FutureSAX
FutureSAX is a project of the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport. It is aimed at founders, companies, scientists and investors. The project aims to promote creation and growth initiatives in Saxony, provide an impetus for innovation and bring together representatives from government, academia, research and industry. In addition, it helps investors looking for new investment projects in Saxony.
The aim of futureSAX is to drive growth for existing businesses and to help the founders the market establishment. For this purpose, various competitions, information sessions, innovation forums, workshops and investor road shows are organized.
Since the summer of 2013, the publishing house Modern economic GmbH (a subsidiary of PwC Group) responsible for the implementation of the futureSAX project by the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport.
Background and Development
The Free State of Saxony has a long business tradition - from silver mining in the Middle Ages to the semiconductor technology in the present. Currently Saxony is one of the top 20 innovation sites in Europe. The Free State has set itself the goal, play a leading role in the TOP 10 of Europe's most innovative and economically strongest regions.
For this reason, the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport in 1999 launched the Business Plan Competition futureSAX for the IT industry. In 2002 the program was extended to all sectors of the economy. As a knowledge and communication platform futureSAX initially pursued to support the goal of start-ups and young companies in the knowledge-based and technology-oriented area.
Since mid-2013 futureSAX company looks not only at the establishment, but to grow. For this purpose, inter alia, various innovation forums, investor roadshows, events for knowledge transfer between science and industry and an innovation competition to be organized.
Among the activities of futureSAX include the following:
Innovation Prize of the Free State of Saxony
On every two -yearly competition for the Saxon State Prize, companies and crafts businesses who are resident in the Free State and employ up to 500 employees to participate. The award is presented groundbreaking ideas that have been found in products, services, processes or organizational innovations precipitation. The Innovation Prize of the Free State of Saxony is endowed with 50,000 euros, in addition, a special award of the Saxon Chambers of Crafts in the amount of 5,000 euros has been awarded in the competition.
FutureSAX idea contest
The aim of the futureSAX ideas competition is to promote innovative and growth-oriented start-up projects in Saxony and cooperatively develop initial ideas into viable business concepts. The competition is aimed at students, researchers, employees, self -employed or an inventor. We are looking for the best business ideas and start-up concepts that are evaluated by an expert jury and awarded annually to the Saxon Innovation Summit. Total prize money of 30,000 euros are awarded.
Saxon Innovation Summit
The Saxon Innovation Summit is held annually. It is aimed at representatives from politics, business, academia, associations, business and start-up initiatives. In addition to lectures, tours and a panel discussion of the Innovation Summit serves as a platform to share experiences and knowledge. As part of the Saxon Innovation Summit will be awarded among others the Innovation Award of the State of Saxony.
Innovation Forums
To new innovation approaches and trends in the various sectors of the economy, it goes into the semi-annual round of innovation forums. They serve as information and communication platform. The aim of the Innovation Forum is to bring together representatives from industry, academia, research and policy in order to develop new, innovative ideas, share experiences and promote appropriate cooperation in Saxony.