Industry, commerce, transportation, culture, tourism – the Hanseatic city enjoys an international reputation in so many areas. But what about research and development?

"Hamburg is well on its way to becoming a center for the sciences in Northern Europe." With these words Olaf Scholz recently surprised his audience. The latest examples support the mayor’s vision.

Along with the opening of the Elbphilharmonie and the G20 summit, the introduction of the super laser European XFEL is one of the most important events to occur in Hamburg last year. Other scientific institutions also launched in 2017, including the Hamburg Open Online University (HOOU) where all six of the city’s public universities are jointly developing new digital formats and contents.

The fact that Hamburg is hoisting its flag in 2018 at Research & Technology in Hannover after several years absence fits the plan. The participation of Hamburg Innovation, Hamburg Marketing, Hamburg Invest, and all the universities will present Hamburg as the center of innovation and science in the north. To underscore this, VIPs from the political sphere will appear at the stand in Hall 2: Frank Horch, senator in charge of economics will appear live along with Katharina Fegebank, deputy mayor and senator in charge of science.

"Our latest flagship is the European XFEL, which is the Elbphilharmonie of science," explains Dr. Rolf Strittmatter, Managing Director of Hamburg Invest. Practical research applications are also receiving support. "Along with expanding and strengthening university research, new scientific institutions are also on the agenda. Max Planck, Fraunhofer, and the German Aerospace Center are just some of the most recognizable names," says Strittmatter.

As the central contact point for scientific and technology-oriented startups, Hamburg Invest is also developing four research and innovation parks. "In addition, we are promoting the city internationally as a location for startups and innovations. After all, Hamburg took Berlin’s place in 2016 as the main German city for entrepreneurs," says Strittmatter. "In Hamburg the interface between new and old enterprises works extremely well. Traditional companies are investing heavily in new ideas and making room available for growth. That doesn’t exist in Berlin."