Research environment

36 institutions of higher education have R&D programs in photonics and microsystems technologies. Because important research institutes are present, the region has become a German center for photonics. These sites supply the region’s companies with necessary know-how.

These experts include (amongst others):

• Technical University of Berlin (TU)
• Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration
• Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute
• Ferdinand-Braun-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH)

The Zentrum für Nanophotonik is located at the TU Berlin, and is home to innovative photonic-electronic element research at the nano structure-level. 
 

Close cooperation between science and industry:

• the Institute for Nanometer Optics and Technology at the Helmholtz Centre
• the University of Potsdam with its Center for Innovative Expertise, innoFSPEC
• the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short-Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)

University and research landscape

• The highest concentration of research institutions and activities in Germany
• High investment in research and development
• Support for spin-offs from academic institutions
• Targeted support for start-ups
• Germany's largest start-up competition "Businessplan-Wettbewerb Berlin-Brandenburg"

Educational Institutions in the Region

• Technical University of Berlin
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Beuth Hochschule für Technik
• Freie Universität Berlin
• HTW University of Applied Sciences
• University of Potsdam
• Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
• Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
• Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences