Saxony has a chance together – or it has no chance at all!”
Saxony is strong – but does not yet use its strength to the full. Why do we accept as a given that other regions are stronger than we are? The competition is not in Dresden, Leipzig or Chemnitz. It is in London, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich or Prague. Saxony as a business location can play a central role in international and national competition. But that will only succeed if the key cities of Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz and their start-up ecosystems function locally, cooperate regionally and present themselves nationally and internationally.
Only together do we have a real chance in the medium and long term of remaining relevant as an economic region in Europe. Knowledge transfer between universities and young, old, small and large companies, as well as successful financing of promising entrepreneurs, companies, start-ups and projects, must be merged into a regionally effective overall system.
Creating a start-up ecosystem in which all relevant actors – entrepreneurs, universities, investors, government, mentors, large companies and service providers – work together is the central task for the Free State and its actors. Such an ecosystem is the basis for a healthy start-up culture that provides fertile ground for inspiring founder personalities, great ideas and sustainable business models. We have done good work so far and are now ready to ignite the next stage.
To support the further development of this ecosystem efficiently, representatives from politics, education and business developed a strategy paper that shows how the Saxon ecosystem currently functions locally and regionally, what deficits can be identified and which local and regional measures will have the greatest leverage for development in the future. It was handed over today at Q-Hub in Chemnitz to Minister-President Michael Kretschmer, to set the right course for start-ups in the next legislative period.
For the first time, representatives of the regions and their hubs are speaking with one voice. Now it is a matter of driving the key changes, involving all other actors and going full throttle.
The WEGVISOR® Leadership Foundation supports startups and startup ecosystems with its resources and its network.
Photo/video: WEGVISOR® / Q-Hub Chemnitz