Software and IT in Potsdam

In 1936 Konrad Zuse developed the first universal computer in the world in Berlin. A revolutionary idea that was supposed to change the world. Since then a lot has changed. But one thing has remained the same: With its innovative IT and communication technology, the capital city region is still at the top today. About 7,700 companies with 67,000 employees generate an annual economic impact of more than 1 billion in sales in the region.

One of the most dynamic and attractive locations in this high-tech region is the state capital Potsdam. There are more than 800 companies with more than 6,000 employees in this field with a trend toward added growth and importance. This is so because IT and communication companies already are responsible for a bigger share of the commercial tax revenue of Potsdam than companies in the manufacturing industry, for example. Besides renowned names like Oracle or SAP the location is characterized by smaller and highly specialized IT companies.The biggest private employer is SNT AG; market heavyweights like EBay and PayPal are located at the gates of the city.

The range of their areas of emphasis is as great as the number of companies. The focus is on mobile, hybrid and secure IT applications, technologies and services for industry, management and private users. A special focus lies in the field of geo-information. In this competitive research area of institutions like the GeoResearchCenter and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, numerous firms deal with the production of geo-information products like applications for disaster management, mobile communication or satellite navigation for example. The Potsdam media industry sends strong impulses to the IT sector. Considering the progressive digitization in film and television production as well as the convergence of different media and formats, many new and future-oriented business activities also arise for IT companies.

The engagement of SAP founder Hasso Plattner in the IT location Potsdam is unique. The Hasso Plattner Institute for Software System Technology (HPI) is financed by private resources and is located at the University of Potsdam. Excellent trainees are educated and first-class research is conducted. At the integrated ‘School of Design Thinking’ – the school of innovative development – an additional course of study is also taught in interdisciplinary teams about how to develop especially user-friendly, IT-related products and services. Hasso Plattner Ventures is a first-class business incubator for young ambitious IT companies. All this is enhanced by many other programs e. g. the university course ‘Interface Design’ at the University for Applied Science.

Extensive funding opportunities, the high number of professionals available, excellent conditions and numerous networks and initiatives round out the picture.

» Contact persons:
» IT / Communication: Mr Klünder, Ms Moll
» Geo-Information: Mr Kuffel

Institutions
» Hasso Plattner Institute of IT Systems Engineering (HPI)
» University of Potsdam | Institute of Computer Science (IFI)
» University of Applied Sciences Potsdam | Interfacedesign
» Hasso-Plattner-Ventures (HPV)
» GeoResearchCenter (GFZ)
» Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research (PIK)
» Alfred Wegner Institute of Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
» Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS)
» University of Potsdam | Institute of Geography

Networks
» Silicon Sanssouci (network)
» GEOkomm (organization | network)
» MediaNet Berlin-Brandenburg (MediaNet)
» Association for companies in the IT and Internet industry in Berlin and Brandenburg (SIBB)
» Mobility and communication Berlin-Brandenburg (MobKom)
» Security and Safety made in Berlin-Brandenburg (SeSamBB)