Ministry of Economics supports “Digital Center of Excellence” in Magdeburg with 2.5 million euros

Press releases — February 08 2021

Magdeburg, Germany – 08 February 2021. AKKA’s Digital Center of Excellence (DCE) is an innovation accelerator and future partner of renowned manufacturers of the latest digital technologies (software programming, AI, ADAS, Big Data, embedded computing, machine learning). As one of the leading R&D service providers in the mobility sector, AKKA offers engineers the opportunity to develop their careers into Digital Engineering Consultants for future technologies at attractive working conditions with permanent employment.

The Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of Economics is funding the center of excellence with 2.5 million euros from investment subsidies, the so-called joint task “Improvement of the Regional Economic Structures” (GRW). The competence center in Magdeburg has been active since December 2019. Within three years, a total of 200 jobs are to be created in the areas of web development, software development and software testing, electrical engineers for automotive IT & embedded systems, and data science.

Today, the funding decision is handed over digitally with Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann.

‘’ Saxony-Anhalt is increasingly developing into a state of future technologies, as evidenced in the automotive sector by numerous settlements and expansion investments such as the Farasis battery factory in Bitterfeld-Wolfen or the Horiba Group's global competence center for fuel cells and batteries in Barleben. However, this is also accompanied by a growing demand for highly qualified specialists and research expertise. In this respect, the establishment of the R&D and technology service provider AKKA with its competence center in Magdeburg means a further strengthening for the automotive location in northern Saxony-Anhalt," explains Willingmann. "In the upcoming years, it will also be crucial to continue to drive forward the networking of business and science and to invest in both areas in a targeted manner so that more companies settle here and create new high-quality jobs in the field of future technologies. ‘’

Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann

Minister of Economic Affairs, Saxony-Anhalt

Tino Glatzel, Head of Digital Center of Excellence, and Anne Friedrich, Head of Corporate Affairs for AKKA in Germany, are responsible for the local set-up and the funding process, respectively, and are pleased that the AKKA Group’s future-oriented investments in the digital competence center in the set-up phase are being funded by the German government and the state of Saxony-Anhalt with 2.5 million euros. AKKA is thus making an important contribution to supporting the research and development landscape as part of the digital transformation process in Saxony-Anhalt. Currently, there is a cooperation agreement with Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg as well as partnerships with universities and institutes from the region. New training programs will start in April.

For Derrick Zechmair, CEO BU Germany, the political signal through the support of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt is important with regard to a sustainable commitment of AKKA in the region:

‘’ My personal thanks go to the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt for the support in this investment project. I am pleased that the construction of the DCE could be successfully realized as planned. With 43 new employees, we have even exceeded our plans. Here I would like to thank in particular the highly motivated team on site, which has driven forward the build-up in a very professional manner. The DCE is our future pool for urgently needed local experts. Be it in the areas of web development, software development or automotive IT & embedded systems: We are ready for new partnerships in Saxony-Anhalt, in the future areas of mobility and gladly in other industries beyond. ‘’

Derrick Zechmair

CEO BU Germany

Feb 08 2021

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Ministry of Economics supports “Digital Center of Excellence” in Magdeburg with 2.5 million euros

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