Harvard and MIT in Thuringia: Ideas and Networks

Date

19. August 2025

Location

Thuringia

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What remains when 40 young talents from Harvard and MIT visit Thuringia? More than just the impression of a short trip – it was the beginning of many conversations, contacts and ideas that have an impact beyond the moment. On 18. and August 19, 2025, Thuringia became a meeting place for excellence and entrepreneurial spirit: The Harvard/MIT Germany Trek made a stop in the state and impressively showed how much power there is in international exchange.

Day 1: Innovative exchange at Kontor Erfurt

The kick-off at the Kontor Erfurt already made it clear what this visit was all about: exchange at eye level. At the networking evening “Innovation starts together”, the US delegation met a diverse innovation scene from Thuringian startups, companies, science and politics. Discussions about technology cooperation, start-up culture and international perspectives characterized the evening – accompanied by genuine curiosity and openness on both sides. Thuringia’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Colette Boos-John, opened the evening and exchanged views with the delegation on transatlantic knowledge transfer and technological cooperation.

Mark Scholze from the PETKUS Group, Martha Wenzel from the Thuringian startup E-TERRY, Jörg Reinhold from IDloop and the Mehnert Lab gave exciting insights into the innovation landscape in Thuringia.

»“The visit demonstrated that Thuringia is recognized as an innovation hub with international visibility. The direct dialogue with talented students from Harvard and MIT was enriching for both sides—and an important step toward expanding transatlantic cooperation.”«

Christiane Kilian, Board Member

What remains

The Harvard/MIT Germany Trek in Thuringia was an intensive, lively exchange with real added value for all sides. Young talents from the USA met a region that impressed not only with technological know-how, but also with hospitality, a willingness to engage in dialogue and a spirit for the future.

Christiane Kilian, Executive Director of the Thuringia Foundation for Technology, Innovation, and Research, offers a positive assessment: “The visit demonstrated that Thuringia is recognized as an innovation hub with international visibility. The direct dialogue with talented students from Harvard and MIT was enriching for both sides—and an important step toward expanding transatlantic cooperation.”

We would like to thank all participants, contributors and partners – and look forward to the next transatlantic chapters.