The IHK and the state support companies that want to get started in the region.
Baden-Württemberg is promoting new, future-oriented companies as an investment location, has launched a settlement strategy specifically for this purpose and commissioned the Baden-Württemberg State Agency (BW_i) as a one-stop agency. She now also looks after companies that are already in the state and want to grow in Baden-Württemberg. The IHK Heilbronn-Franken has been a pilot partner since October 2024.
The so-called existing company support is part of the new core business of the state agency BW_i. While BW_i was previously primarily concerned with making Baden-Württemberg attractive as an investment location to innovative foreign companies, companies that are already established should now also benefit from BW_i’s service and network.
The BW_i is therefore the guide and central contact for the state’s service offerings, for example when it comes to the search for space and skilled workers or cooperation with scientific institutions. In addition, she opens doors to the country’s ministries.
When implementing this, BW_i relies on a broad network of regional partners, including the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and economic development agencies. In the meantime, seven pilot regions in Baden-Württemberg, namely Rhine-Neckar, Stuttgart region, Northern Black Forest, Southern Upper Rhine, Heilbronn-Franconia, East-Württemberg and Ulm, have been won over to develop the new offer.
The IHK Heilbronn-Franken is participating as a cooperation partner of BW_i and will develop a concept for supporting existing companies together with BW_i. IHK managing director Elke Döring and the previous BW_i managing director Dr. Christian Herzog signed. A BW_i employee will be supporting the Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Industry and Commerce on site from mid-October.
For Elke Döring, BW_i’s new service is an important contribution to securing the location: “The region has a lot to offer innovative and future-oriented companies. Bringing this to companies and supporting them in their further development quickly and unbureaucratically is a crucial factor so that companies in the region can grow and exploit their potential.”
Based on the provided web search results, Baden-Württemberg, a region in Germany, has been actively promoting itself as a prime investment location for new and future-oriented companies. The region’s efforts to support entrepreneurs and businesses can be seen through various initiatives and agencies.
One of the key takeaways from the search results is that the region boasts a thriving startup ecosystem, with a notable presence of EdTech startups and companies. According to a report by Edutech Coffee, there are at least 9 top EdTech startups and companies in Baden-Württemberg, including cabuu, Studybees, and Festo Didactic [[1]]. This highlights the region’s focus on innovation and technology, particularly in the education sector.
Furthermore, the region’s startup ecosystem is diverse and widespread, with different industry focuses across various regional ecosystems. As stated by Startup LÄND, Baden-Württemberg offers a total of twelve regional start-up ecosystems, indicating a robust support system for new businesses and entrepreneurs [[2]].
Stuttgart, in particular, has emerged as a significant startup hub within the region. According to Seedtable, there are 106 startups in Stuttgart, which have collectively secured $1.2 billion in funding, with an average funding per startup standing at $11.7 million [[3]]. This underscores the region’s ability to attract investment and support startup growth.
In light of the news article mentioning that the IHK and the state support companies that want to get started in the region, it is evident that these efforts are indeed bearing fruit. By promoting new, future-oriented companies as an investment location and providing a one-stop agency like the Baden-Württemberg State Agency (BW_i), the region is demonstrating its commitment to fostering a supportive business environment.
the analysis of the web search results suggests that Baden-Württemberg has created a favorable ecosystem for startups and entrepreneurs, with a focus on innovation, technology, and education. The region’s support for new businesses and its ability to attract investment make it an attractive location for companies looking to establish themselves and grow in the European market.