Innovation and transfer networks - vdma.eu
Innovation and transfer networks
Achieving success through networking and transfer
Research, innovation and transfer networks allow us to reach a broad range of companies with offers suited for practical application. Key success factors include networking and maintaining a dialog with the parties involved, consolidating a wide range of competencies and quickly transferring research results to companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
The VDMA is active in various networks and provides information about their offers and services on a regular basis.
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VDMA members have the opportunity to meet innovative startups at Hannover Messe 2026. VDMA Startup-Machine organizes curated 1:1 matchmaking meetings for member companies with the aim of concrete collaborations.
Our startup community is constantly growing. On this page, we introduce new startups - with a focus on their specific contribution to mechanical and plant engineering and possible points of contact for collaboration.
Mechanical engineering companies cooperate with startups to gain innovative strength, speed and new technological impetus. VDMA Startup-Machine supports with a new offer VDMA members in identifying suitable startups and preparing the initial contact.
At the OWL Maschinenbau-Kongress 2025 in Detmold, experts and executives discussed key future topics such as demographics, decarbonization, and cultural change as strategic levers for plant engineering.
Whether research tax allowance, IGF or project funding - national programs support companies in turning ideas into innovations, reducing risks, strengthening cooperation and putting knowledge into practice.
Strategic impetus for North Rhine-Westphalia's innovation and competitiveness
Two days of future power in Friedrichshafen: at the invitation of Rolls-Royce Power Systems more than 50 participants met on June 06-07,2023 to exchange ideas on increasing complexity in future management.
The exclusive follow-up event to our sixth Future Business Summit took place live in Geneva and brought the future to life. Photos, video interviews and presentations are available now.
A successful event: on May 11, 2022, 60 participants exchanged views on top issues ranging from sustainability management and climate neutrality to "zero impact" in raw materials at the Corporate Foresight spring conference. Exciting presentations, interesting discussions and inspiring networking.
A virtual lab tour gave the participants an insight into the laboratories of three locations of the Fraunhofer Alliance for Plant, Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering.
Startups looking for access to the unique network of the European mechanical engineering industry have come to the right place at VDMA. As a platform, we support young companies in gaining a foothold in mechanical and plant engineering.
The Industrial Cooperative Research (IGF) represents a unique innovation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. As an open-topic and industry-driven programme, the IGF is an important building block in pre-competitive research for mechanical and plant engineering.
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