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"Software Innovation for the Digital Enterprise" Software-Cluster wins Cluster Excellence Competition sponsored by the German government:
Europe's largest software cluster plans over €80 million for research

Published: 1/26/2010

  • Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research, names top five clusters
  • Ministry of Research will support the clusters with funds totaling €200 million over a period of five years
  • The "Software Innovation for the Digital Enterprise" Software-Cluster recognized as one of the top five clusters
  • Cluster plans over €80 million for research
  • The Cluster region that spans centers in Darmstadt, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, Saarbrücken and Walldorf is expanding its lead in Europe
  • Germany's software industry strengthened

Federal Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan announced the winners in the second round of the Excellence Cluster Competition on Tuesday. The five winners will receive funds totaling €200 million over a five-year period from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Europe's largest software cluster, Software Innovation for the Digital Enterprise, was among the winners. This cluster is considered the Silicon Valley of Europe, spanning centers located in Darmstadt, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, Saarbrücken and Walldorf. Six projects will drive progress in the cluster itself (management, networking, international presence, continuing education and training, utilization) as well as the methodologies and technologies for research and development of software solutions for digital enterprises. These projects alone will cost over €80 million. Further objectives include educating 5,000 skilled professionals in five years, launching 30 companies in the cluster's core area of expertise, and persuading leading foreign companies to establish a presence in the cluster region. Partners involved in Europe's largest software cluster aim to use the funds provided by the Federal Ministry of Research and Education to grow into a technology center of global importance. This decision by the German federal government will strengthen the country's software industry. Current studies predict 430,000 new jobs in the software industry by the year 2030. Software is already considered a key technology for improving value added and productivity.

"I'm very happy that we've won the excellence cluster competition from Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan”, said Karl-Heinz Streibich, CEO of Software AG. “It has always been our goal to make our Software-Cluster known worldwide by working with partners in business, science and government. I am certain that we can reach this goal with the funds provided by the federal government. Examples such as Silicon Valley and Bangalore have shown that leading international companies grow from clusters, particularly in the IT and software industry. The consolidation process in the software market is going full steam ahead. Clusters and alliances offer a solution to strengthening the European software industry. As such, the Software-Cluster is an essential part of a successful innovation policy for Germany”.

Read the full Press Release.