Key industries in Leipzig

Leipzig’s congress landscape is heavily influenced by the city’s main business and scientific sectors. Leipzig deliberately brings conferences to the city that are thematically relevant. The aim is to encourage dialogue in these fields.
With three clearly defined innovation clusters and four focus industries, Leipzig has positioned itself as an attractive destination for international congresses. Renowned experts act as ambassadors for the location and play a key role in successfully attracting events.

Life sciences Digital economy Green tech Automotive Logistics Media & Creative Industries Tourism

Life sciences innovation cluster

jobs

the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Professor Svante Pääbo, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig

of state-of-the-art laboratory and office space at the BioCity Campus Leipzig

Leipzig boasts a diverse range of top institutions, research facilities and businesses. Numerous institutes, clinics and businesses work together in strong networks to systematically advance research and development projects. The life sciences innovation cluster focuses on biotechnology, medical technology and digital healthcare.

The University of Leipzig, the University of Leipzig Medical Center, the Heart Center Leipzig and the Max Planck Institutes are just some of the key scientific institutions, clinics and businesses that shape this innovation cluster. The aim is to become one of the top three locations for life sciences in Germany.

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for science with Medical Forge laboratory in Bio City Leipzig – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for Life Science with Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

Trade fairs and congresses in the field of medicine also underline Leipzig’s importance as a centre for healthcare.

Other important forward-looking institutions in Leipzig:

BIO CITY LEIPZIG
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI)
Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG)
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig)

Find out more about the cluster Leipzig for LifeChangers

Digital economy innovation cluster

businesses shaping the industry

By then, Leipzig wants to become Germany’s leading digital economy location

is what Leipzig’s digital economy is aiming for

The digital economy innovation cluster represents one of the most important sectors in Leipzig. The city is a central location for the digital economy, where innovative software products are not only used, but also developed. From cloud computing, games and XR, artificial intelligence and IT security to industrial software – Leipzig is actively shaping digital change. Innovative players include Unite, Spreadshirt, SaxonQ and Appsfactory.

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig - View of the skyline with the illuminated Grimmaischen Steinweg at dusk — © Tom Thiele

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for digital science with a robot at Leipzig Trade Fair – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Tom Thiele

A vibrant start-up scene in Leipzig is setting new standards in gaming, e-commerce and data science. Networks such as Games & XR Mitteldeutschland, Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig and Cluster IT Mitteldeutschland promote dialogue and create synergies. Cooperation with other sectors such as green tech, life sciences, and the media and creative industries creates valuable synergies that make Leipzig even more competitive.

Green tech innovation cluster

jobs

By then, Leipzig wants to be an internationally recognised location for climate and resource-friendly technologies

The year by which Leipzig aims to be climate-neutral

The Leipzig region has excellent, world-class experience in the areas of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydrogen, as well as energy infrastructure in the form of electricity and gas grids, storage technologies and e-charging stations. These come together to form the green tech innovation cluster.

The range of businesses and research institutes based here includes renowned players such as Verbundnetz Gas AG (VNG) and the European Energy Exchange AG (EEX), Germany’s only exchange for trading in electricity, gas and CO2 certificates.

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig – Drone shot of the City High Rise at sunrise — © Philipp Kirschner

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for science with Bio City Leipzig – presented by the Leipzig Convention BureauMeetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for Green Tech with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Tom Schulze

In addition, there are institutions such as the German Biomass Research Centre and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), as well as a large number of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are at the forefront of future-oriented areas of environmentally relevant process engineering.

Together, these stakeholders are tackling the challenges of today’s energy transition and contributing their expertise to the development of sustainable solutions in close cooperation with business and science.

Automotive focus industry

jobs

businesses

billion euro turnover

Automotive stands for transformation and progress – from producing electric vehicles to autonomous driving. A high-tech manufacturing centre with Porsche and BMW plants, Leipzig is at the heart of the region. The rapid growth of the industry is benefiting many suppliers.
With plenty of jobs, an excellent infrastructure and close links between business and education, Leipzig is setting the standard for a future-proof and sustainable automotive and supplier industry.

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for economy with Porsche Experience Center – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Porsche Leipzig

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for economy with the drive-in cinema at the Porsche Experience Centre Leipzig – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Tom Thiele

More and more suppliers have set up shop in the vicinity of the two ever-expanding plants. Around 170 suppliers are now based in the Leipzig economic region.
Industry networks involving research institutions are playing an increasingly important role in supporting the sustainable development of research and development partnerships.

Logistics focus industry

jobs

cargo flights pass through Europe’s fourth-largest air freight hub every week

destinations worldwide connected by Leipzig as a logistics region

Leipzig offers the best conditions for logistics companies thanks to the combination of favourable logistics-related factors such as air freight, rail freight transport and motorways.
The advantages of this combination are utilised by the numerous logistics companies located here. These include DHL, Amazon, Beiersdorf, momox and Future Electronics, which use the location as a central distribution hub.

Arrival at Leipzig/Halle Airport - Air transport provider - Partner of the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for economy with Amazon logistics warehouse Leipzig – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

By 2035, the city aims to further develop the logistics focus industry and establish sustainable logistics with efficient fleets, low-emission propulsion systems and reduced specific land use. The aim is to strengthen Leipzig’s role as a hotspot for digital innovation in logistics. This is made possible by excellent links with the scientific community, which is driving innovative projects such as Tri5G.

Focus on media and creative industries

jobs

businesses

million items held by the German National Library in Leipzig

Leipzig is a traditional media centre with a history of combining publishing and printing technology to achieve global renown and a high international profile. Leipzig Book Fair and the “Leipzig liest” reading festival have long supported the activities of this key sector.
Following the technological upheavals of the last 20 years, many new media have emerged alongside the medium of the book. This has been embraced as a challenge by all stakeholders and integrated into modern study programmes at the various educational institutions, including the University of Leipzig, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig), Leipzig University of Telecommunications (HfTL) and the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig.

Technical desk for a conference in Leipzig – präsentiert vom Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Tom Thiele

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for creative industries with with an art exhibition at the Spinnerei – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

Leipzig is considered a creative stronghold and is one of the top locations for media and creative industries in central Germany. In today’s digital world, Leipzig’s media and creative industries also form a creative alliance with sectors such as art, technology and business. The city’s creative industries combine the six sub-sectors of design, film, music, advertising, architecture and digital media. These are reinforced by strong networks and collaborations.
By 2035, the city plans to strengthen this focus industry by establishing new open spaces, supporting start-ups and founders, and promoting intensive collaboration between culture and business.

Tourism focus industry

years as a trade fair and conference centre

million overnight stays in 2023

measures included in Leipzig’s tourism development plan

With 3.8 million overnight stays in 2023, Leipzig is one of the most popular destinations in Germany. Full of music, culture and history, the city boasts a vibrant subculture of clubs, concerts and creative events. Leipzig is famous for the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the St Thomas Boys’ Choir and as the place where Bach, Mendelssohn, Goethe, the Schumanns and Wagner once lived and worked. The city played a pivotal role in the Peaceful Revolution, and its Wilhelminian architecture and leafy streets are impressive. Art centres such as the Baumwollspinnerei and the Museum of Fine Arts also attract large numbers of visitors each year.

As a trade fair city, Leipzig offers a modern congress and conference centre with a wide range of congress, conference and event venues.

Supporting programme with a guided tour of the city at the Bach monument in front of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

Meetings and conferences in Leipzig, a hub for tourism with tourist information – presented by the Leipzig Convention Bureau — © Philipp Kirschner

Leipzig is set to become one of Germany’s top ten tourist destinations by 2035. To this end, the city actively promotes this focus industry and continually improves the quality of its services and tourist infrastructure.
Together with Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, Leipziger Messe GmbH and other partners, the city is working to implement its tourism development plan, which includes over 70 measures, including attracting business conferences.

Key industries in Leipzig

Life sciences innovation cluster

Digital economy innovation cluster

Green tech innovation cluster

Automotive focus industry

Logistics focus industry

Focus on media and creative industries

Tourism focus industry

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