Special Events and AREAS Jena 2025
Special areas
Official Opening
24 September 2025 | 9.45 AM en-tech stage
- 9.45 – 10.30 AM Opening of the W3+ Fair 2025
- 10.30 – 11.15 AM Economic and Press Tour
en-tech.talks Accompanying conference
24 + 25 September 2025 | all day | en-tech stage in Hall 2
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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The Netherlands as a guest at the W3+ Fair
24 + 25 September 2025 | tba
NL Delegation trip from the Dutch supplier network Brainport Industries
Brainport Industries is a network of high-tech companies and organizations mainly located in the Brainport Eindhoven region in the Netherlands. This region is known for its strong concentration of high-tech industries and its innovative strength.
Brainport Industries serves as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange between various players in the high-tech and manufacturing sector. The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of companies, promote innovation and increase the international visibility of the region as a leading center for high-tech developments.
The initiative includes activities such as joint research and development projects, training courses, networking events and the exchange of best practices. The aim is to create synergies that enable member companies to work more effectively and efficiently and increase their innovative capacity.
Swiss companies visit the W3+ Fair
24 + 25 September 2025 | tba
OptoNet + LEG invite members of the Swiss companies.
Internationale Matching Veranstaltung powered by LEG
24 September 2025 | Uhrzeit tba
Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Thüringen, or LEG Thüringen for short, is a state-owned company that focuses on the economic development and promotion of the state of Thuringia. LEG Thüringen supports investors, companies and municipalities in the establishment, expansion and development of their businesses by providing a wide range of services in the areas of economic development, real estate management and infrastructure development.
Its tasks include marketing commercial sites, developing industrial and business parks, supporting investment projects and attracting new companies and investments to the region. LEG Thüringen plays an important role in strengthening the economic infrastructure and creating jobs in Thuringia.
Digitizing Photonics powered by Jena digital
25 September 2025 | tba
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.
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 | 5pm | Foyer Hall 1
Exchange ideas over an after-work drink after the first day of the fair and simply make new contacts in a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors are cordially invited.
OptoNet and friends
Participation by personal invitation.
3 PM Networking + tour of the fair
From 5.15 PM Participation in the Network Apéro with exhibitors, partners and speakers
EPIC VIP breakfast
25 September 2025 | 8.30 a.m. | 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.
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!
“Semiconductor” guide powered by OptoNet
September 24 + 25, 2025 | tba
Discover the leading companies in semiconductor technology at the W3+ Fair Jena 2025. Organized by OptoNet e.V., companies present their latest innovations and products.
Defense and Security guided tour powered by OptecBB
24 + 25 September 2025 | tba
OpTecBB is the competence network for optical technologies and microsystems engineering in Berlin and Brandenburg. As a cluster of companies, research institutions and universities, OpTecBB promotes cooperation and the exchange of knowledge in the region. The network aims to strengthen the development and introduction of innovative technologies in the fields of optics and optoelectronics, microsystems technology, laser technology, image processing and photonics.
Take part in the guided tour at the W3+ Fair Jena 2025 and get to know companies from the network.
Guided tour for students powered by EPIC
25 September 2025 | 1.30 - 2.30 pm | Campus Area
The EPIC – EUROPEAN PHOTONICS INDUSTRY CONSORTIUM offers students the unique opportunity to experience leading companies in the field of enabling technologies at first hand. Registration is requested.
Guided tour for pupils powered by IHK Ostthüringen
25 September 2025 | tba | Campus Area
Pupils are also cordially invited to visit the W3+ Fair! Organized by the IHK Ostthüringen, selected companies will introduce themselves. During this guided tour, participants have the opportunity to get to know the technology and culture of various companies at first hand.
JOBWALL powered by EPIC
Special area Jobwall Hall 1
EPIC organizes a guided tour for students. During this tour, participants have the opportunity to get to know the technology and culture of various companies at first hand.
Who knows? Your future career path could start here!
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.
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!
Life Science Talk
powered by medways on 30 November from 2.00 – 5.00 PM
medways e.V. to professional exchange and networking in the context of the W3+Fair.
The network members of medways offer services or technological competences e.g. in the field of software validation, regulatory affairs, biocompatibility testing, start-up support, business development and financing. At the same time, there is a great need among network members for qualified suppliers from various fields.
Maybe your company is planning to establish a (new) foothold in the life science sector, or you would like to get in touch with new potential cooperation partners as a first step?
Discover the opportunities that medical technology and biotechnology also offer across industries and learn more about the requirements and regulatory framework.
If this sounds like you, we look forward to welcoming you at our workshop on 30 November from 2 PM in the Seminar Room (1st Floor).
Register here free of charge:
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.
Coffee Area sponsored by Helaba, Deutsche Leasing & Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland
25. + 26. September 2024 | Hall 2 booth S11
Treat yourself to a break in between and make new contacts in a relaxed atmosphere.
Disruptive Innovations Made in Germany
Moderation: Dr. Ruth Houbertz / Thinkmade Engineering & Consulting
Innovators watch out: For tow days the Sparkassen-Arena Jena will be all about information and progress. Dr. Reiner Nikula opens for the Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen SPRIND the „Disruptive Innovations Made in Germany“ series with his keynote speech.
