The Lausitz Science Park at the G-Forum 2026 in Cottbus

A Focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation

From 16 to 18 September 2026, Cottbus/Chóśebuz hosted the 29th G-Forum. This annual interdisciplinary conference brings together stakeholders from academia and industry and addresses current issues relating to entrepreneurship, innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Lausitz Science Park was represented in the conference programme with its own practice panel. In addition, the team presented the Innovators Club, an initiative of the Lausitz Science Park, in the exhibition area.

How can research have a greater impact in practice?

The Practice Panel centred on the question: How can findings from start-up and innovation research have a greater impact in practice?

Moderated by Prof. Dr Christine Volkmann from the University of Wuppertal, the session brought together diverse perspectives from academia, start-up ecosystems, business and innovation funding.

Participants in the discussion included Julia Backhaus (Lausitz Medical University – Carl Thiem and KEJ Digital Care Solutions), Jannis Gilde (Start-up Association), Dr Natalia Gorynia-Pfeffer (RKW Competence Centre), Christoph Krüger (JUNI Startup Factory), Francesco Pisani (Deloitte), Dr Steffen Preissler (Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI) and Dr Markus Schwenke (Lausitz Science Park).

Together, the participants discussed which scientific findings can provide concrete support to founders, how research findings can be successfully transformed into marketable businesses, and which formats can strengthen the exchange between academia and industry.

People, ideas and connections for a vibrant innovation ecosystem

In his opening remarks at the start of the panel, Dr Markus Schwenke brought the perspective of the Lausitz Science Park to the discussion. A vibrant innovation ecosystem requires not only the necessary infrastructure but, above all, people, ideas and sustainable connections between academia, industry and other stakeholders.

The aim of the joint discussion was to develop three actionable steps for strengthening the transfer between research and industry, thereby generating concrete ideas that would extend beyond the discussion itself.

The G-Forum thus provided a good opportunity to forge new contacts, bring together different perspectives and further strengthen the exchange between academia and industry.

Many thanks to all those involved for the lively discussion, and to all visitors who sought to engage with us at the G-Forum.