Uni has discovered Eilenburg and ECW for itself

Eilenburg. There must be a fresh start: Gone are the times when more than 2,000 people were employed at the ECW location in downtown Eilenburg. With reunification, the decline of the traditional Eilenburg company, which had created a traditional brand with Decelith, began. The brand and production of the plastic continues today by Polyplast-Compound Werk (PCW). Even if there are now more than a dozen other new settlements, the 3,000-square-meter administrative building has remained unused since 2006.

The University of Leipzig discovers the city of Ellenburg

Now the building is once again the focus of a project that is not at all about the ensemble that characterizes the cityscape. We are talking about the “T! Raum” program of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, for which the University of Leipzig has been selected as one of the twelve leading institutions. And Eilenburg has already discovered this for itself – both as a location with good transport links and as an affordable alternative to Leipzig for its segregated students.

Heiko Leahy, business promoter at Eilenburg City Council, comments: “It’s just right. The federal government is interested in ensuring that innovations in universities and research institutions are transferred to the region more quickly, which is also expected to provide an impetus for positive structural change. To do this, the university must And start-ups, region and companies better communicate.

The long-awaited signal

How exactly does this work? Heiko Leahy: “These days we received the long-awaited signal that the joint application for T! Raum funding could be approved in this way.” Which is about 600,000 euros in total for the next three years. The city of Eilenburg will receive a share of €250,000. This way, they can pay the innovation manager for three years (with the option to extend for two to three years). The position will be announced in the next few days.

Eilenburg became a university branch

The City Innovation Manager should have his or her point of contact with one of the University at the nucleus of the co-working space on Rollenstraße 23. The start date should be 1 November if possible, but 1 January 2024 at the latest. Both parties must then in particular establish research-company contacts.

Innovation directors, Heiko Leihe really engages in rapture, they have a lot of freedom to break new ground. Only the goal is clear. Companies must know what they are looking for in a university, and good projects in a university must find their way into the economy. “Eilenburg will thus become a temporary branch of Leipzig University,” says Sven Lehmann, who brought the existing network from cooperation partner Eilenburg Tourismus- und Gewerbeverein, like this.

But what’s with T! Raum with ECW?

At university, as Sven Lehmann knows, there are no innovations that can only directly help companies. There are currently about 25 startups out there each year. It is becoming increasingly difficult for them to rent. “And he sees ECW as a ‘space of possibilities.’ It’s not just about offices.” In ECW we also have options for labs. Even small series production and prototypes are possible here.”

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In 2027, ECW has a new meaning

And when does ECW stand for Eilenburger Co-Workingspace? Heiko Leahy and Sven Lehmann have a simple answer: “2027”. “This is our goal,” says Heiko Leahy. “If all goes well,” he continues, “the startups and co-workers will occupy about 1,500 square meters and thus about 50 percent of the area.” The good news is that the building can also be renovated in sections. But it is also clear that the city cannot afford the total costs of eight million euros. But the joint mission of a program to improve regional economic structures is unlikely to fit anywhere better.

LVZ