Destination: Future

On March 20, the Lausitz Science Park (LSP) team brought together various partners, interested parties and future stakeholders from science, business and society for the first major workshop. True to the motto "It's time to say bye to the tie..." by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, everyone left their ties at home and rolled up their sleeves together. The location was a very special one: the former Tower Cottbus.

The focus was on questions such as:

• What services and products do small, medium-sized and large companies expect from the Lausitz Science Park?
• What services do researchers at both universities and non-university institutes want from the new science and technology location?
• How can services and products be monetized or financed?
• How can the transition from structural change project to successful company succeed?

Keynote speakers and themed tables

The event was kicked off by Prof. Dr Michael Hübner, Vice President for Research and Transfer at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, André Röhrig, responsible for networking and internationalisation in the LSP project group, and Sebastian Hettchen from the Institute for New Industrial Culture. Afterwards, David Pitschmann from Lakeside Science & Technology Park and Peter Häfner from the management consultancy Innocentric GmbH provided inspiration as keynote speakers.

In his presentation, David Pitschmann shared his understanding and experience of how he and his team used the quadruple helix model to develop the Lakeside Science & Technology Park and foster an innovation ecosystem. Special focus: innovative methods in education, entrepreneurial education and technology in innovation. Peter Häfner, on the other hand, focussed on what (commercially viable) offers and services the LSP can provide in the field of innovation. He outlined various possible solutions, which were then discussed constructively by the workshop participants. 

Anchor point in the Berlin-Lausitz innovation corridor

One insight after these intensive hours: The tasks are clearly defined and expectations are high. But everyone is united by the same goal: Lusatia at the end of the Berlin-Lusatia innovation corridor needs a successful science and technology park that combines excellent basic and applied research with innovative spin-offs and numerous Company Relocations. To this end, all the inspiring ideas and suggestions are now being sorted, classified and evaluated in order to put the business development for the Lausitz Science Park on a sustainable footing.