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12.10.2017

At the speed of light

Festival of Lights

Every year in autumn when it starts getting dark early two light events, "Festival of Lights" and "Berlin leuchtet", illuminate many sights and landmarks in Berlin's city centre, among them Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, and the high-rise buildings at Potsdamer Platz.

Leipziger Platz and Potsdamer Platz at the Festival of Lights in Berlin © Pedelecs by Wikivoyage and Wikipedia

 

Berlin - city of photonics

Light inspires and shows the city in a new way. But light is also an important field of innovation for the Berlin economy - in particular, the light that we don't get to see because it is used inside computers as a medium for data transmission. Photonics is the most important enabler for the information technology and communications systems of the future. And research and development in Berlin are making outstanding achievements in this area.

This applies to data transfers over long distances. When you use the internet today, there is a 50 percent chance that your data will come into contact with photonic components from Berlin. It is also true of the increase in performance and cost efficiency of photonics enhanced data centers.

The expertise that was developed in the European flagship project PhoxTroT has recently been available in Berlin in a unique infrastructure from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. PhoxTroT created optimal synergies between different technology platforms streamlining their deployment towards Tb/s-scale, high-performance, low-cost, and low-energy optical interconnect components and sub-systems.

PhoxLab: Developing and testing new photonic components and solutions

As a neutral platform, the newly launched PhoxLab allows photonic components and integrated solutions for data centers to be tested and developed. PhoxLab offers solutions for various levels of hierarchy (on-chip, chip-to-chip, board-to-board, rack-to-rack), architectures, and protocols and is open to all kinds of collaboration.

Photonics for information technology is only one of many fields. With its outstanding research facilities, start-ups and many globally operating companies, the capital region is broadly positioned for the development and commercialisation of photonic technologies.

Martin Schell, Director of Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute, states: „The whole value chain from basic research until final product development is implemented within 50 kilometers reach. Such a density can be found worldwide only in the Silicon Valley or maybe Tokyo.“

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Why should you start a business in Berlin?

Welcome to Berlin – the vibrant city in the heart of Europe! Berlin attracts businesses and startups from every sector. Science, research, and creative industries also love Berlin. True innovators enjoy living and working in Berlin, as the conditions for setting up a company in the city are outstanding.

Infrastructure

Berlin offers the ideal infrastructure for setting up a company. The city’s new international airport makes Berlin quicker and easier to reach than ever from all over Europe and the world. Berlin’s public transport network is extensive and excellent. Office space is plentiful and rents are still lower than in most European capitals. And if you just want to test the waters, few cities have as many co-working spaces as Berlin.

>> Berlin – Heart of Europe

Innovative Industries

In Berlin, you can join networks and discover businesses in all the key innovative industries, including high tech, healthcare, life sciences, service economy, mobility, and logistics. There is also plenty of potential for rewarding and conducive partnerships with research facilities and other institutions and organisations in Berlin.

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Starting Out and Scaling Up

Feel the spirit of entrepreneurship in Berlin! Berlin startups such as Zalando, DaWanda, and ImmobilienScout24 are major influencers in the German market, and venture builders like Rocket Internet and Project A are also located in Berlin. Accelerators and incubators exist at every level and for almost any sector.

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Research & Science

Berlin is the capital for researchers and scientists in Europe. You’ll find research on the hottest topics in fields like bio technology, medicine, communication technology, photonics, mobility and transport, and more, carried out by top-level experts at universities and institutions of world renown.

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Living in Berlin

Finally, the large pool of highly skilled specialists from all over the world is a key reason to locate a company in Berlin. Thanks to the relatively low cost of living and vibrant cultural scenes, Berlin attracts many highly talented people – which directly benefits businesses in the city.

>> Life in Berlin

A growing German economy – good for entrepreneurs and investors

GDP growth is high and unemployment is low. A large market with consumers who like to spend. It's a great time for investments and market entry in Germany. Reason-Why.Berlin offers useful information on the German economy and various aspects of building business in Berlin.