Mission

With our work, we shape Thuringia's innovation ecosystem and are a driving force for a strong, vibrant Free State.

Vision

Thuringia as a location for innovation

Thuringia is a state of visions, innovations and economic power. A network of competitive companies, high-tech start-ups, future-oriented investors, excellent research institutions and universities with highly qualified talents shapes the image of the Free State, which not only thinks about the future, but makes it. This is where high-tech and hands-on mentality traditionally meet.

With courage, a willingness to take risks and a willingness to experiment, Thuringia will become an even more successful innovation location in the middle of Germany that is leading the way – with a resilient, internationally networked, competitive and dynamic innovation community.

Mission

Innovation needs impetus

With an agile network of science, business, politics, education and civil society, innovations are made possible in and for the whole of Thuringia.

We see innovation as a driver of technological, economic and social transformation.

Our way of working

Innovation is a joint effort

We connect the Thuringian innovation ecosystem and unfold our full impact through the diversity, competence and commitment of all network partners in the innovation centres, hubs and rural innovation regions. We empower people who set out, who dare to try new things and who create innovations.

We are a lively place for cooperation, collaboration and co-creation – we live this spirit not only at the foundation’s location in Erfurt, but also beyond.

This is what we stand for

The foundation stands for democracy, sustainability, diversity, tolerance, cosmopolitanism and exchange. We are committed to these values and align our actions with them.

This includes, in particular, the recognition of the “Principles of Good Foundation Practice” of the founders and foundations united in the Association of German Foundations. We live and work in a cosmopolitan Thuringia and support the initiative of the same name. Since 2019, we have been part of the nationwide diversity network, which is committed to the appreciation and promotion of diversity, by signing the Diversity Charter .

Since June 2020, the foundation has been part of the Thuringia Sustainability Agreement (NAT). Together with Thuringia’s largest network for sustainable business, we want to continue to actively shape Thuringia as a business location under the aspect of sustainable development.

Our values

Innovation needs good framework conditions. The most fundamental condition is democracy and the academic freedom that goes with it. After all, innovative ideas and solutions can only be developed cooperatively by using the diversity of perspectives and expertise.

Groundbreaking solutions require people with diverse talents, careers, and life stories. Diversity is one of the best competitive factors for innovation.

The development of new things depends on an open climate of innovation, a tolerant and creative environment and the courage to break new ground.

Through diverse talents from Thuringia and all over the world, ideas become real solutions with added value.

Through the exchange of different perspectives, trust and transparency, synergies are exploited and innovations are driven forward in a targeted manner. This creates resilient partnerships beyond Thuringia.

Our resources are invested consciously, sustainably and with a view to the future. This is a structural condition for sustainable value creation and sustainable change in the entire ecosystem.