In 1936 Konrad Zuse developed the first universal computer in the world in Berlin. This was a revolutionary idea that was to change the world. Much has changed since then, but one thing hasn't changed: when it comes to innovative information and communications technologies, the capitol city area of Berlin-Brandenburg is still at the top. There are around 3,700 companies with more than 38,000 employees in the region.
One of the most dynamic and attractive locations in this high-tech region is the state capitol city of Potsdam. There are more than 750 companies with over 5,000 people employed in aforementioned branches, which are continuing to grow and gain in importance. As an example, the information and communications companies are now paying the largest share of Potsdam's commercial tax base - even more than what manufacturing companies contribute. Aside from the big name firms such as Oracle, smaller and highly-specialized IT companies are also leaving their mark on Potsdam. The largest private employer in the city is the SNT AG Corporation, while two other big name players, eBay and PayPal, have their operations set up just beyond the city limits.
The large number of companies located here is matched by a broad spectrum of themes with which the firms are occupied. The main activities of the companies revolve around mobile, hybrid, and secure IT-applications along with services and technologies for business, administration and private users. A special focus is placed on the geo-information field. In the high-performance research environment occupied by institutions such the GeoForschungsZentrum (Geological Reasearch Center) and the Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung (Potsdam Institute for Climate Research), numerous companies are involved in producing geo-information products. These products include applications for catastrophe management, mobile communications, or satellite navigation. The Potsdam media industry also has a strong stimulating influence on the IT branch. Owing to the ongoing growth of digitalization in film and television production, as well as the convergence of various media and formats, IT companies have already found many new future-oriented fields of business.
The commitment of SAP's founder, Hasso Plattner, to this important IT location is unique. The Hasso-Plattner-Institute for Software Systems Technology, which is located on the campus of the University of Potsdam, is financed by private means. Excellent young scientists are trained here while they engage in first-class research. In an add-on course of studies at the integrated "School of Design Thinking"(part of the school of creative development), students learn how especially user-friendly IT-related products and services can be developed, while working in multi-disciplinary teams. In addition to this, rising young IT companies have access to the Hasso-Plattner-Ventures, which is a first-class business-incubator, located on the premises of the institute. This spectrum of opportunities is extended and enriched through many more offers, including the "Interface Design" course of study at the Potsdam College of Applied Sciences.
To round off this picture, there is a wide range of support schemes, a readily-available pool of skilled workers, excellent surrounding conditions, and numerous networks and other business initiatives.
Contact
Your point-of-contacts are:
» ICT: Herr Klünder, Frau Moll
» Geoinformation: Herr Kuffel
Links
» Funding: Zukunftsagentur Brandenburg (ZAB)
» Facts and Figures: ICT
» Commercial Space: Technology and Start-Up Center
Institutions
» Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Softwaresystemtechnik (HPI)
» Universität Potsdam | Institut für Informatik (IFI)
» Fachhochschule Potsdam | Interfacedesign (Link)
» Hasso-Plattner-Ventures (HPV)
» Deutsches Geoforschungszentrum (GFZ)
» Potsdamer Institut für Klimafolgenforschung (PIK)
» Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI)
» Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS)
» Universität Potsdam | Institut für Geografie (Link)
Networks
» GEOkomm (Association | Network)
» MediaNet Berlin-Brandenburg (MediaNet)
» Verband der Software-, Informations-, Kommunikations-Industrie Berlin-Brandenburg (SIBB)
» Mobilität und Kommunikation Berlin-Brandenburg (MobKom)
» Security and Safety made in Berlin-Brandenburg (SeSamBB)
