BTU puts research into practice: LSP GmbH begins operations

The new company will be responsible for the development and operation of the science park on the site of the former Cottbus-Nord airfield. The shareholders are the City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz, the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and Wista GmbH from Berlin-Adlershof, whose science park serves as a model for the Lausitz Science Park. The state government is supporting the process as one of the flagship projects in the structural transformation of the Lausitz region.

Kathrin Schneider, Minister and Head of the State Chancellery,said: “The establishment of LSP GmbH by the City of Cottbus, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) and the Adlershof science and business hub marks a decisive milestone for the Lausitz Science Park. This step paves the way for close integration between science and industry, with the aim of creating new value chains from innovative research and strengthening Lusatia as a hub for forward-looking technologies. The task now is to drive forward the park’s strategic development. To this end, the three shareholders are securing funding for the next five years, thereby laying the foundations for sustainable progress. The state is actively supporting this process.”

Mayor Doreen Mohaupt: “With more than 420 hectares of development land and a direct link to BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, the Lausitz Science Park forms an economic and scientific hub with high spin-off potential within the Berlin-Lausitz innovation corridor. The establishment of the joint venture LSP GmbH by the shareholders – BTU, Wista Berlin and the City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz – is intended to strengthen and consolidate these activities. This will see land put to use, economic value created at the site, high-quality job opportunities generated and, consequently, additional tax revenue generated. This will benefit not only the Lausitz Science Park itself, but the development will also have a positive impact on the city and the region. We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported this process – first and foremost the State of Brandenburg.”

Prof. Gesine Grande, President of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: “With LSP GmbH, the Lausitz Science Park now has the structure it needs to realise its full potential. As a scientific partner, the BTU brings precisely what is needed to drive structural change in Lusatia: international research strength, bright minds from all over the world and a vibrant start-up scene that boldly puts ideas into practice. Through this joint venture, we are laying the foundations for excellent science to be transformed into concrete innovations, for businesses to grow and for new jobs to be created in the region. In this way, Lusatia is developing into a dynamic, internationally recognised hub for science and innovation – and into one of Germany’s most exciting laboratories for the future.”

Roland Sillmann, Manager, WISTA Management GmbH: “The establishment of Lausitz Science Park GmbH is an important milestone on the path towards a networked and sustainable economic, high-tech and scientific region and the Berlin-Lusatia innovation corridor. As the operator of the future technology and science park in Cottbus, LSP GmbH will optimise the transfer of knowledge between research and industry and transform knowledge into added value – thereby strengthening the innovative capacity of the entire region. Furthermore, LSP GmbH is one of the forward-looking, cross-state start-ups with shareholders from Berlin and Brandenburg: the region needs more of these to be able to compete successfully in the long term in the international race for high technology, knowledge and talent.”