Digitalization Must Be Shaped: In Business, Administration, and Science — For the Region

The congress DigitaleZukunft@OWL is dedicated to this topic: For the fourth time, on March 13, over 300 committed changemakers gathered at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum in Paderborn. They informed themselves about digital strategies for Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) and discussed advanced approaches. The focus was on quantum computing as a key technology for the future. The congress is organized by OstWestfalenLippe GmbH, DigitalBüro OWL, and the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum.

“Only those who understand the connections can shape the future,” says Björn Böker, CEO of OstWestfalenLippe GmbH. The DigitaleZukunft@OWL congress provides valuable knowledge advantage. Moreover, it offers a platform for innovations from OWL and brings together the most important actors. “This clearly shows how dynamic our region is—and what will be possible in the future. Together, we can make a sustainable contribution from the opportunity region OWL to Germany, Europe, and the world.”

Quantum Computing: A New Technology with Huge Potential

A strong forward-looking perspective was also emphasized by Dr. Jan Goetz in his keynote. The co-founder and CEO of the German-Finnish startup IQM Quantum Computers highlighted the enormous potential of this technology: “Quantum computers, thanks to their immense computing power, will help solve some of the most pressing problems of our time, whether in developing new medicines or in optimization problems in logistics and finance. Problems where even the largest classical supercomputers today reach their limits.” Germany and Europe rank among the world leaders in developing scalable quantum computers, offering hope for securing European competitiveness. “To maintain this position, politicians and investors must set the course now. Otherwise, we risk losing ground to major players like the USA and China.”

Research on this technology is also underway in OWL. Scientists at Paderborn University have built Europe’s largest sampling-based quantum computer. Expanding this potential was the consensus among Dr. Goetz, Dr. Thomas Wassong (digital expert for the Paderborn district), Björn Böker, and Sina Volkmann, CEO of the Herford AI startup FINDIQ. In their panel discussion, they explored how OWL could position itself early in the field of quantum computing.

Digitalization Made in OWL: Rural Areas as Innovation Drivers

The foundation is in place. This became clear in the day’s opening panel. Jens Kronsbein, head of regional development, municipal supervision, and economy at the district government, and Paderborn’s mayor Michael Dreier confirmed the region’s good status quo in terms of digitalization. “Ostwestfalen-Lippe has a lot to offer here. We must build on this advantage and seize our opportunities together,” emphasized Kronsbein. He cited the digitalization of administration as an example. “This directly benefits the people living here. In DigitalBüro OWL, the Detmold district government and regional representatives actively advance the digitalization of services and internal processes for citizens. A positive side effect: OWL serves as a model for other municipalities. This once again makes rural areas a driver of innovation.”

Digitalization as an Opportunity: OWL Pioneer Celebrates 100th Birthday

The host and co-organizer of the event, Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum, highlighted the future topic of quantum computing, to which a new exhibition area is dedicated. “OWL is among the world leaders in quantum technology research,” said Dr. Christian Berg, representing the museum. He expressed his pleasure that the congress once again brought hundreds of changemakers together in Paderborn, at a symbolic and historically significant place: “No other location in OWL stands so strongly for the opportunities of digitalization. Heinz Nixdorf laid the foundation for this with his company. This year, he would have turned 100. We are celebrating this with our big anniversary year, Nixdorf 100. Numerous events and new museum highlights make a visit to the HNF especially worthwhile this year.”

Since its premiere in 2022, over 1,200 visitors have attended DigitaleZukunft@OWL. “This is a huge success and whets the appetite for more: more innovations from OWL, even more visibility for this versatile region. It has the potential to become Germany’s strongest economic region. We have proven this once again today,” Björn Böker concluded positively after the congress.

Press Contact:

OstWestfalenLippe GmbH
Ayse Acikel
+49 521 967 331 60
a.acikel@owl.gmbh
www.ostwestfalenlippe.de

About OstWestfalenLippe GmbH – Agency for Regional Development

OstWestfalenLippe GmbH is the agency for innovative regional development for the city of Bielefeld, the districts of Gütersloh, Herford, Höxter, Lippe, Minden-Lübbecke, and Paderborn, as well as for business and science in OWL. Its mission is to make OWL the strongest economic region in Germany. Working with a network of business, science, politics, and society, it focuses on the priority areas of “Sustainability Transformation,” “Securing Skilled Workers & Education,” and “Regional Marketing & Strategy.”

NRW state and EU fund Green.OWL project with around 1 million euros

Circular economy, resource efficiency, climate protection: The sustainability transformation of the economy is an important foundation for the future of the OstWestfalenLippe region — and at the same time a major challenge for local companies. With the project “Green.OWL,” OstWestfalenLippe GmbH, together with Fraunhofer IEM, the University of Paderborn, and 40 other associated partners, aims to implement an innovation offensive for a sustainable economic region. The partners plan to develop a regional master plan and concrete support offers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The three-year project is funded under the Regio.NRW – Transformation program with state funds and resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with around 1 million euros. On Tuesday, Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the state of NRW, handed over the funding approvals to the three project partners.

Minister Neubaur: “Economy, research, and municipalities in OstWestfalen-Lippe work hand in hand with innovative and inspiring networks. I am pleased to support further exciting initiatives from the ‘Regio.NRW – Transformation’ call, which underpin OWL’s strength and innovative power and contribute to the region’s and the state’s future viability. With the focus on sustainability, climate neutrality, and circular environmental economy, the project teams are setting the absolutely right priorities for the region’s future-oriented transformation.”

Björn Böker, Managing Director of OstWestfalenLippe GmbH, explains the motivations and goals: “There are already many good ideas and projects for intelligent energy supply, circular economy, and climate protection in OstWestfalen-Lippe. Now it is important to show that sustainability is not just a buzzword for the economy, but offers real added value. With the project, we can make new technologies and research experiences available to our economy. And for the first time initiate a bold, comprehensive regional sustainability concept for our region.”

Master plan for the region and tailored offers for SMEs

The Green.OWL master plan will define goals, indicators, measures, and projects supported and implemented by business, science, and politics in OWL. “We will prepare current results from sustainability research and develop concrete measures and indicators in the areas of energy supply, circular economy, mobility, and buildings,” explains Prof. Dr. René Fahr, Vice President of the University of Paderborn.

In addition, tailored support offers will be launched that are tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. “In close coordination with companies, we develop solutions that help them identify potentials, take initial steps, find partners, and develop a comprehensive concept for their operation,” explains Dr. Arno Kühn, Head of Department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design IEM. These include, for example, a business model, quick checks, a solution toolbox, and implementation workshops. Moreover, sustainability managers will be trained in small and medium-sized enterprises and business-related organizations.

An important component for securing the future of OWL — and the German industrial location

The project enjoys strong support in the region. Involved are companies, universities, innovation networks, chambers of commerce and crafts, sustainability initiatives, and economic development agencies from the districts and cities. Wolfgang Marquardt, authorized officer of OstWestfalenLippe GmbH, emphasizes the importance of the project:

“Green.OWL is a central component of the new location strategy of OstWestfalenLippe GmbH. I am convinced that with our regional master plan, we will set new standards for a sustainable industrial region and make an important contribution to the competitiveness of industry at the German location.”