Under the guiding theme “Co-creating Innovation and Change,” the event “JTC Meets the Mittelstand” took place on the evening of November 10, 2025, at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. The focus was on exchange, dialogue, and networking between research and industry in the context of structural transformation.
Saxony-Anhalt is undergoing profound economic, social, and regional changes. This raises a central question: How can this transformation be actively shaped, and what roles do research, networking, and innovation play in the process?
Answers and impulses were provided by the event organized by the Just Transition Center (JTC), which brought together around 50 representatives from business, politics, and academia — among them Sven Schulze, Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry of the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Jonathan Everts, Executive Board Member of the JTC. This was followed by welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Claudia Becker, Rector of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, and Sven Schulze.
Perspectives of the Mittelstand in Saxony-Anhalt
Under the title “Shaping Structural Change – Innovation and Networking as Keys to the Future of the Mittelstand in Saxony-Anhalt,” experts from politics, business, and research discussed for more than two hours the future prospects of the region’s Mittelstand (small and medium-sized enterprises).
Participants in the panel discussion included: Sven Schulze, Minister for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture, and Forestry of Saxony-Anhalt;
Prof. Dr. Thomas Brockmeier, Chief Executive Officer of the IHK Halle-Dessau; Michéle Tille, CEO of CYNiO GmbH (Bitterfeld); Sirko Scheffler, Managing Director of brain-SCC GmbH (Merseburg); Dr. Constanze Zwies, Team Leader of the JTC Innovation Team B4 “Designer Proteins as Bio-based Binders”; and Martin Häuer, Team Leader of the JTC Innovation Team C1 “Sustainability Standardisation.”
The discussion focused on strengthening the Mittelstand, improving collaboration between research and industry, and exploring ways to accelerate innovation processes in Saxony-Anhalt. The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ralf Wehrspohn, Executive Board Member of the JTC.
At the subsequent networking session, several JTC research teams provided insights into their projects. Many participants also took the opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange and informal discussions.
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