Special Events and AREAS Jena 2025
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Thursday, 25 September 2025
Theme block Defense & Security
Lectures & Guided tour & Get-Together - powered by OptecBB
Special Areas
Campus Area powered by ZEISS
Leading universities show examples of their current research work
Special Areas
Special Events - Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Official Opening
24 September 2025 | 9.45 AM en-tech stage in Hall 2
- 9.45 – 10.30 AM Official Opening of the W3+ Fair 2025
- 10.30 – 11.15 AM Economic and Press Tour
International Matchmaking Events - powered by LEG and EEN Thuringia
24 September 2025 | 1:00-3:00 AM | Seminar room 1st floor - for companies from Thuringia only
The International Matchmaking Platform from LEG und EEN brings together companies, R&D institutions and all stakeholders interested in international business, technology and research cooperation.
ALL exhibitors and visitors are invited to joint the open matchmaking event on the second day of the fair:
24 September 2025, 1:00-3:00 PM – International B2B Matchmaking Event with Dutch and Swiss guests – for companies from Thuriniga only!
LEG Thüringen is welcoming two company delegations from the Netherlands and Switzerland during the week of the W3+ Fair. These guests will be available on Wednesday from 1:00-3:00 PM for individual B2B discussions and would like to make contacts with Thuringian companies.
On the second day of the W3+Fair, the matchmaking platform offers ALL participants, both exhibitors and visitors,the opportunity to explore future collaborations in bilateral discussions during two meeting sessions. Register here with a detailed profile and your specific collaboration requests:
Theme block aerospace - powered by Fraunhofer IOF
24 September 2025 | 1.15 - 4.30 PM | Start: Rebooking area in the lobby
Guided tour, lectures and a Get-Together
Immerse yourself in the cutting-edge topic of aerospace in Thuringia at the W3+ Fair Jena 2025, presented by Fraunhofer IOF. With this thematic block, the institute offers you a comprehensive overview of modern aerospace solutions and committed companies in the region. Learn more about current technologies and requirements for this user sector.
Content of the event:
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- 1.00 – 2.00 PM: Guided tour “Aerospace” | Start: Rebooking Area in the lobby
- 2.30 – 4.00 PM: lectures “Aerospace – Mission and Technology”
- from 4 PM: Get-Together at the Visitor Catering Area in Hall 3
The participation is free of charge. For the guided tour, please register without obligation in the ticketshop.
Special Events - Thursday, 25 September 2025
C-Level Breakfast powered by EPIC
25 September 2025 | 8.30 AM | VIP area 1st floor
The EPIC VIP breakfast at the W3+ Fair has a long tradition: EPIC member companies meet with invited guests from the region to network.
Participation in this event is limited to 1 person per company and is only possible after confirmation.
Guided Tour "Optics & Photonics in Thuringia"
25 September 2025 | 10.30 AM | Start: Rebooking Area in the lobby
Why is Thuringia a hotspot for optics and precision technologies? The mix of innovative SMEs and application-oriented researchers makes all the difference. Join the Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM) on a tour of selected companies and research institutions in Thuringia and meet technology and innovation champions with national appeal. Learn more about market-leading products and future applications in optics and precision manufacturing.
Participation in the tour is free of charge. Please register at the ticket shop without obligation. The tour will be held in German but but will offer translations.
Theme block Defense &Security - powered by OptecBB
25 September 2025 | 1.15 - 4 PM | en-tech.stage Hall 2
Lectures, guided tour and a Get-Together
A wide range of optical components are of great importance to the defense and security sector. Organized by OptecBB, the W3+ Fair will highlight the needs of this sector and the conditions for entry. Following the series of presentations, the tour will visit various companies. The event will conclude with a get-together.
Content of the event:
- 1.15 – 2.15 PM: Lectures “Defense & Security” at the en-tech.stage in Hall 2
- 2.15 – 3.15 PM: Guided tour, Start: Rebooking Area in the lobby
- from 3.15 Uhr: Get-Together at the Visitor Catering Area in Hall 3
Participation in the themed block is free of charge. Please register for the tour in the ticket shop without obligation.
Guided tour for students - powered by EPIC
25 September 2025 | 1.30 - 2.30 PM | Campus Area in Hall 3
The European Industry Consortium EPIC offers students the opportunity to meet companies from the field of photonics during a guided tour. Here you can learn everything you need to know about your career opportunities in this cutting-edge technology sector first-hand.
Digitizing Photonics - powered by Jena digital
25 September 2025 | 1.15 - 4.00 PM | en-tech.stage in Hall 2
Jena digital is an initiative of JENA.Wirtschaft.
Jena Digital e. V. is the innovation network for the digital economy and science in Jena. Whether start-up or software company, digital agency or product developer, high-tech company or research institution, university or administration – Jena Digital connects the players with each other.
As a joint communication and cooperation platform, Jena Digital offers important prerequisites for networking, knowledge transfer, innovation and location development with the aim of establishing Jena as a beacon for the digital economy and science in Germany.
Special Areas - September 24 + 25, 2025
Campus Area - powered by ZEISS
Halle 3 | Booth I 8
As the largest and most research-intensive university of applied sciences in Thuringia, the EAH Jena plays a central role in the innovative strength of the high-tech region of Jena. Together with the University of Jena, the university promotes cooperation with industry and society in the joint initiative Nucleus Jena. The University of Jena stands for a broad range of subjects, excellent research and strong knowledge and technology transfer
The following projects will be represented at the Campus Area:
Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
– TOOLS (Tailored Optics for Life Sciences Engineering) is an interdisciplinary research project for the development of tailored optics for biomedical research and clinical application with a special focus on research into minimally invasive diagnostics of otitis media
– Prof. Dr. Brunner’s working group uses innovative coating technologies and microstructuring processes to develop optical components with complex functions and geometries. One focus is on the precision production of microstructured optics in the meso- and nanoscale range on non-planar, i.e. curved, surfaces. This opens up new possibilities in optics production and overcomes previous limitations.
– Prof. Bliedtner’s Production Engineering and Automation working group has many years of experience in the fields of optical technologies, laser material processing and additive manufacturing processes. Innovations have been made in 5-axis CNC grinding of complex components, ultra-fine grinding, laser polishing, USP processing and selective laser sintering of glass powders. Significant progress has also been made in additive tool manufacturing for grinding and polishing tasks.
– The Virtualization Model Factory is part of the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Ilmenau. It provides advice and support on the topics of 3D printing, individualized production and digital working environments with a particularly strong focus on small and medium-sized enterprises.
– Nucleus Jena is a project of the EAH Jena and the University of Jena with the aim of implementing research and knowledge transfer processes for innovations in Jena and Eastern Thuringia to tackle future issues and transformation processes. The focus is on innovative cooperation and transfer formats through the collaboration of stakeholders from science, business and society.
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
– Dr. Sebastian Engel’s Optical excited (Nano-)Hybridsystems research group focuses on the research and development of innovative material systems at the interface of photonics, optics and renewable energies. One research focus is on efficiently converting sunlight into hydrogen and heat using novel ferroelectric semiconductor composites and quantum dots.
– Prof. Turchanin’s research group focuses on novel two-dimensional (2D) materials, their hybrids and van der Waals heterostructures with functional physical and chemical properties. At the same time, he heads the 2D-Mat-Net innovation forum, a network for establishing new value chains based on 2D materials.
– The inter-university research training group Materials – Microbes – Microenvironments, headed by Prof. Jandt, is dedicated to the development of a customized platform of antimicrobial biomaterials for the prevention of biomaterial-associated infections, particularly in the area of bone implants.
– SensX (Sensorized Surgery for Precise Tumor Removal) is an interdisciplinary research project to develop an intelligent assistance system for tumor surgery. With the help of optical sensors and AI, tumor boundaries are detected in real time and reported back to the surgical team via haptic or visual feedback.
– The Lichtwerkstatt is the photonics makerspace at the University of Jena and sees itself as an interface between research, industry and the local maker culture. Its aim is to make fascinating technologies and experiments accessible and tangible for everyone.
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is a research and transfer-oriented university of applied sciences with a long-standing tradition in engineering education. Research and development is characterized in particular by application orientation and interdisciplinarity. As a central scientific institution, the Laser Institute at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is one of the leading research institutions in its field with globally recognized research results on innovative processes in the areas of laser micromachining, laser bionics, laser-based additive manufacturing, laser pulse deposition (PLD), laser processing (macro), laser measurement technology, modelling and simulation of laser processes, laser system and process technology, digital optics and EUV imaging as well as biophotonics.
Students and pupils are especially welcome!
Simply show your student or pupil ID and get free admission!
Joint stand Thuringia - Jena
Hall 1
Thuringian companies are looking forward to exchanging expertise at their joint stand. The spectrum presented here ranges from components and assemblies with precision requirements to equipment and services for development, production, processing and surface finishing.
en-tech.stage
free accompanying conference “en-tech.talks”
24 + 25 September 2025 | all day | en-tech stage in Hall 2
Pitch Point
Pitches from Start-ups, universities and exhibitors
September 24 + 25, 2025 | all day | Pitch Point stage, Hall 3
Cutting-edge knowledge transfer with the free high-tech conference parallel to the trade fair.
Das sind die Top-Themen in Jena 2025:
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- Produktion der Zukunft – powered for and by Photonics
- OptoNet, Luft- und Raumfahrt: Missionen und Technologien
- New markets: Agriculture & Food & Forest
- EPIC Panel Discussion “Photonics Driving Europe’s Industrial Edge”
- IVAM – Photonics meet Microtechnology
- Integrated Photonics
- Defense & Security by OptecBB
- Produktion der Zukunft – powered for and by Photonics
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Visitor catering
September 24 + 25, 2025 | Lobby and Hall 3
Treat yourself to a break in between and make new contacts in a relaxed atmosphere.
Catering is open from 09.30 – 17.00 during the trade fair
JOBWALL powered by EPIC
Special Area Jobwall | Hall 1
Disruptive Innovations Made in Germany
by Thinkmade Engineering & Consulting
Moderation: Dr. Ruth Houbertz | Thinkmade Engineering & Consulting
Innovatoren aufgepasst: Zwei Tage lang dreht sich in der Sparkassen-Arena Jena alles um Innovationen und Fortschritt.
Bühne frei: Dr. Reiner Nikula eröffnet für die Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen SPRIND mit seinem Keynote-Vortrag die Reihe „Disruptive Innovations Made in Germany“.
Die Niederlande zu Gast auf der W3+ Fair
24. September 2025 | tba
NL Delegationsreise vom niederländischen Zulieferernetzwerk Brainport Industries
Brainport Industries ist ein Netzwerk von Hightech-Unternehmen und -Organisationen, die hauptsächlich in der Region Brainport Eindhoven in den Niederlanden ansässig sind. Diese Region ist bekannt für ihre starke Konzentration an Hightech-Industrien und ihre Innovationskraft.
Brainport Industries dient als Plattform für die Zusammenarbeit und den Wissensaustausch zwischen verschiedenen Akteuren der Hightech- und Fertigungsbranche. Das Ziel ist es, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Unternehmen zu stärken, Innovationen zu fördern und die internationale Sichtbarkeit der Region als führendes Zentrum für Hightech-Entwicklungen zu erhöhen.
Die Initiative umfasst Aktivitäten wie gemeinsame Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekte, Schulungen, Netzwerkveranstaltungen und den Austausch bewährter Verfahren. Dadurch sollen Synergien geschaffen werden, die es den Mitgliedsunternehmen ermöglichen, effektiver und effizienter zu arbeiten und ihre Innovationsfähigkeit zu steigern.
Buyers - Contact exchange
September 25, 2024 | 3 p.m. | seminar room 1st floor
Attention suppliers: Meet selected top buyers from Thuringia! The buyers are invited to present their current requirements in a short presentation. Afterwards, the contact persons will be available for discussions with visitors.
Please register for the contact exchange with a free additional ticket in the ticket store.
The event is a cooperation between the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Science and Digital Society, LEG Thüringen, FAKT KOMMUNIKATION and OptoNet e.V. Photoniknetzwerk Thüringen.
After Work Drink - powered by Edmund Optics & Photonics Innovation Booster/Swissmem
25. September 2024 | 17.00 Uhr | Foyer Halle 1
Tauschen Sie sich bei einem After-Work Drink nach dem ersten Messetag aus, und knüpfen Sie in lockerer Atmosphäre einfach neue Kontakte. Besucherinnen und Besucher sind herzlich eingeladen.
IVAM lecture block
25 September 2025 | tba | en-tech stage in Hall 2
As a key technology of digitalization, photonics is becoming increasingly important in the high-tech industry.
Photonic sensors, such as cameras or radar systems for optical distance and speed measurement, have become an integral part of everyday life.
The IVAM lecture block informs interested parties about the latest technological developments.
EPIC Panel Disussion
“Photonics Driving Europe’s Industrial Edge”
25 September 2025 | 10:00 a.m. | en-tech stage in Hall 2
Selected members of EPIC – the European Photonics Industry Consortium – formulate their needs from the user’s perspective.
There will also be the latest technology and market trends.
Participation is free of charge for trade fair visitors!
Guided Tour for pupils powered by IHK Ostthüringen
25. September 2025 | 11.00 AM | Campus Area
Auch Schülerinnen und Schüler sind herzlich eingeladen die W3+ Fair zu besuchen! Organisiert durch die IHK Ostthüringen stellen sich ausgewählte Unternehmen vor. Während dieser Führung haben die Teilnehmer*innen die Möglichkeit, die Technologie und Kultur verschiedener Unternehmen aus erster Hand kennenzulernen.
