Innovation meets investment
The Saxon Investors' Day 2026 - The deep dive into Saxony's innovation landscape on the MS "Augustus the Strong" on the banks of the Elbe in Dresden.
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Exclusive insight into the Saxon innovation landscape and its growth companies on the MS "August the Strong"
Using selected best-practice examples, you will learn why Saxony is an attractive innovation location for investments in growth companies, why the Saxon entrepreneurial spirit offers the prospect of promising multiples and why you as an investor should consider Saxony as a business location for growth plans of established companies.
Program & Highlights
- 3:30 PMBoarding & Welcome
- 4:00 PMDeparture from the banks of the Elbe
- 5:00 PMWelcome
- 5:10 PM
On the Path to Growth: Saxony as an Investment Location in the Heart of Europe
What makes Saxony an attractive location for investment in growth companies, from both internal and external perspectives? This Deep Talk examines the strengths that the Free State in the heart of Europe brings to the table, how current initiatives related to growth capital and the Capital Markets Union are working, and what role SMEs play in this context compared to the rest of Germany.
Speakers
- 5:35 PMIntroductions at the tables with appetizers
- 6:00 PM
Capital Meets Expertise: How an Investment Can Lead to Genuine Growth Alliances
This panel highlights the growth journey of Saxon companies alongside the corresponding investor perspective.
Speakers
- 6:25 PMMain Course
- 7:00 PM
Two Scale-ups, Two Paths to Growth
Sunfire and Staffbase represent two very different models of growth originating in Saxony: one is DeepTech, hardware-intensive, and IP-driven; the other is software, platform-based, and digitally scalable. The talk highlights the commonalities that unite both companies despite their differences and why their development sends a strong signal of international growth momentum from Eastern Germany.
Speakers
- 7:25 PMDessert
- 7:45 PM
Saxony’s SMEs: Where Entrepreneurial Tradition Meets the Future
This panel discussion focuses on companies that often operate more quietly but make a significant contribution to Saxony’s innovative and economic strength . The focus is on those “hidden champions” who, through technical excellence, entrepreneurial clarity, and long-term thinking, shape growth and thus have an impact far beyond the region.
Speakers
- 8:00 PMJoint closing & conclusion of the evening on the sun deck
- 9:00 PMArrival at Terrassenufer
Speakers and table captains
Opinions on the Saxon Investors' Day
"International global players as well as innovative start-ups are consciously choosing Saxony as an important location for future technologies. Saxony's innovation ecosystem offers the best conditions for strong growth."
Dr. Anna Christmann, Member of the German Bundestag, Federal Government Commissioner for Digital Affairs & Start-ups
"The Saxon economy is robust in the face of the current challenges and is tackling the upcoming transformation with determination. Saxony is a good place to invest in the future. Decisive steps are currently being taken here that will trigger new growth, such as investments in the microchip industry, the development of a hydrogen infrastructure or the establishment of new major research institutes. In my view, there are therefore good reasons for investors to take a closer look at Saxony as an up-and-coming location for start-ups and innovation."
Martin Dulig, Saxon State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport 2014 - 2024
I'm at a table that is a colorful mix with a lot of visitors who are not from Saxony, who are here for the first time and are only now understanding what kind of basis there is here.
Gesche Weger, CEO and Co-Founder Packwise
There is an exceptional density of research institutions here and in various clusters. These range from microelectronics, to automotive, to materials, to lightweight construction, to the circular economy and so on. And these clusters are always interesting for investors because they can focus on specific sectors.
Dr. Isabelle Canu, Partner Green European Tech Fund
"I am very enthusiastic about the quality of the discussions. And what I learned today and I think this is clearly why we should have Saxony on our radar: That Saxony is an epicenter of technology."
Britta Lindhorst, Managing Director and Head of European Investments HQ Capital
Your contact at futureSAX
Claudia Landrock
Project Manager
Capital Transfer & Investors
Connecting people - that's what Claudia Landrock is passionate about. Before the native of Zwickau completed her bachelor's degree in economics at the TU Dresden, she gained one year of experience abroad as an au pair in Australia and France. An internship of several months in the USA was followed by her master's degree in business administration at the University of Regensburg. Subsequently, she supported and accompanied technology-oriented start-ups and digital start-ups in the Innovation and Start-up Center in Regensburg from the initial idea to the financing round and helped to further develop the regional start-up ecosystem.
Her fascination with innovation and start-ups is also rooted in her student involvement with "enactus Regensburg". She still supports young start-up projects on a voluntary basis as a mentor at StartUP Teens and also campaigns for better conditions for start-ups at federal level as chair of the Start-up Promotion Working Group at a digital policy association.