Fields of Technology

• 

  Biotechnology

  In Germany there are now almost 600 companies working in the field of biotechnology. Around 500 of these are "pure" biotech companies whose business is based entirely or predominantly on modern biotechnology processes. Most of these companies are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): In 2007, 490 of them (95%) employed fewer than 250 employees and achieved a turnover of less than EUR 50 million. The KMU-innovativ Biotechnologie - BioChance programme is designed to support SMEs active in the field of biotechnology or that want to expand and strengthen their line of business through the use of biotechnology.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/429.php)
   
  
• 

  Information and communications technology

  The information and communications technology (ICT) sector is an important factor in the German economy. Germany can point to excellent research results in the ICT field but there is evidence of unused potential in the conversion of these results into industrial applications and products. The ICT sector is particularly strongly characterised by SMEs, which account for 90% of IT companies in Germany. These are an important driver of innovation and an important interface for the transfer of research results from the scientific to the business community.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/430.php)
   
  
• 

  Production technology

  Production and production-related services account for more than two-thirds of Germany's total economic output. R&D and training and skills development also play a key role in ensuring that we remain competitive in the future. SMEs are especially prominent in this area as drivers of innovation and as the transfer interface between the scientific and business community for research results. Over recent years new and innovative companies have entered the scene both in established areas and in the conversion of new key technologies to operational practice. These need to be strengthened.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/435.php)
   
  
• 

  Resources and energy efficiency

  Demand for resources and energy on the one hand and climate change on the other are set to massively increase pressure on the economy, politics and society in just a few years. Environmentally efficient technologies are developing into a critical success factor. These technologies are often driven by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In many areas, German companies, and in particular SMEs, enjoy a competitive advantage internationally. SMEs are an important driver of innovation and an important interface for the transfer of research results from the scientific to the business community.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/439.php)
   
  
• 

  Optical technologies

  Employing over 100,000 people and with an annual turnover of EUR 16 billion, optical technologies are a vital technology area for the future. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an ever stronger role in this area of technology as drivers of innovation and as the transfer interface for research results between the scientific and business community. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is particularly keen to support those SMEs heavily engaged in research and development and to fund innovative research projects.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/604.php)
   
  
• 

  Nanotechnology

  Nanotechnology holds considerable potential for Germany, both technological and economic. There are already around 740 innovative companies involved in the development, application and marketing of nanotechnology products. Some 50,000 industrial jobs are connected with this, and the trend is upward. Experts on the field estimate that by 2015 the world-wide, cross-sector market will be worth EUR 1 trillion.
  more (URL: http://www.hightech-strategie.de/en/426.php)