Berlin Partner for Business and Technology balance sheet

Berlin's economy continues to grow. The Berlin Partner for Business and Technology 2015 balance sheet reflects this positive trend. In 289 projects, Berlin Partner has supported companies that create a total of 6,650 new jobs in Berlin, bring around 723 million euros in investments to the area. Berlin Partner supports companies coming to Berlin as well as with their growth in Berlin. The fact that the city is currently in the national and international spotlight is reflected by the increasing number of settlements: Berlin Partner was able to increase the number of settlements in the past year by around 60 percent to 99 projects. And the resident companies believe in their location: Nearly 75 percent of all investments – more than half a billion euros – come from local companies.

Cornelia Yzer, Senator for Economics, Technology and Research, said: “Berlin's good economic figures have encouraged us to continue this course, to continue investing in future industries and digitization opportunities in Berlin, because that is what is driving this positive development. We, as an economic administration, identified the potential early on and established the appropriate framework. The task now is to work together to provide the necessary digital infrastructure for the economy to continue to attract foreign companies and investments in the future.”

The digital heart of Europe beats in Berlin. More than half of the jobs created are in the future industries: ICT, media, creative industries. But industry is also growing here, with about half of investments flowing into industry. Berlin has proven to be the place to be for the precise intersection between those two sectors. Indeed, the capital of Germany, with its numerous start-ups and innovative research landscape, offers the best environment for subjects such as Industry 4.0. The electronics giant Würth has also recognized this. In 2015, Berlin Partner supported the Würth Elektronik eiSos Group while they built a Competence Center for 100 employees. Dental Wings is an example of how health can intersect with IT. The Canadian company opened a branch with 30 new jobs in Berlin to develop software solutions for the dental industry. “More and more national and international companies are bringing their development and innovation centers to Berlin. The expertise of the local start-up scene allows them to lead their companies out of Berlin into the digital age,” said Dr. Stefan Franzke, Spokesperson and Managing Director of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology.

Berlin Partner promotes the innovative strength that comes through collaborations via numerous networking events – between established business and science and the start-up scene. Berlin Partner organized more than 100 matching events last year. “Berlin is the perfect interface. That is a unique advantage that companies can turn into real economic value. This message is precisely what we will be focusing on in this year's capital city marketing to showcase Berlin's strengths,” emphasized Andrea Joras, Managing Director of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology. Berlin Partner and visitBerlin went on tour in 2015 with a joint Berlin pop-up store, presenting products and innovations from Berlin in five European cities. This year, Berlin Partner is planning another, additional tour format. The “Start-up meets Grown-up” exhibition will present synergies resulting from the networking of traditional industries with the digital economy – showing real, clear benefits in an eye-catching way. For instance, the world's largest 3D printer from Berlin start-up BigRep, will print a BMW motorcycle as part of the exhibition. This is in reality also particularly exciting for prototype manufacture at the Berlin BMW plant, where more than 130,000 premium vehicles roll off the line every year. The exhibition will make its debut at the HMI industry trade fair in Hannover.