The High-Tech Forum has presented its guidelines for a sustainable Germany to Federal Research Minister Johanna Wanka. In its final papers on the implementation and further development of the existing High-Tech Strategy, the advisory body primarily recommends the Federal Government's continuation of the cross-departmental innovation strategy. Support for start-ups is clearly part of this.
Germany is one of the most innovative countries in the world. To continue to benefit from trends such as digitalization and create prosperity and quality of life, research and innovation in Germany must be further strengthened. The High-Tech Forum therefore calls for the consistent further development of the cross-departmental innovation strategy. Following the example of the High-Tech Forum, this should integrate the perspectives of science, business, and other societal stakeholders. The High-Tech Forum recommends further developing the future innovation strategy along five dimensions of action:
- The development of an open innovation culture
- Strengthening innovation networks
- Improving the framework conditions
- Orientation towards the goal of sustainable development
- The promotion of future technologies
High-tech Forum sees start-up support as part of innovation policy
Andreas Barner, Co-Chair of the High-Tech Forum and President of the Stifterverband emphasizes:
"Especially at a time when international cooperation and social cohesion as a whole are facing challenges, it is important to strengthen cooperation within the innovation system in Germany and with its international partners. An innovation policy that promotes appropriate network maturity among all participants must therefore be broadly based. It ranges from basic research to start-up support and strengthens education as a basis for responsible, innovative action."
Reimund Neugebauer, Co-Chair of the High-Tech Forum and President of the Fraunhofer Society, explains:
"The German innovation system has significantly more potential than is currently being realized. New approaches to both solving system-relevant challenges and promoting disruptive innovations are now crucial to strengthening Germany's competitiveness. Furthermore, a transfer infrastructure is needed in which universities, companies, and non-university research collaborate more effectively."
To increase innovative power, science, business and politics should develop a broad understanding of innovation that takes into account technological innovations, social innovations and their interplay.
The committee also recommends investing 3.5 percent of gross domestic product in research and development by 2025. To achieve this goal, tax incentives for research should be established, evaluated, and their design dynamically adjusted if necessary. In this context, startups operating in the field of research can also hope for future funding.
