Jena as a leading economic centre

Location with potentials

The geographical location in the centre of Germany, but also the concentration of economy and student life, keep the town young and make it attractive to investors and visitors. The traditional values of Jena are the foundation for innovations and unusual networking structures in economy and science. They stand for the character of the town, but also for its demands and goals.

The economic and scientific enterprises domiciled in the town operate on the highest international level and have set many milestones. This explains the establishment of many new technology-orientated branches, but also the presence of subsidiaries of
renowned global groups.

High-tech with tradition

Enterprises like ZEISS, Jenoptik, SCHOTT Jenaer Glas and Jenapharm with their traditional roots have built up and consolidated the economic region and with technologies that were at that time visionary made it attractive to new high-tech enterprises. Highly qualified work, world-wide co-operation, a proportion of more than 40 % of exports in the industry, well-developed infrastructures and a growing economic potential establish Jena's reputation as an high-tech location.

Leading centre for biotechnology

The effective co-operation of science and economy brought Jena to the top position as a BioRegio in East Germany. In a competition throughout Germany the town received the special mention from an international jury, for the specialisation of research and economy in the field of biotechnology. The promotion involved by the Federation and the Land caused the building up and the consolidation of the founders centre for biotechnology and the creation of optimum conditions for innovation. The large number of newly established biotechnology enterprises shows the success of the plan.

Excellent scientific scene

The wide range of scientific research is enormous and attributable to the presence of the most different institutes and scientific establishments. As site of a renowned complete university, of the biggest university of applied sciences in Thuringia and of numerous not university related institutes, Jena has an extensive network of a scientific scene in town that co-operates with research institutions throughout Germany and the world. Many scientific discoveries from Jena are starting points for international research projects. Particularly institutions related with the industry see their future in the region.

Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena

University of Applied Sciences Jena

Powerful networks

Jena is the centre of various competence networks. These promote the networking of enterprises and research institutions throughout Thuringia and the neighbouring Lands. Jena holds a leading position within these networks, particularly in the fields of optics, ophthalmology, nano and biotechnology.

Well-directed promotion

The economic region of Jena offers a large number of optimum location factors: specialised economic and scientific fields, highly qualified human resources, the strategically important position in the centre of Germany, well-established traffic connections and a large number of attractive industrial areas. Business promotion of the municipality of Jena with its partners has built up a complex advisory and service network to pave the way into the high-tech region, for interested enterprises from Germany and from abroad.

Well-connected

The direct connection to the motorway network and the Intercity-Express railway line is a strategic advantage for Jena. There are two motorway slip-roads to A4 motorway (Dresden-Frankfurt/M.) in the municipal area. Via the nearby motorway intersection Hermsdorfer Kreuz there is a direct connection to A9 motorway (Berlin-Nuremberg).
The rail network and the newly extended Intercity-Express station (Berlin-Munich) connect Jena with all European capitals and big cities.
It’s also possible to get to Jena by aircraft. In the close vicinity there is the air station Jena-Schöngleina, used by more than 100 enterprises and institutions of the region. Aircraft up to 5.7 t can take off from the 1,200 m long take-off and landing runway. Apart from business people the airfield is used by amateur pilots too.

Travel Information

Attractive cultural centre

Even in the past centuries varied natural landscapes and progressive thinking brought renowned scholars and personalities of world history to Jena. Goethe and Schiller worked here, Romanticism was founded here and Napoleon’s campaigns also crossed the town. Cultural and historical sights in the town show all this. But the modern cultural scene becomes a talking point too. The annual “Kulturarena” brings international stars to Jena. The wide landscape of museums and theatre has individual and excellent offers.

Tourism in Jena

Culture in Jena

Jena in figures:

first mentioning: 9th century
altitude: 144-400 m amsl
inhabitants: more than 102,000
students: more than 24,000
employees: more than 43,000
proportion of exports: always more than 40 %