Technology and Transfer in Focus: Hamburg's Senator for Economic Affairs Melanie Leonhard visits DESY

Hamburg's Senator for Economic Affairs Melanie Leonhard visited the German Electron Synchrotron DESY to learn about innovation activities at DESY and in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld. Of particular interest were examples of collaboration with industry and the research center's support for start-ups.

Participants from the semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia and the start-up company Momentum Transfer, which offers analysis services, rounded off the industry perspective during the talks. The main focus here was on the relevance of collaborations and the opportunities for industrial use of the research infrastructure at DESY, in particular the X-ray light sources. This is because findings from investigations using X-ray light can have a direct impact on product development and optimization.

Another topic was the design of the innovation ecosystem at DESY and in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld. The Start-up Labs Hamburg, DESY's Innovation Center, the University of Hamburg, and the city—which has been home to start-ups since 2021—have been transforming Science City's scientific fields into innovations, services and products for the photonics industry, analytics solutions and healthcare applications.

Senator Leonhard was impressed by the innovative strength at DESY and the close links between research and industry. “Technological developments that arise in cooperation between science and industry are crucial for our business hub. It is therefore in our interest to create the best possible conditions in Hamburg,” she said.

Arik Willner emphasized the importance of DESY for Hamburg as a business hub: “DESY offers a unique research infrastructure and analytical expertise which, in conjunction with the other scientific partners, is unique in this form worldwide. This is a unique selling point for Hamburg. Not only do we attract talent and specialists from all over the world, but deep-tech innovations are also created here that promote economic growth.”

The visit included a guided tour of the DESY campus with stops at the PETRA III X-ray light source and a tour of the construction site for the DESY Innovation Factory, the integrated technology and start-up center at DESY. From 2027, the center will offer an innovative research infrastructure for start-ups, scale-ups, and companies that is unique in Germany and will thus have a significant impact on Hamburg's innovation landscape.