Potsdam-Golm Science Park is transforming into one of the most innovative and promising locations for scientific research in the state of Brandenburg. Since the mid-1990s, the science park has grown to host three Max Planck institutes, two Fraunhofer Gesellschaft institutes, an incubation centre (GO:IN) and many innovation-oriented businesses.
Wider horizons for Potsdam-Golm Science Park
- 16 December 2009
We joined GO:IN a year ago because it offered us the optimum conditions for turning our scientific ideas into marketable propositions. The fact that the design of laboratory and office areas could be individually selected by each leaseholder was also a crucial factor in our decision. Furthermore, GO:IN offers us a broad spectrum of additional services. These include the use of consultation rooms, presentation technology and a secretarial service if required. In a nutshell GO:IN makes every effort to ensure that we feel at home.
Spread over an area of more than 50 hectares, this science park attracts the brightest of minds to lead international research on anything from biotechnology to gravitational physics. The park offers excellent infrastructure and ideal conditions for renowned scientific research institutes, technology-oriented and research-based companies and innovative entrepreneurs.
Where science and business meet
Renovation started on the old buildings of the former university of Potsdam in 1993. Previously run by the ministry of state security in the GDR period, the site attracted much investment from national sources in its initial construction phase. In the second and third phases, the project was financed in part from the European Regional Development Fund.
The main aims of the project were to create a park which would integrate both science and business, combine research through greater interinstitutional cooperation, initiate spin-offs, support know-how and technology transfer to local and regional businesses.
In 1999 the Max Planck Institutes for Gravitational Physics, Colloids and Interfaces and Molecular Plant Physiology opened their doors. With investments of more than €75m from national funds, Golm marked the biggest investment in the history of the Max Planck Society.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research joined Potsdam-Golm Science Park in 2003 and in 2006 the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering started its research work in a new and modern building.
Creating conditions for growth
The extensive research potential offers optimal conditions for new product developments and services and new enterprises. Consequently many start-up companies arose from the research institutes and the university. In order to support technology transfer and to foster networking between science and the economy, the city of Potsdam created GO:IN, the Golm Innovation Centre, co-financed by the ERDF.
GO:IN opened in 2007 and offers 4 000 m² of office space, laboratories and storage. It provides ideal starting conditions for new entrepreneurs with services like conference rooms, joint marketing and a coaching service. By the summer of 2008, 80% of available space was booked and 28 enterprises were housed within GO:IN.
The strategic decision to concentrate specific research institutes and important Potsdam University faculties within the Science Park at Golm made it possible to establish within a decade a research cluster which is recognised at international level. More than 1500 scientists are working at the science park and the different university institutes boast 7 700 students.