🕊️ On May 8, 2025, Mittweida became the center of an international business dialogue.
What usually takes place in capital cities or at high-profile forums, took place here in the Saxon university town: the Estonian-Saxon exchange „Building Bridges“ brought together leading representatives from politics, business and science - symbolically and practically building a bridge between two highly innovative regions in Europe.
The Highlight of the day: President of Estonia Prof. Dr. Alar Karis was a personal guest at the workbench32 - an event with special significance.
The fact that a European head of state is coming to Mittweida makes it clear what Radiance the regional innovation ecosystem around Teleskopeffektwhich Volksbank Mittweida and the Workbench32 unfolds today.
Estonia in particular, internationally recognized as a pioneer in e-government and digitalization, sees Mittweida as a partner on an equal footing - not in size, but in attitude: visionary, pragmatic, cooperative.
📍 The day began with a reception in the world's only D(e)-Estonia showroom, who, together with the e-Estonia Briefing Center a symbol of active partnership and a platform for exchange and inspiration.
Here, President Karis signed the Golden book of the city in the presence of Lord Mayor Ralf Schreiber and Prof. Dr. Leonhard Zintl, Chairman of the Management Board of Volksbank Mittweida and long-time bridge builder between Saxony and Estonia.
In his welcoming address, Prof. Zintl recalled Bernhard Schmidt, the Estonian astro-optician who once studied in Mittweida. Today, Schmidt is emblematic of what shaped the event:
Boundless curiosity, technological excellence and European thinking.
Prof. Dr. Volker Tolkmitt, Rector of the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, took up this idea: In his speech, he emphasized the role of the university as a place of excellent research and innovation.
Mittweida is now a center for key topics such as Cybersecurity, Blockchain, interpretable AI, Virtual and augmented reality - These are all areas in which Estonia is already setting standards.
The university has long been more than just a provider of knowledge, but Active part of an international partner network, which enables concrete innovation projects between Saxony and Estonia.
The second part of the business dialog continued at 10:30 a.m. with contributions from:
The day was accompanied by an Estonian Business delegation, who brought specific topics, projects and areas of cooperation with her.
In the subsequent Panel discussion the similarities were emphasized:
The location of the event - the Workbench32 - was far more than just a backdrop. Once again, it became the visible expression of a regional will for transformation.
This shows: Great innovation does not need big cities. It needs spaces, attitudes and networks.
The „Building Bridges“ format exemplifies the philosophy behind Teleskopeffekt and Volksbank Mittweida: locally rooted - internationally networked.
After the official part, the event culminated in an informal Networking, where the representatives and guests were able to exchange ideas directly.
New bridges were built over regional snacks and inspiring conversations - in keeping with the event motto.
May 8 impressively demonstrated this:
Regional innovation locations such as Mittweida can bring together international politics, business and research - at eye level.
And in doing so, they are making a contribution to the future of Europe - not in the shadow of the metropolitan areas, but with their own profile.
For more information about Estonia and the connection to the TeleskopEffekt as well as your opportunity to benefit from it - e.g. through an individual Learning Journey to the pioneering country of digital transformation - simply contact us via the banner below.
Alternatively, you can also call us at any time on: 0157 763 790 47
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