Cluster Report Photonics in the Capital Region Berlin-Brandenburg

1.1 Welcome Address The

1.1 Welcome Address The capital region is one of the most innovative regions in Europe and takes the lead in many key technologies. These include optical technologies and microsystems technology, which are highly developed in the region. With the multi-state cluster photonics, set up in 2011, which comprises the optical technologies and microsystems technology in Berlin and Brandenburg, we successfully completed the organizational foundation of the joint innovation strategy of the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg (innoBB). Even within the robust economic development in Germany, this cluster shines with its above-average performance. Especially for many of the small and medium-sized enterprises, 2011 was an extremely successful year. Other regional industries benefit from this positive development, since the optical technology and microsystems technology can be found in many application areas, such as medical and measuring equipment or communications. The collaboration between companies, research centers and universities is paying off. Many companies have been spun off from research organizations and are very successful on the world market. They create new jobs and strengthen the excellent reputation of the German capital region as a business and innovation center. In just the past five years, the region has recorded more than 50 start-ups and new settlements in the industry. The present Cluster Report Photonics is dedicated to this success story. It gives an overview of what is happening in industry and illuminates the enormous potential of Berlin and Brandenburg in this technology field. The expectation that our common technology and innovation policy would result in the creation of new jobs has become reality. This is encouragement to continue on this path. The capital region has developed into one of the largest high-tech industry sites in optical technologies and microsystems technology; these fields continue to grow. In such a melting pot of companies and research institutions one researches, tests and discovers. The high density of industry players creates ideal conditions for a mutual transfer of know-how between science and industry. Cornelia Yzer Senator for Economy, Technology and Research of Berlin Ralf Christoffers Minister for Economic and European Affairs of Brandenburg 6

1.2 Editorial Optical technologies from Germany have a long tradition and are world leading in many fields. Microsystems technology, however, is a relatively young industry, which symbolizes the demands of global competition for innovative products: smaller, more efficient and less costly. With the photonics cluster, Berlin-Brandenburg combines optical technologies and microsystems technology, i.e. tradition and modernity, and hence creates the foundation for a sustainable development of regional businesses and the creation of new jobs in this industry and its many applications. The key to the success of the region is the strong research environment, with its close ties to local industry. In recent years, a variety of network structures have formed in the capital region which are designed to facilitate access to resources such as knowledge or capital for companies and research institutions, both locally and internationally. Since August 2011, photonics is one of five clusters on which the states of Berlin and Brandenburg are focused on, as part of their common innovation strategy. Thereby the high status of the technology field has been reinforced. The further development of the cluster now unequivocally counts among the priorities of the regional innovation policy. We invite all interested readers to participate actively in the development of the great potential of the Photonics cluster in the region. If you want to become more involved, be it as an entrepreneur, or as a scientist, a founder or investor, and want to network, please contact us at any time. The Cluster Report Photonics - Optical Technologies and Microsystems Technology in Berlin and Brandenburg - is in its second edition; it provides a quantitative and qualitative overview of the industry in Berlin-Brandenburg and contributes significantly to increased transparency, both internally and externally. Dr. Adolf M. Kopp Prof. Dr. Eberhard Stens CEO of TSB Innovationsagentur Berlin GmbH Division Manager Optics of Innovationsagentur Berlin GmbH 7