Driving Innovation
A Chat about Berlin-Brandenburg's Mobility Scene
Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg form one of Europe's most dynamic mobility hubs. Home to major automotive and rail manufacturers, a thriving aerospace sector, and innovative startups, this region is at the forefront of shaping the future of transportation. To learn more about what makes this area so attractive for mobility companies, we sat down with Christian Heinrich, the cluster manager for transport, mobility, and logistics. In the following interview, he shares insights into the region's key industries, collaborative ecosystem, and ambitious vision for the years ahead.
Christian, you're the cluster manager for transport, mobility, and logistics in Germany's capital region. What makes Berlin-Brandenburg so attractive for companies in this field?
It's all about our unique mix! Imagine having a buzzing metropolis, mid-sized cities, and peaceful countryside all within reach - it's like having a giant playground for testing almost any mobility concept.
Fun fact: Berlin-Brandenburg is about the size of Belgium!
What really makes it special is our diverse community - people from all walks of life bringing their dreams and ideas to the table. We've got everything from cutting-edge research labs to ambitious startups, family businesses, and global players. You'll find traditional car manufacturers working alongside satellite builders and AI companies. Plus, being in Berlin, Germany's capital, puts us right in the spotlight internationally.
Which mobility sectors are particularly strong in Berlin-Brandenburg?
The automotive and railway sectors are our real powerhouses, each employing over 20,000 people! We've got major players like BMW and Mercedes in automotive, and Alstom and Stadler building complete trains.
And we have long been a pioneer for electric mobility. Tesla's Gigafactory isn't just making us Europe's leading electric car region - they're revolutionizing the entire industry with their innovative approach to production and operations. This attracts tons of suppliers and creates a ripple effect across the industry.
Our aerospace sector is also substantial. With companies like Rolls-Royce and MTU in Brandenburg, plus an emerging drone and small satellite industry, we're seeing exciting growth. The Technical University Berlin provides the brainpower behind many innovations.
How do companies benefit from the close collaboration between Berlin and Brandenburg?
Our teamwork is really something special! Berlin Partner works hand-in-hand with Brandenburg's economic development agency. You know what makes it work so well? Two things: First, we understand that our clients don't care whether something comes from Berlin or Brandenburg - they just want results. Second, our regions perfectly complement each other. Think of Berlin as your bustling tech hub with world-class universities and urban lifestyle, while Brandenburg offers specialized regional centers, each with unique capabilities. Plus, Brandenburg is investing billions in innovative R&D as part of its transition away from coal mining. Together, we've got something for quite everyone!
What current trends do you see in the mobility sector, and how is the region positioned to handle them?
Mobility is getting both smarter and greener every day. We're seeing exciting new solutions that combine different technologies in creative ways. But here's the thing - great ideas need to be both economically viable and environmentally friendly to succeed. That's where we come in. We help connect the dots, bringing together the right partners to turn ideas into reality.
In Berlin, we're seeing more people ditching their cars for public transport and micro-mobility options like e-scooters. If we combine the innovation of micro-mobility startups with the mass-production expertise of our automotive industry, there could emerge a new generation of small vehicles that could sustainably transform urban transport. For me that would be a very exciting development.
Interestingly, while car ownership is dropping in Berlin, it's growing in Brandenburg. Meanwhile, the automotive industry is focusing on larger vehicles, partly because of battery technology. As an innovative automotive hub, we're not just observing these trends - we're helping shape them. We look at the whole picture, from research to recycling.
Through our ReTraNetz-BB network, we're helping automotive companies transform not just their products and processes, but their entire business models. And we also have a network called KombiH, which focuses on the merging battery industry and offers specific training programmes to build expertise.
The drone sector is also developing rapidly. Not so much for transporting people, but for delivery - there's a huge demand for things like night-time medical deliveries.
Can you share an exciting recent innovation or settlement project?
As an engineer, I'm still amazed by all the incredible ideas we see. One standout example is Neurospace and their moon rover project. It's really fascinating! This startup is sending their TACHELES CubeSat - about the size of a shoebox - on NASA's Artemis II mission! And they're developing a moon rover system based on the same technology, with the goal of making lunar surface exploration more affordable. It's a perfect example of how our region with its startup culture and global talent pool is reaching for the stars!
How do companies benefit from working with the region's numerous research institutions?
First of all, the level of expertise here is incredible - you can find experts in almost everything! What's really impressive is how eager everyone is to collaborate on joint projects. When companies work with our research institutes, we always encourage them to think strategically: Do they just need specific research done, or can they create a win-win partnership that benefits both sides? Our cluster team is very good at facilitating these partnerships. Want an easy way to get started? Come to our free events where research organisations present their latest projects!
What specific support is available for international companies looking to settle here?
We offer five key pillars of support, all completely free! First, our Location Service helps you find the perfect location for your business. Then our Talent Service helps you recruit locally or relocate your team. This includes our Immigration Service. Our Innovation Service will help you with your R&D by connecting you with research partners, and our Finance Service will help you access funding for all stages of your business development. We also offer a Sustainability Service, where we show you how to make your business greener and more resource efficient.
And our support isn't just for newcomers - it's available to all businesses in Berlin!
Where do you see Berlin-Brandenburg's mobility sector in five years?
The future looks bright! Our already strong railway tech sector is growing even faster, thanks to new technologies like AI and automation. When people think of automated driving or predictive maintenance in rail, they think of Berlin. In automotive, we're leading the way in software-based business models, energy-efficient production, and battery expertise - from manufacturing to recycling. New opportunities keep popping up, like drones for city logistics or small satellites for Earth observation. And we're always excited to welcome new ideas!
What do you personally love most about your role as cluster manager?
It's all about teamwork! I absolutely love thinking outside the box and exploring new ideas across different applications with our team. Berlin-Brandenburg is the perfect place for this kind of creative collaboration."
Thank you, Christian.
To find out more about Berlin and the opportunities for your business, contact Christian here:
Christian Heinrich
Cluster Manager Transport, Mobility and Logistics
T +49 30 46302-562
Write an email
Header image: © Berlin Partner - eventfotografen
