Networking innovation internationally
MINTmachtag – Discover, explore, be free!
The MINTmacht Days – this year at Vessra Monastery
Date
Business | Research | Unexpected
International Day
Location
Defense Barracks Erfurt
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How does internationalization succeed in an increasingly networked world – and what role does it play in the innovative strength of regional ecosystems?
The International Day 2026 was dedicated to these questions as part of the Investor Days Thuringia. With a diverse programme of impulses, best practices and workshops, it quickly became clear that internationalization has long been a central component of successful innovation strategies.
Best Practice
Right at the start of the event, the focus was on specific experiences from Thuringia. Companies and innovation players from the fields of textiles, smart production and electro-optics showed how international cooperation accelerates innovation and enables access to new markets. Their examples made it tangible what internationalization means in practice – and what opportunities arise from it.
These insights were supplemented by an overarching perspective: Charme Rykower gave an insight into the work of the Chamber of Foreign Trade and highlighted the challenges, but also the potential of international networking – especially for innovation-driven companies and agile ecosystems.
Internationalization requires cooperation
The discussion repeatedly focused on one key finding: successful internationalization requires more than just individual measures. It is based on resilient networks, long-term partnerships and the courage to break new ground.
How these paths can look in concrete terms was discussed in more detail in the subsequent workshop. The focus here was on strategies, specific support services and the question of why internationalization is particularly relevant for young companies and early development phases. The exchange showed that those who think internationally at an early stage create decisive competitive advantages.
The International Day thus became not only a platform for knowledge transfer, but also a meeting place. Representatives from business, research and innovation promotion got to talk, share experiences and make new contacts – an important basis for future cooperation.
Impulses that move.
Innovation thrives on new perspectives. Experience regular impulses, stories and developments around innovation in Thuringia.
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