InnoNation
InnoNation – Making Germany an Innovation Champion
Innovation is not a matter of choice, but a matter of survival. The ability to innovate is the most important driver of growth, employment, and social prosperity. Because we can hardly rely on our own natural resources and do not want to rely on low labor costs, innovation remains our most important competitive advantage. If we can successfully bring innovative products to the global market, this is a strong differentiator from others. Countries that fail to create an environment conducive to innovative research and new business models lose their international significance. The innovative strength of our economy thus takes on additional significance in the systemic competition with autocracies: innovations protect our freedom.
Through the “InnoNation” project, the BDI is committed to a sustainable and innovative Germany. Although Germany remains one of the world’s most innovative economies, its innovation momentum is slowing. Companies’ innovative capacity can only grow if the legal and political framework is right. This means that forward-looking research and innovation policies must support companies’ activities. Our goal is to make Germany an “InnoNation”: with a government that is open to and supportive of innovation, and a society that is eager for new ideas.
Thinking About Innovation Holistically
Germany should remain a successful and attractive business location in the future. But how can we better foster innovation potential in Germany? The topic of key technologies plays a prominent role here—as the foundation for economic and societal transformation processes. Our goal is to conduct early-stage screening of future technological developments and innovations for their industrial relevance. What are the key technologies of tomorrow? Which foundational technologies enable key technologies? What pre-regulatory processes are necessary to enable technologies at an early stage?
“We all depend on innovation. It’s time we started living for innovation, too!”
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Kampmann, owner of &alwaysahead
Seizing the Opportunities of Digitalization
As heavy users of public administration, businesses depend on government agencies to operate effectively and efficiently. Today, however, administrative procedures are often lengthy, cumbersome, and rarely designed with users in mind. Policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels must therefore ensure that the paper-based era in public administration comes to an end and that the opportunities offered by digitization are finally harnessed. Only with a public administration that works innovatively and fosters innovation will Germany remain a successful and attractive business location in the future.
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Das InnoNation-Festival 2025: Pioniergeist wagen, Hürden abbauen Unter dem Motto „DeepTech – High impact“ veranstaltete der BDI am 25.11. das 3. InnoNation Festival. In acht DeepDives, fünf Diskussionsformaten und vier Keynotes von hochrangigen Vertreterinnen und Vertretern aus Politik, Industrie, Forschung und Gesellschaft wurde die Stärkung des Innovationsstandorts Deutschland diskutiert. Mehr als 450 Personen nahmen am Festival teil.
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Europa im Aufbruch: Das Wirtschaftsforum mit starkem Appell für mehr Innovationskraft Das Wirtschaftsforum der Hannover Messe 2025 stand ganz im Zeichen der wirtschaftlichen Erneuerung Europas. Führende Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus Politik, Industrie machten deutlich: Europa braucht dringend neuen Schwung, um seine Rolle als globaler Innovationsplayer zu behaupten.
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Mit Innovationen die steigenden Anforderungen an die Luftfahrt erfüllen Im Interview mit Nicole Dreyer-Langlet, Geschäftsführerin und R&T Deutschland Repräsentantin von Airbus SE nennt sie ihr persönliches Hot Topic für die nächsten 5 Jahre. Dafür ist es wichtig, dass wir ein flexibles, dynamisches Ökosystem schaffen, das Innovation zulässt, fördert und skalieren kann.
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Hydrogen instead of coal: Steel production goes green The transformation of basic industries plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change. German companies are meeting this challenge with the courage to invest and the willingness to go in completely new directions. One example is the technology shift in steel production.
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With solar power: parcel logistics on the water Solar energy is not only a sustainable form of power generation on house roofs and agricultural land. It also gives parcel logistics a boost, as an innovative pilot project in Berlin shows.
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Nur durch radikale Transformation und konsequente Innovation können wir unsere Wettbewerbsfähigkeit bewahren Im Interview erklärt Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Partner bei Roland Berger, was Innovation für Ihn persönlich und für die Gesellschaft bedeuten und was hinter dem Innovationsindikator für Deutschland steckt.
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Electrolysers: The heart of hydrogen production The success of the energy transition depends to a large extent on hydrogen technology. Because of its wide range of applications, many branches of industry are relying on this future-oriented element. To meet the great demand, high-performance electrolysers are indispensable. These will be built in Berlin in the future.
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Full speed ahead toward climate neutrality Alternative drive systems and fuels are crucial on the road to climate neutrality. In addition to the expansion of electromobility, synthetic fuels, so-called e-fuels, play a central role. German companies are pioneers in this field and are developing solutions for the mobility of tomorrow.
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On the way to climate-neutral cement production: closing carbon cycles Climate neutrality by 2050 - that is the goal of the European Union. Strategies for CO2 avoidance are one way of achieving this. However, residual emissions are unavoidable. Innovative ideas are needed to deal with them. German industry is focusing on new technologies: Carbon capture, storage and utilization is a promising approach - especially in basic industries.
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Battery recycling: Full power for e-mobility and energy transition Whether it's an e-car, e-bike or e-scooter, electromobility is booming. The number of battery-powered vehicles on German roads is increasing rapidly. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, German automakers increased production of e-cars by almost 86 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year. There was a similar increase in new registrations. As a result, the stock of e-cars has doubled within a year.
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Geistiges Eigentum – Motor für Innovation, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und gesellschaftlichen Wohlstand Der Schutz des geistigen Eigentums bildet die Grundlage für Innovationen. Unsere Wirtschaftskraft hängt zum großen Teil von innovativen Produkten ab. Patente sind ein Schlüsselfaktor für die globale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit deutscher Unternehmen.
