InnoBB 2035

Berlin, July 16, 2026 – The Berlin Senate and the Brandenburg state government today adopted the new Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region Innovation Strategy 2035 (InnoBB 2035).  The strategy builds on the two states’ long-standing cooperation on innovation policy, which began in 2011, while adapting their joint approach to emerging challenges and opportunities.  Its goal is to strengthen the region as a center of innovation, accelerate the transformation of its economy and actively shape its future.

Innovation for a Strong and Future-Ready Region

With the new strategy, Berlin and Brandenburg are focusing on solutions that will sustainably strengthen the region’s competitiveness and resilience.  Developed in close consultation with regional stakeholders from business, academia and government, the strategy takes a cross-cutting, challenge-driven approach. It brings together expertise and resources to address key priorities including digital transformation, climate action and resource efficiency, demographic change, social inclusion and security.

Five Priority Areas Driving Innovation

The strategy identifies five priority areas that reflect the capital region’s economic dynamism and scientific excellence while building on its distinctive strengths and potential:

• Innovative Mobility
• Digital Technologies and Creative Tech
• Health and Inclusion
• Smart Energy Systems
• Innovative, Sustainable Production and Materials

Four key success factors will guide efforts to strengthen the innovation ecosystems within these priority areas:

• Knowledge and technology transfer
• Corporate innovation culture and entrepreneurship
• Lifelong learning and new ways of working
• Innovation-friendly framework conditions

Cross-border collaboration between innovation stakeholders is essential to ensure that innovations in these priority areas not only emerge but also move successfully from research into real-world application and commercial scale.

The close partnership between Berlin and Brandenburg is reflected in numerous collaborative initiatives across the capital region’s innovation ecosystem.

One example is the European flagship project APECS Pilot Line (Advanced Packaging and Heterogeneous Integration for Electronic Components and Systems), which brings together leading regional research institutions to develop next-generation manufacturing technologies and processes for the microelectronics industry.  The project strengthens Europe's technological capabilities and strategic resilience in this critical field.  Coordinated by the Fraunhofer Microelectronics Research Fab in Berlin, the consortium includes European partners as well as several institutes of the Leibniz Association and the Fraunhofer Society based in Berlin and Brandenburg.

Another example is the Innovative Healthcare Labs,  a joint event series organized by the states of Berlin and Brandenburg that brings together stakeholders from outpatient and inpatient healthcare, health insurers and public health administration.

The Berlin-Brandenburg Battery Forum, now held for the sixth time, has become an important platform for networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration among industry, research and public-sector stakeholders across the capital region.  Initiatives such as these – and many others – will continue to play a vital role in strengthening the region's innovation ecosystem.

Aligned with European and National Innovation Priorities

As the capital region's Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), InnoBB 2035 provides the strategic framework for investments supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  It builds on the unique strengths and capabilities of the Berlin-Brandenburg innovation ecosystem while aligning closely with European and national innovation priorities.  This approach creates synergies between regional, national and European initiatives, helping to strengthen the capital region's long-term competitiveness and innovative capacity.  At the same time, it provides fresh momentum for economic and societal transformation – within the region, across Germany and throughout Europe.

Shaping the Future Together

Franziska Giffey, Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises of the State of Berlin:   “Berlin and Brandenburg are home to industries that are shaping the future through innovation.  That is one of the reasons why both states continue to outperform the national average economically.  We want to keep attracting the brightest minds and skilled talent to the capital region while strengthening our position in Europe's innovation landscape. That’s why we remain firmly committed to the close partnership between Berlin and Brandenburg. Together, we will continue to create the conditions that enable innovation to thrive and strengthen our competitiveness in securing European funding.”

Martina Klement, Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy, Climate Action and Europe of the State of Brandenburg:

“In the global race to develop the technologies of tomorrow, Berlin and Brandenburg can realize their full potential only by working together.  That’s why we’re investing in strong regional innovation ecosystems.  Small and medium-sized enterprises are at the heart of this effort.  They turn ideas into practical applications, bring innovation into the broader economy and create value where it matters most.  Our goal is clear:  innovation must go beyond urban boundaries. It should translate into technological leadership, high-quality jobs and new opportunities for growth across every part of Brandenburg.”

The full Innovation Strategy is available here.