Heidelberg, July 19, 2024 – The Heidelberg Technology Park, a central institution for innovation and technology in the Rhine-Neckar region and beyond, celebrated its 40th anniversary yesterday at the Business Development Center (BDC) Heidelberg. The event attracted numerous guests from politics, business, and academia, providing a platform for exchanging views on the impressive development since 1984 and the future prospects of the park.
The celebrations were marked by speeches from prominent personalities. The speakers included Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner, Mayor of Heidelberg, Dr. André Domin, Managing Director of Heidelberg Technology Park, Dr. Christoph Ganss, CEO of Rheacell and long-time tenant of the Technology Park, Dr. Lars Riedemann, Neurologist at the University Hospital Heidelberg, and Dr. Thomas Prexl, Head of Innovation & Director of the Start-up Support Office at Heidelberg Technology Park.
André Domin opened the event, emphasizing the continuous development of the Technology Park since its inception in 1984. "From humble beginnings to becoming one of Europe's leading technology centers, the Heidelberg Technology Park has consistently stood out as a promoter of innovation and entrepreneurship," said Domin.
The Heidelberg Technology Park was established in response to the need for specialized infrastructure for technology-oriented companies. Initially starting with a few buildings in Neuenheimer Feld and the old slaughterhouse, the park today hosts over 100 companies and institutions across eight locations, spanning biotechnology, IT, environmental technology, and many other forward-looking sectors.
"In the last four decades, we have managed to create a unique platform for innovation and collaboration. Our success is based on a close integration of science, business, and networks," Domin added.
Mayor Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner highlighted the importance of the Technology Park for the city of Heidelberg in his speech. "The Technology Park is not only a place of progress and innovation but also a significant economic factor and promoter in our region," Würzner emphasized.
Dr. Christoph Ganss shared his early research experiences and the founding of his company 20 years ago. He highlighted the key role the Technology Park has played as a partner and promoter up to this day. The opportunity provided by the Technology Park allowed his company, Rheacell, to grow from initially two to now 90 employees within the park's premises, which is of great value.
Dr. Lars Riedemann, who specializes in the interface between neurology and new medical methods in virtual reality, thanked the Technology Park for the long-term collaboration that made it possible to create a platform and network. A significant milestone here is the Shift Medical conference. This international, partly virtual congress enables cross-border knowledge exchange among start-ups, researchers, scientists, and established companies in the medical field. "This was only made possible through collaboration with the Heidelberg Startup Partners e.V.," emphasized Riedemann.
Dr. Thomas Prexl outlined the remarkable development of the start-up scene in Heidelberg over the past ten years and highlighted how the Technology Park has acted as a catalyst for numerous success stories. From recognizing the high demand for start-up support in Heidelberg and Baden-Württemberg to developing a strategy to meet this need. "The support from the Technology Park has significantly contributed to making Heidelberg a leading location for start-ups and innovation," Prexl added. The second edition of found, Heidelberg's start-up magazine, once again showcases significant Heidelberg start-ups and investors.
"Our mission has been and continues to be creating an environment where innovative ideas can thrive. We are proud that numerous breakthroughs and successful company foundations have begun through the accelerator programs here at the Technology Park," Domin emphasized.
The anniversary celebration also provided an opportunity to look ahead. The speakers agreed that Heidelberg Technology Park will continue to play a central role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
"Looking to the future is even more important to us than reflecting on our successes. We look forward to continuing to be a driving force for innovation and economic progress in the coming years," concluded Domin.
Presse Contakt:
Clara Jassoy
Marketing & PR
Technologiepark Heidelberg GmbH
Im Neuenheimer Feld 582
69120 Heidelberg
E-Mail: clara.jassoy@heidelberg.de
Telefon: +49 6221 714111-68
www.technologiepark-heidelberg.de/en
About Heidelberg Technology Park
Founded in 1984, Technology Park Heidelberg is one of Europe's leading innovation and technology centers. With its state-of-the-art laboratory and office spaces, the park provides ideal conditions for startups and established companies in biotechnology, IT, and many other high-tech sectors. The Technology Park actively promotes knowledge exchange and collaboration between research, business, and science, significantly contributing to the economic development of the region.
The press release can be downloaded here.
