Post by Jobst Schumacher

What began as a bold vision is becoming reality: Last week we launched the NLND innovation campus after three years of intense work. For me personally, it’s a huge milestone to witness how PHILIP MORRIS GMBH (PMG) is transforming its former largest cigarette factory in Europe into an Industry 4.0 innovation ecosystem - where startups and academia will collaborate with industry and SMEs. On that day, leaders from industry, academia, capital, politics, and media came together for an exclusive first look at 150,000 m² of innovation space. We also used this opportunity to proudly announce our two cornerstone partner Plug and Play Tech Center – connecting leading industrial players with top startups to fast-track pilots and UNITE – the startup factory for scientific startups. I’m so excited to build NLND with you together.   My special thanks go to Veronika Flora Rost and Torsten Albig for their trust and support, and to my trusted partner and co-lead Martin Eyerer and Felix Richter. Further I want to thank our new partner Dr. Philipp Gneiting, Laura Möller, Christoph Krüger, Thomas Heilmann for joining us on this exciting journey.   Shoutout to Graeme du Plessis, Charlotte Hook, and to the Green City Development Team: Your outstanding work truly makes the difference.   #NLND #OpenInnovation #VentureClienting #IndustrialTransformation