Würzburg.From start-ups to global companies, from universities to non-university research institutions – the information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) economic sectors are the big winners in digitization. In the past few months they have seen strong growth due to the Covid19 pandemic and continue to experience a boom. At the initiative of Region Mainfranken GmbH, more than 30 executives from business and research in the field of IT and AI recently came together virtually to develop ideas for stronger regional networking.
At the beginning of the network workshop, Åsa Petersson, Managing Director of Region Mainfranken GmbH, presented the background to the meeting. “The digitization leap over the past few months has been enormous – it has advanced our regional competencies in the field of IT and AI. What is missing is the visibility of the main Franconian key players in order to be able to tackle large projects together. “
Interactive format
With the support of Gerhard Hube, Professor of Innovation Management at the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, an interactive format was designed that enables participants to exchange ideas and collect ideas in a confidential atmosphere. Professor Hube emphasized: “Bundling and using the strengths of individual players and working together in a trusting manner – these are crucial factors in global competition.”
The participants agreed: By intensifying the cooperation, many synergy effects will arise and the regional radiance will increase. In particular, the higher visibility towards investors and urgently needed specialists, as well as finding suitable project partners, the joint development of business models and the regular exchange of know-how were named as advantages. Finally, the majority of the participants spoke out in favor of a continuation of the format.
Joint commitment counts
“For many years we have been trying to keep university graduates here and to bind them to the location. But many leave the region again after successfully completing their studies, ”said one participant at the event. Everyone present was certain: In order to retain or attract skilled workers, joint commitment counts.
Attract skilled workers
Region Mainfranken GmbH, for example, advertises the attractive living conditions and employers in the region via its portal “Mainfranken – As made for you”. She also takes part in virtual trade fairs as part of the specialist staff offensive, such as the ITCS Darmstadt, to draw young graduates’ attention to Mainfranken as a technology location. During the “career talk” as part of the “Wuerzburg Web Week” 2020, the Mainfranken Region Association also offers three regional employers from the IT sector the opportunity to present themselves to a broad audience.
As the carrier platform of the Regiopole Region Mainfranken and regional development company of the Main Franconian districts, the independent cities of Würzburg and Schweinfurt and the corresponding chambers of commerce, Region Mainfranken GmbH bundles the regional forces in politics, science and business to position Main Franconia in the national and international competition for locations.
Target-oriented location marketing aims to make Mainfranken visible to potential specialists, investors and interested parties.
In addition to the two independent cities of Würzburg and Schweinfurt, the shareholders of Region Mainfranken GmbH are the seven Main Franconian districts of Bad Kissingen, Haßberge, Kitzingen, Main-Spessart, Rhön-Grabfeld, Schweinfurt and Würzburg as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Würzburg-Schweinfurt and the Chamber of Crafts for Lower Franconia.
© Fränkische Nachrichten, Monday, November 2nd, 2020
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