structural development

Hello!

We're getting excited - and looking forward to the 1st Innovation Challenge Lausitz !

In the last blog entries we reported on the challenges - today we introduce you to the members of the jury who will evaluate the solutions to the challenges submitted.

We are particularly pleased about the participation of Jörg Huntemann , the head of department in the Saxon State Ministry for Regional Development . His tasks include negotiations with the federal government and the EU as well as coordinating the financing and implementation of municipal projects and state measures in the area of ​​structural development in the lignite mining areas. “Our lignite regions have offered good living and working conditions for generations. Together with the federal government, we are promoting Lusatia and Central Germany, finding sustainable and innovative solutions, making new value creation possible and strengthening the regions as an attractive home after the fossil fuels have been phased out," he explains.

Next Saturday he will be part of the Telux in Weißwasser and is looking forward to the Innovation Challenge and the future of Lausitz with hope: "I am particularly looking forward to this new and innovative format and to the exchange on innovation topics, trends and challenges. I'm already I am very excited to see which innovative solutions the 1st Innovation Challenge Lausitz will produce.”

Another member of the jury is Tim Berndt , Managing Director of the Economic Initiative Lausitz - WiL for short. The WiL is a regional action and network platform in Lusatia. Founded in 2009 by companies from Lusatia, companies, institutions, chambers and municipalities from Eisenhüttenstadt to Zittau in the WiL are involved across countries and sectors in order to strengthen Lusatia as a business location in the long term.

"More than ever, the structural change in our region requires innovative thinking and action - also 'out of the box'. The format supports exactly that and will show that good ideas don't have to be a coincidence and that 'good things' don't always take a long time must have'. I'm very excited about the solution approaches for the diverse and exciting challenges, which at the same time have a strong regional connection and practical background."

Jury member Theresa Hoffmann has not yet had any contact with the structural development in our region, but as a design thinking expert (researched at Stanford), mechanical engineer and venture developer, she is curious by nature and loves working with visionary people and them to provide success-oriented advice with their specialist knowledge from the tech and start-up sector. "In order to carry out a comprehensive structural change, a rethinking is required above all - I am impressed by the initiatives that the Lausitz region is launching as part of this transformation and decarbonization, among other things, and I am pleased that the citizens can be part of these initiatives - how we can experience it at the 1st Innovation Challenge Lausitz. I am very happy about that."

Her former colleague, Dr. Marc Roman Franke has such a varied career that he can best be described as a strategy, digital and technology consultant, but also as an expert in artificial intelligence, innovation marketing and scenario analysis. He is a big Görlitz fan and is really looking forward to all the exciting ideas that the Challenge participants will come up with.

Last but not least, we are looking forward to a successful company founder and games & tech freak: Kristian Metzger , CEO of Stratosphere Games and an internationally well-connected doer from Berlin-Mitte in the games and start-up sector. He is like Dr. Franke, Görlitz fan - and as a skier and dog lover, also a friend of the mountainous nature of the southern district.

In eight years he built up his company from zero to 65 employees from 22 nations - almost "only" with mobile games . "Thinking out of the box is invaluable in today's fast-paced world," he explains, who relies on innovation through specialization, diversity, cosmopolitanism and the curiosity of his employees. "But being able to take part in this challenge will certainly show me completely new approaches - I'm looking forward to being surprised by the people of Lausitz!".

If you are now interested in seeing the jury evaluate the solutions for the challenges that have been specifically developed using the most modern approaches to design thinking, then we look forward to seeing you next Saturday, April 29th . from 3:45 p.m. in the Telux in Weißwasser - the end is planned for approx. 5:15 p.m., and of course you have the chance to get to know our innovation team, the participants and the jury afterwards! And to make a note of the upcoming Innovation Challenge on the last weekend in October this year.

We look forward to you!

Best regards

Your Jasna