Potsdam/Potsdam-Mittelmark (PPM) is a dynamic and attractive location for the healthcare industry. The region has a high concentration of excellent research institutions, outstanding educational opportunities in the university and business environments, internationally successful and dynamic companies as well as a clinic landscape with a differentiated range of services, making the region a centre of competence, synergies and cooperation.
With its technology parks and networks of biotechnology, digital health and medical technology, the region is an attractive destination for companies to relocate. As part of the Health Capital Berlin-Brandenburg cluster, PPM is also part of one of the world‘s leading health regions - the ideal location for all on the lookout for MORE FUTURE.
The healthcare industry is a growth market that will become increasingly important in the future. The Potsdam/ Potsdam-Mittelmark region not only offers optimal framework conditions and industry-oriented business sites, it also provides targeted support for companies and start-ups with a wide range of promotional measures. This covers, for instance, start-up projects, promotion of recruitment, investments and operating resources, implementation of research and development measures as well as internationalisation projects. Funding conditions in the form of subsidies are also excellent by national standards. In short: Potsdam / Potsdam-Mittelmark is the ideal location for your investments in health and life science.
On an area of more than 60 hectares, the Potsdam Science Park offers office and laboratory space as well as unbuilt areas, where companies and founders from the fields of life sciences, biotechnology, physics, optics, photonics and material sciences can settle down.
The companies work side by side with top level research institutes and bring the latest research results directly into application.
The SEE:LAB is one of three technology and founder labs run by TGZ PM GmbH in Potsdam-Mittelmark: the TGZ PM in Teltow, the GO:IN in Potsdam and since September 2022 the SEE:LAB in Teltow-Seehof. George Geveke is the CEO of TGZ PM.
Mr. Geveke, why is the SEE:LAB particularly interesting for startups?
The SEE:LAB is one of the few properties on the market in which start-ups and small and medium-sized companies can rent small-scale, multi-use laboratories and office spaces. TGZ PM is a district agency of Potsdam-Mittelmark and our mission is to support our tenants in building up their business, e.g. by networking them with other important business partners or institutions.
Where do you see the "SEE:LAB" in 2030?
By 2030, SEE:LAB will have produced the first generation of companies to leave the center and settle in the Potsdam-Mittelmark region. In this way, the competence center will act as a catalyst for new companies in the fields of biomaterials, health technology and soft robotics.
It is planned that the companies in the SEE:LAB and the adjacent Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon will work closely together. Are there already any concrete project ideas?
The cooperation with the Research Institute for Active Polymers of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, which is located in the direct vicinity of the SEE:LAB, is excellent. The spatial proximity allows for interesting synergy effects: We expect the development of young, technology-oriented companies, especially in the fields of biomaterials, biochemistry, chemistry, materials engineering and physical engineering.
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We are still close to the Charité, where we conduct a large part of our clinical studies. But the funding opportunities were much more attractive in Potsdam. We also benefit here at the Potsdam Science Park from the proximity to other start-ups and science. We see very good opportunities for cooperation here.
The fact that we work side by side with ThinkSono here in the Potsdam Science Park, who also develop technologies at the interface of ultrasound and AI, is something special. Compared to other countries, ultrasound is underrepresented in German science. It is therefore all the more gratifying that the exchange with ThinkSono is made easier for us simply by the physical proximity. Even if our technologies are very different, we still speak the same language.
I have worked intensively with the Max Planck Institute (MPI) in the past, and one of our employees also did his doctorate at the MPI. I also see potential for further cooperation in the future. With regard to the implementation of scientific work and the recruitment of excellent young scientists, we benefit from the proximity to the University of Potsdam, the MPI and the other top research institutions in the region.
Two days before Christmas 2021, the ILB accepted the ProFIT program. That was definitely one of the best moments of the last year! The funding means that we can now really take off and will soon be able to launch the first generation of devices on the market. We also received funding as part of the “Foundation innovative” program to examine the effects of introducing PoroUS technologies in Germany and Great Britain as part of a health technology assessment.
It was really a very positive experience. The contact was warm and we felt very well looked after when looking for a specific location. We had very productive talks with Ms. Bormann from Potsdam City Hall and she and her team quickly put us in touch with the right people to talk to about the process and the specific to-dos involved in settling and funding.