Signing the rental agreement for the Jena Digital Werkstadt

Jena Digital Werkstadt: shared space for digitalization, innovation and knowledge transfer takes shape

Jena, July 11, 2023 - The city of Jena and the association Jena Digital e. V. sign the rental agreement for the establishment of the digital innovation hub "Jena Digital Werkstadt".This will create a shared space for digitalization, innovation and knowledge transfer in the Post Carré in the heart of Jena's city centre.

In future, players from business, science, administration and interested members of the city's society will come together here to developinnovative solutions for the challenges of the digital world.

In the Jena Digital Werkstadt

• digitalexperts can network with each other,

• students and researchers can exchange interdisciplinary knowledge with industry and social stakeholders in participation formats and develop joint digital solutions,

• children, young people and interested citizens can be taught digital skills and thus be made fit for a self-determined use of electronic media,

• founders can find a starting point on their way to a successful business model and exchange ideas with business, science and administration,

• citizens can help shape the digital city

The Jena Digital Werkstadt will createan open working atmosphere for business, administration and universities inthe future. The integrated showroom concept makes it possible topresent digital solutions . As an experimental space, digital applications can be tested andfurtherdeveloped here- as a multifunctional area, the Jena Digital Werkstadt is also a place for inspiration, discussion and participation via events, exchange and participation formats as well as a trainingroom for further education and workshops for acquiring digital skills.

This ideawas developedas part of the approximately two-and-a-half-year strategy phase of the Smart City model project funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building.The city administration of Jena and the Jena Digital e. V. associationwill jointly ensure the operation of the Jena Digital Werkstadt in future and bear the costs incurred.

The head of department responsible for the Smart City project, Benjamin Koppe, is delighted about the first important step in the implementation phase as part of the project's field of action 4 "Business and science":

Jena is a digital location. In future,the Digital Werkstadt will be the central point of contact for promoting exchange on the topic of digitalization between citizens, business, science and administration.Only through cooperation and dialog will it be possible to work innovatively and develop digital solutions for various challenges in our city.

Cooperation with the innovation network Jena Digital e. V. is an important prerequisite for the successful development of activities in the future think tank. 40 companies and institutions from the digital economy have joined the association in order to jointly promote Jena as a digital location.

Wilfried Röpke, Economic Development Manager and Chairman of the Board of Jena Digital e. V., emphasizes the importance of the Jena Digital Werkstadt for the city:

'The signing of the lease for the Jena Digital Werkstadt is a milestone in strengtheningJena as a digital location.In future, innovative minds will develop smart and sustainable solutions here together with experts from the digital economy and science in co-creative processes.

Christian Grötsch, as part of the Board of Directors and Managing Director of the digital agency dotSource SE, is looking forward to the collaboration: "Around two years after its foundation, the Jena Digital Werkstadt has created a home for our association Jena Digital e. V.As representatives of the digital economy, we are familiar with the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. By working together in the hub, we can learn from each other, develop innovative ideas and further advance our city.We are very much looking forward to working with all those involved and hopefully many exciting implementation projects."

The active support of the two local universities will further strengthen knowledge transfer and the implementation of digital innovations in practice.

Prof. Dr. Kristin Mitte, Vice President for Research and Development at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, sees great potential in the collaboration:

'As an application-oriented university, we are closely connected to the economy and the needs of theregion.The exchange with companies, the city andcitizens will provide students with valuable insights into practice and strengthen regional development.

The Jena Digital Werkstadt will officially open at the end of the year.Until then, further preparations and design work will be carried out to create an inspiring and innovative space that promotes knowledge transfer and collaborationbetween all stakeholders, including citizens.

About the Jena Digital Werkstadt:

The Jena Digital Werkstadt is a joint project of the city of Jena via the Smart City Jena model project and the Jena Digital e. V. association. It networks business, science, administration and theinterested public in order to jointly develop innovative solutions for the challenges of the digital world:

Further information can be found at https://smartcity.jena.de/smart-city-projekt/massnahmen-handlungsfeld-4

About Jena Digital e. V.:

Jena Digital is the innovation network for digital business & science in Jena.As a joint communication and cooperation platform with around 40 members, Jena Digital offers important conditions for networking, knowledge transfer, innovation and location development with the aim of establishing Jena as a beacon for the digital economy and science in Germany.

Further information can be found at: www.jena-digital.de

Address Jena Digital Werkstadt:

Engelplatz 8

07743 Jena