Today, Chemnitz is once again a competitive centre of technology. In terms of the number of people working in research and development, it is one of the leading cities in Germany by far.

The city’s patent density is well above the national average, thanks in part to the 50 research and development institutions based in the city and its excellent higher education landscape. Chemnitz University of Technology and institutions such as the Fraunhofer Institutes for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU) and for Electronic Nano Systems (ENAS), the Saxon Textile Research Institute and the Center for Microtechnologies ensure that there will always be demand for highly skilled employees and managers, and provide a steady supply of fresh, competitive ideas for businesses in Chemnitz.

The Chemnitz Technology Centre (TCC) offers 12,500 square metres of rentable commercial space at its three locations on Bernsdorfer Straße, Annaberger Straße and in the Start Up building.

The Start Up building opened in June 2009 as a new location for young, technology-oriented companies. Right in the middle of the Smart Systems Campus and thus in close proximity to Chemnitz University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Institutes and several growth-oriented companies in the microsystems technology industry, the start-ups in this building benefit from an excellent environment for their entry into the market.

Chemnitz and the surrounding Erzgebirge form the most start-up-friendly region in eastern Germany (2007 start-up ranking by the Initiative New Social Market Economy). In surveys on the friendliness of the local government towards start-ups and entrepreneurs, Chemnitz consistently ranks among the best.