Chemnitz is increasingly developing into a relevant location for applied research, the healthcare industry and technology-driven start-ups. Against this backdrop, leap:up, a wholly owned subsidiary of the industry association biosaxony, will have its own local office from 2026. The aim is to bring together regional players and intensify the transfer from science to commercial application in a targeted manner.
Southwest Saxony is confronted with four key structural developments: Accelerated demographic change, the growing shortage of skilled labour in the healthcare sector, industrial transformation - particularly in the automotive sector - and increasing gaps in healthcare provision in rural regions. At the same time, there is an opportunity to actively shape structural change. The decline of the automotive industry is being accompanied by a significant upturn in the life sciences and medical technology sector. This driver of innovation and growth will drive economic regeneration.
"The timing for this step is therefore ideal," says André Hofmann, CEO of leap:up GmbH. "Chemnitz has strong scientific and clinical expertise as well as an established network of committed players. leap:up complements these strengths with tried-and-tested transfer formats and implementation experience - a constellation that makes it possible to anchor technology transfer in the region in the long term." Dr Oliver Uecke, Chairman of the Board of biosaxony e.V., adds: "As an association, proximity to our members and partners is very important to us, as this is the only way that everyone involved can derive the greatest possible added value from the cooperation opportunities and services offered by biosaxony e.V."."
Strong alliance for south-west Saxony
The development of the site is supported by a broad regional alliance of local authorities, science, healthcare and financing: the City of Chemnitz, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz Hospital and Volksbank Chemnitz eG. and the site complex die fabrik chemnitz.
Sebastian Michaelis from the City of Chemnitz Economic Development Department, responsible for business services and site management, explains: "With the multi-stakeholder approach, we systematically network the players from the municipality, science and healthcare with medical technology companies. We can also offer targeted support in the search for new sites for products and services. The involvement of leap:up strengthens this approach because it brings transfer experience and operational implementation expertise to this interaction."
Prof. Anja Strobel, Vice-Rector for Research and University Development at Chemnitz University of Technology, emphasises the useful addition of leap:up GmbH to the transfer chain: "With SAXEED and other successful start-up incubators, we have been supporting start-ups from within the university for many years. The newly created Health and Medical Technology division strengthens the transfer activities from within Chemnitz University of Technology. From now on, leap:up can start where scientific findings are further developed in cooperation with industry and the healthcare sector and transferred into marketable applications. This addition strengthens transfer in the region and helps to permanently anchor value creation in south-west Saxony."
Prof. Dr Martin Wolz, Medical Director of Chemnitz Hospital, emphasises: "Clinical innovation arises where medical practice, research and entrepreneurial implementation come together. The Chemnitz Health Campus offers ideal conditions for this, which are specifically strengthened by the transfer expertise of leap:up."
For Gunnar Bertram, Chairman of the Board of Volksbank Chemnitz eG and President of the Chemnitz Regional Chamber of Industry and Commerce, one thing is clear: "Sustainable innovation needs stable financing and regional roots. leap:up creates a framework that enables investment and secures economic development in the long term."
The new leap:up site is located in the fabrik chemnitz, which sees itself as the region's central innovation hub. Frank Steinert, initiator and one of the three co-founders, and Susann Wübbens, COO of fabrik chemnitz, explain jointly: "fabrik chemnitz goes beyond providing space for leap:up. It acts as an active hub for entrepreneurial development and technology transfer, where players from research, start-ups and established companies come together in a targeted manner. From here, value chains are initiated that have a sustainable impact in the region. With leap:up, this approach has gained a partner that consistently puts transfer into practice."
What leap:up plans to do in Chemnitz
With the Chemnitz location, leap:up initiates transfer projects between science, clinics and industry, supports spin-offs and start-ups and networks regional expertise. The aim is to establish sustainable structures for technology transfer in south-west Saxony and to permanently anchor value creation in the region. "Our aim is to actively facilitate value creation," says Hofmann. "Chemnitz offers the right partners and the right momentum for this."
Contact:
Urs Moesenfechtel
Public Relations
leap:up GmbH
Email: urs.moesenfechtel@leap-up.com
Website: www.leap-up.com
Credits: Natalie Bleyl / radar studios
