are particularly strong when it comes to establishing start-ups. The state wants to expand the ecosystem for start-ups with better framework conditions, financing options and stronger networking opportunities.
