Intensify communication

The financing of the project, which should strengthen the international competitiveness of the IT sector in the Darmstadt Rhein Main Neckar region, has therefore been secured. The objective is to promote the development of the region as a globally significant network and center of innovation for information and communication technology while increasing its prominence. One of the steps towards this goal will be to intensify the exchange of information between, above all, small and medium-sized IT companies. Furthermore, the transfer of knowledge between universities and companies should also be expanded.

Fifty percent of the project costs incurred by the Software Cluster Rhein Main Neckar will be financed by the IHK Darmstadt, the TU Darmstadt and the partners, Software AG, SAP AG and IDS Scheer AG. The State of Hessen will support the Cluster for a period of three years with a further fifty percent using money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The overall budget for the project amounts to 700,000 Euros.

The coordinator is based at the IHK Darmstadt

Jürgen Ackermann, manager of the Cluster, is responsible for the practical implementation of the project. His office is located on the premises of the IHK Darmstadt and he has been working for the Software Cluster since April of this year. The strategic objectives of the project are determined by the steering committee of the Software Cluster Rhein Main Neckar. The steering committee includes representatives from the Cluster partners, such as the IHK Darmstadt, the TU Darmstadt, Software AG and SAP AG.

Contact:
Jürgen Ackermann,
Cluster-Manager,
c/o IHK Darmstadt,
Telephone: 06151 871-129,
E-Mail: ackermanndarmstadt.ihk.de

Dr. Roland Lentz, Economic Spokesperson of the Software Cluster Rhein Main Neckar:“The IHK Darmstadt has been relying on networks for many years now, such as the successful portal IT4work for example. The financial aid provided to the Software Cluster by the State of Hessen also confirms something that we have known for a long: closer cooperation between science and business will play a key role in the future of our region. This network can be used to develop innovations and products that will help the companies to remain competitive in the long term. It will also create jobs. We are not only convinced that the companies and researchers in the Software Cluster will benefit from the network over the next three years, we also think the Cluster will be able to stand on its own two feet by then end of this period.”

Dr. Roland Lentz, Scientific Spokesperson of the Software Cluster Rhein Main Neckar:“The Cluster will not only strengthen the traditionally good cooperation between the important research and training institutes in Darmstadt, but also the economy. The cooperation covers the most important areas: research and development, knowledge transfers and the training of specialists and managers. This will turn the region into a pioneer in one of the most important areas of the German economy.”

Norbert Eder, Vice President Corporate Communications of Software AG:“Today is an important and decisive day for the regional Software Cluster. Our future and the chances for the Rhein Main Neckar region as a key IT location lie in the formation of a cluster. The successful clusters in Oulu, Bangalore or Silicon Valley substantiate this fact very clearly. A cluster also provides a greater degree of clarity for everybody involved and, therefore, improves business opportunities. The potential provided by a software cluster, such as the global dominance in the business software sector, need to be utilized and expanded. This not only helps the region, but also Germany as a business location.”

Steffen Saebisch, State Secretary of the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Transport and Urban and Rural Development (FDP): “According to our perception of market economy-oriented economic policy, it is not the task of the state to establish clusters for specific sectors in specific regions. However, the task of the state can and should be to help existing and emerging clusters develop their network structures and their network activities. In doing so, we view the promotion of cluster networks as an integral part of the promotion of innovation.“

Industrie- und Handelskammer Darmstadt - Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
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Press information from the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) Darmstadt Rhein Main Neckar