Our stories about the Bremen economy

For the last 18 years, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz) in Bremen has been at the forefront of research into artificial intelligence, robotics and cyber-physical systems. The researchers are developing innovative solutions that will help human beings, whether on land, sea, in the air or in space.

Into the flowerbed instead of the trash: the products from Bremen-based Scribbling Seeds turn discarded office and advertising materials into tomatoes, basil or sunflowers. Founder Anushree Jain is certain that this is the way to a more sustainable office.

Bremen is Germany’s sixth-largest industrial hub in terms of revenue. Whether the sector is aerospace, food, automotive, shipping or steel production, Bremen has always been a major player.

As a Hanseatic metropolis, international trade is in the blood of the people of Bremen. From here, companies control their worldwide destiny, import and export goods from the most remote corners - we present 10 of them

New perspectives on our beloved Hanseatic city – we take to the skies and show Bremen from above.

...Bremen has the highest export ratio of all German states.

A century of aircraft construction in Bremen – in the post-war years, the "Airbus" project was emblematic of the history of the aviation industry in Bremen. It has been one of the Hanseatic city's most significant industrial sectors ever since.

A century of aircraft construction in Bremen – the story starts in 1924 with the company "Focke-Wulf- Flugzeugbau AG". It marks the beginning of one of the Hanseatic city's most important industrial sectors. In 2024, Bremen is celebrating "100 Years of Aircraft Construction" with a series of anniversary celebrations.

Last year, international companies and investors invested around 8 million Euros in Bremen. In particular, it was funding for sustainable projects that attracted special attention at home and abroad.

100 years of aircraft construction in Bremen - an impressive history full of top achievements. Airbus operates the second largest production site in Germany in Bremen on the site of the former Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG. Bremen site manager Joachim Betker takes a look at the past, present and future.

Bremen has earned itself the title "City of Space". Some of the most important space projects of the past decades were launched into space with Bremen technology and knowledge. But who is behind them? A look at eight companies from the industry.

Reusable rockets, new space stations, shooting down asteroids and our own space port: the future is calling and Bremen's aerospace companies are answering, loud and clear. 11 projects support the drive to conquer space.

New settlement in Bremen: for three decades, the Brüning Group had its company headquarters in Fischerhude. In the summer of 2023, the rapidly expanding company moved its head offices to the Überseeinsel in the Überseestadt (the New Harbour District) in Bremen. A modern brick-built office block with a glass facade now stands where Kellogg's once stored rice.

AI at any cost or proportionate regulation? Silicon Valley is divided on the subject, as shown not least by the conflict surrounding OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman in the past few weeks. By visiting Silicon Valley as a delegation, we are personally going to find out how things are exactly.

The real estate sector is currently in a crisis. However, if we look back into the past, data from previous decades shows that Bremen's property market has remained stable, despite the challenging times.

A top stock from Vietnam briefly becomes the third most valuable car manufacturer worldwide and hydrogen becomes a key factor for the future in Vietnam. These and other topics are covered in our letter from Vietnam, directly from Ho Chi Minh City.

When was the last time you enjoyed a Beck’s beer? Or told your children the story of the Bremen Town musicians? The North German Federal State of Bremen is home to 685,000 people and is world-famous for premium brands. It's also the key to Europe.

New in Bremen: Juicy dumplings, freshly prepared, with savoury or spicy sauce - Mr. Dumpling brings Chinese flair to Bremen's city centre.

... the Überseestadt Bremen is one of the largest urban development projects in Europe and is one of the largest port revitalization projects.

Once a year, renowned analysts collect information for the Real Estate Market Report. This is a review of the past year, combined with forecasts based on the market data available within the first six months. The 2023 report shows stable results despite the current difficult market conditions.

In May this year, Malte Blank took over as project manager for Turkish companies that want to establish a presence in Bremen.

High interest rates, soaring rents, faltering supply chains and low consumer demand: does this mean the end of the good times for the once record-breaking logistics facilities sector? How is Bremen doing as a property hotspot and how can it safeguard its future?

Science plays a leading role in Bremen: in the laboratories of the university, at one of the more than 50 research institutes or in the green botanika. There are many opportunities for visitors to experience science at first hand.

Many sectors are affected by the shortage of qualified employees. However, thanks to its numerous partners, Bremeninvest can offer a broad range of services and assistance to help overcome these problems.

Bremen is one of Germany's major industrial hubs, and many international companies base their headquarters and main offices in the city. Here are ten examples that may not be familiar to everyone.

No fewer than eight Mercedes-Benz models proudly bear the seal 'Made in Bremen'. They range from standard saloons to sports cars and SUVs. Which one do you like best?

Tailor-made support to successfully bring your own idea to the market - or into space? That's possible in Bremen with the ESA BIC Northern Germany incubation programme. Start-ups from a wide range of sectors can apply. Inge Heydt from the Starthaus explains for whom the incubator is suitable and what is behind it.

The entry of Chinese companies into the port of Hamburg or into the German heat pump market caused a stir. China is Germanys most important trading partner, but at the same time the trade war, sanctions and new Chinese laws are changing the business model. Dr Florian Kessler knows how companies must deal with this now.

Doing business in a sustainable, ecological way not only makes a positive contribution to the community and the environment but is also profitable. Ten Bremen companies show us what they're doing.

According to recent statistics, the Hanseatic city of Bremen is Germany's greenest big city, with 60 square metres of green space per inhabitant. The many parks and green spaces in the city include world-class spaces, such as the Bürgerpark and the Rhododendron park, both of which are of German and even world renown. By its own account, Bremen is home to the world's largest collection of rhododendrons. Let's take a walk.

BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & Co. KG’s AutoTerminal in Bremerhaven is a record-breaking automotive hub. Every year, the terminal handles some 1.7 million vehicles. But that’s not all.

Catherine Rau finished her studies at ECOMAT and has now found a job at Airbus in Bremen. So she's now also encouraging other young professionals to consider working in the aviation and aerospace sector in Bremen.

Aviation "made in Bremen": The Airbus facility in Bremen extends over 450,000 square metres, or 63 football fields, and has a workforce of 4,100. Industrial performance at the highest level.

A year ago, ENGINIUS began producing the first hydrogen truck with EU type approval in Bremen. Today, 100 employees already work at the plant. The plans are still set for growth, thanks to tailwind from Bremen and strong demand from around the world.

The greenest major city in Germany is Bremen - with an average of 60 square metres of sports, leisure and recreation space per person. Parks, sports facilities, but also water areas invite you to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city every day.

Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe is the largest trade fair for suppliers of hydrogen technologies. It takes place in the Hanseatic city of Bremen every September. The big names in this sector will meet up there, once again, on September 27th and 28th 2023.

What does the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank mean for tech start-ups in San Francisco? Our USA expert, Tim Ole Jöhnk, investigates. Also in our Spring letter: Chat GPT is conquering the world – but is it a sustainable business model?

Anyone flying on vacation with an Airbus will almost certainly come into contact with products from the Bremen-based aviation supplier AES Elektro/Elektronik System GmbH. But they are not only to be found in vacation planes - even German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cannot do without them.

Around 8 million euros were invested by foreign companies in Bremen in 2022. Especially in the technology sector - as these three examples of successful settlements show.

165 years after it was founded, the Lloyd Werft was on the verge of collapse. "This business is part of our city" said ship-building company owner Thorsten Rönner. So, together with Kurt Zech, a construction entrepreneur and ship owner based in Bremen, he bought the company. The enterprise will return to its origins as a ship repair yard, as part of the business group run by Rönner and his brothers.

The gastronomy scene in Bremen's Überseestadt is incredibly diverse. Let us take you on a tour of the district's kitchens.

ChatGPT is on everyone's lips. But the ingenious artificial intelligence has its flaws and limitations. What can the next step look like? In Bremen, a completely different AI is being created with MUHAI - which for the first time really understands what it says, sees and does. And thus solves an old problem.

Despite crises and economic challenges, Bremen remains an attractive real estate location – as proven by these 8 selected new construction projects completed in 2022.

…Bremen is Germany's greenest city

Artificial intelligences are becoming more and more sophisticated and at the same time easier to use. We took this as an opportunity to ask an AI: How do you see Bremen?

Robot football, exports, fish fingers and sundials – here are nine examples where Bremen is often at the top of the podium.

What would a port city be without shipping companies? Like a town without musicians, perhaps – so it’s a good thing that Bremen is home to a lot of national and international shipping companies. We’ll show you which ones.

Climate-neutral hydrogen is an indispensable component of our future energy supply. In Bremen, more than one billion euros are being invested in sustainable hydrogen projects.

Bremen without logistics – inconceivable! But what do the more than 1,000 companies that make up the sector actually do? We introduce ten logistics firms.

Bremen and Vietnam are growing closer together and hydrogen projects from Vietnam - insights into Vietnam's economy are provided by Huong Thi Hoang, director of our Bremeninvest office in Vietnam.

Old and new, work and home, culture and leisure – modern, urban living spaces are being created in Bremen on 20 hectares of the company grounds of a former cigarette and tobacco factory.

Bremerhaven is where the IWES research institute, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (Fraunhofer-Institut für Windenergiesysteme), is building what is currently the largest rotor blade test facility in the world.

Coffee in Bremen - that's a tradition. Almost every second bean is imported via Bremen or Bremerhaven. In recent years, numerous coffee roasting companies have been founded that bring a whole new coffee enjoyment.

Who are Bremen's hidden champions? Hidden champions are small and medium-sized businesses that are among the global market leaders in their niche industry; they are usually owner-managed and highly influential in shaping the market with their products – but few people have heard of them. A number of these hidden champions can be found in Bremen. They come from all areas of business, including the maritime, aerospace and digital industries. They show that Bremen is regarded as one of the most innovative locations for industry in Germany – and rightly so. The city has the highest export quota of all Germany's federal states – products that are manufactured here are in demand all over the world.

Following two years of pandemic, the Expo Real, one of the leading property and investment trade fairs in Europe, will be returning in its traditional format from October 4th to 6th in Munich. Along with 26 co-exhibitors, the Federal State of Bremen will once again be present, showcasing innovative and pioneering property projects to interested trade visitors.

The federal state of Bremen is home to approximately 676,000 people on 420 square kilometres. Almost 22,000 companies provide more than 336,000 jobs. We present the strong sectors of Bremen as a business location.

What is the best place for a European high-tech expansion? Berlin? Paris? London? The Turkish robot producer Searover has chosen Bremen. Because there's something here that the megacities can't compete with. Welcome to Bremen - Bremen'e hoşgeldiniz!

The pandemic has proven it: When supply routes do not work and production facilities are at a standstill, urgently needed construction and spare parts can often be a long time coming. The Bremen-based start-up WeserCAD has developed an innovative and fast solution.

How does a hydrogen-powered car work? How do you fill it up? And is it all safe? There's a lot of questions about driving with hydrogen. One of the very first users of this technology has given us an insight into this topic on a tour of Bremen and also shown us just what's happening with this volatile gas in the city.

3D printers have been in use in industry for quite some time now. Large corporations such as Airbus, as well as small manufacturers, rely on additive manufacturing. Here comes an industry overview with companies from the Hanseatic city.

The sky is not the limit. Science, production, development and business all agree on this. Aircraft wings, Ariane rockets, Galileo satellites - Bremen is one of the top locations in the international aerospace industry. Five reasons for Bremen's success story.

Is climate-neutral hydrogen worth it? There is no general answer to this question. Because there are many different areas of application: whether vehicles, aircraft, ships or in industry. An overview.

Is the get rich quick dream over? Dark clouds are gathering for start-ups in Silicon Valley, according to our US expert, Tim Ole Jöhnk. In other news: how Bremen has become the talk of the town in Los Angeles.

Go international! Here is our guide to creating an international start-up. It has tips for very young teams and also for experienced start-ups that now want to take the next decisive step.

New in the airport city: CAE-GmbH trains pilots. "We have come to stay," says CAE Vice President European Strategy, Niels Kröning. And is thus continuing a long tradition.

Navigating the administrative jungle can be a challenge, no matter whether you've only just decided to set up your own company or you already have an established business. By providing a "Single point of contact" and a Welcome Service, Unternehmensservice Bremen supports entrepreneurs and businesses alike by answering questions and helping them overcome the challenges they face.

Turbo economy Vietnam: Hardly any other country in the world is growing so fast. Is it worthwhile for German companies to do business there? An overview of the economy and trade as well as the advantages and disadvantages of doing business in Vietnam.

Additive manufacturing without any support structures, minimizing distortion and efficient - these characteristics can significantly improve metal 3D printing. The start-up AMSIS is creating the basis for this - and thus getting a hearing in additive manufacturing.

... the Bremen Freight Village (GVZ) was not only the first German GVZ but is also considered the most efficient in Germany.

Setting up a business in Germany opens up a myriad of new opportunities. New sales markets, excellent infrastructure and a well-educated workforce. But how do you go about setting up your own business here? Here are the details you need.

Established in Bremen with the help of WFB: The medical technology manufacturer ECO is setting up its first European branch in the Hanseatic city. Doctors can use the Chinese manufacturer's instruments to gently treat tumours, thyroid nodules or varicose veins.

Travelling to Vietnam has recently become possible again. We have compiled five tips for business travellers to Vietnam.

In Bremen and Bremerhaven, the transformation to climate-friendly energy with hydrogen is starting. A conversation with Saskia Greiner and Dieter Voß about current projects.

In 2021, more than 90,000 trade marks were filed at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. Find out here how applying for a trade mark can help even very young companies to get ahead, what to consider during the prior trade mark search and how the application actually works.

At up to 5,000 degrees, a new smelter in Bremen produces alloys from high-strength titanium that are in demand worldwide. For the company behind it, this was a long-standing venture that is now paying off.

Trade and industry are Bremen's economic heavyweights. This is an infographic of the sectors, revenues and products involved.

Prosthetic extremities a speciality: GehProTec, the company run by Peter Wehmeyer and Birgit Greubel, manufactures around 400 tailor-made prosthetic arms and legs per year. Patients from all over Europe come to Bremen to receive help.

Will we soon be driving Vietnamese cars? And why has the Corona crisis hit Vietnam much harder in 2021 than in 2020? More on this and a little preview of 2022 in ourletter from Vietnam directly from Ho Chi Minh City

Online trade is booming, and not only since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. We present 11 e-commerce companies from Bremen that are market leaders in their niche areas.

A year ago, hsag ON relocated to Bremen. For company co-owner Matthias Schmidt, the move has paid off: more than 100 employees will soon be working in the new offices in the Tabakquartier. How did this rapid growth happen?

Classic cars are collectors' pieces and investments. Anyone who wants one can call on the services of Michael Esin: his company, LPL Automotive, sources classic cars all over the world and brings them to his customers' preferred locations, via the Bremerhaven container terminal.

Products made in Bremen can be found in many everyday objects, and most of us are likely to come into contact with one or more on a daily basis. Read on to find out what they are.

How will town planners and traffic management systems have to adapt when computer-controlled cars become part of the cityscape? These questions have been under investigation by the EU "ART Forum" project since March 2019.

One year after Brexit, companies are continuing to be severely impacted by the effects of the UK leaving the EU. In Bremen, this means a great deal of work for Ubbo Oltmanns. He is the Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany (BCCG), and wants to strengthen economic relationships between the two countries. He knows that Britons and people from Bremen have more in common than many may think.

Some people lose their speech capacity because of an illness that makes them lose control over their muscles. There is now hope for those affected by this: a team at the University of Bremen has succeeded in transforming the brain's signals that are involved in imagining words into sounds that can be heard via loudspeaker.

"It's basically a win-win situation," says Egbert van der Veen about the collaboration with the Northern Germany Innovation Office, which is supported by Bremeninvest. After one year, the Bremen-based satellite builder draws a positive balance - and wants to take an even bigger step across the Atlantic in the future.

Farm animals usually get soybean and fish meal mixed into their feed as a protein source. The Bremen-based start-up Farmcycle offers a climate-friendly alternative: It breeds the black soldier fly. Their larvae have high-quality protein. Feed producers like the idea.

Made in Bremen, sold around the world: these eight products are hugely popular at home and abroad.

... the Bremen Freight Village (GVZ) was not only the first German GVZ but is also considered the most efficient in Germany.

Becks and Melitta may be high-profile brands, but international food and beverage companies also manufacture lots of other products in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Here are twelve examples.

What is Economic Development? The aim of economic development is to help companies to get established in a particular location (municipality), to expand and to run their business.

The city is famous for the Bremen Town Musicians, the market square, the Schlachte Embankment and Werder Bremen football club. But it is also known as a hub for logistics, science and the automotive and aerospace industries, and as a bike-friendly city that is full of green spaces. To be honest, there is no reason to be modest, though that would be typical of Bremen too…

Bremen is a stronghold of robotics. From medium-sized companies to global players, the corporate landscape is broadly based. What is striking here is the numerous areas of application - we have 10 examples

Bremen's ports are the engine that drives economic activity throughout the region. But do you know which goods arrive and depart, and where? We have taken a look around the eight port complexes in Bremen.

Urban, sustainable and multi-storey – is that what the urban logistics facility of the future look like? We are talking to Markus Meyer, Head of Northern Germany for Goodman, the property developers.

Extreme reactions to new corona virus cases, the triumphant march of meat alternatives and business opportunities for companies in the environment sector – find out more in our Letter from China.

It's primarily thanks to companies involved in the aviation and aerospace sector that Bremen is also known as the "City of Space". This article provides an introduction to ten companies in this sector.

This robot's job doesn't start until the last member of staff leaves the store at the end of the working day: Roaming through the shelves, he helps physical stores to compete with online retailers.

Cargo bikes are truly multitalented – they are not just appreciated by private individuals, but also those in business. Bremen is supporting the cargo bike in business and trade with a wider range of initiatives. Here is an overview.

A car plant seldom comes alone. Many suppliers have based themselves in close proximity to the automotive giant Mercedes Benz in Bremen. They ensure that the assembly line never stops. We demonstrate the wide range of companies and technologies that make up Bremen's automotive supply chain.

In sectors where the safety requirements are exceptionally high, such as aviation, manufacturing errors must be prevented at all costs. A project based in Bremen is creating an algorithm that will work as an adjunct to visual inspections.

The cargo bike business is booming, as is the Bremen bike manufacturer Velo Lab. With a new production facility in the New Harbour District, and innovative bike designs, its founder Stathis Stasinopoulos is truly in tune with the times. A "test drive".

Alternatives to meat and fish, and meat grown in a laboratory, are about to revolutionise our eating habits. In this newsletter, we're going to take a closer look at this industry and showcase ten extremely promising start-ups from around the world.

…Bremen is Germany's greenest city

Bremen is primarily known as an industrial city and a trading centre. However, many companies in the biotech and medical technology sector have chosen Bremen as their high-tech location. Here are ten examples.

Holidaying in Turkey in 2021 – might that be possible? How has the Corona crisis affected the Turkish economy? You'll find all this and more in our Spring 2021 country reports.

Corona has triggered a boom in demand, but facilities are facing changing requirements and questions of sustainability at the same time. What are the developments currently facing the logistics properties sector?

In three years, aerospace technology from Bremen will take humans to the Moon. In addition to the propulsion and service module for the "Orion" spacecraft, which is part of the USA's human space flight programme, work is under way on a concept for an autonomous moon rover that will supply the future stations on the Moon.

Marcel Hesselmann is a young scientist who is currently researching how using innovative new materials can cut the cost of sending rockets into space. Working as part of the @ALL collaborative project, he's using the facilities at the ECOMAT research and development centre in Bremen to launch his professional career.

The opportunities and risks of doing business in Vietnam and Germany's smallest Federal State on the big stage that is Vietnam – these are some of the topics in our Spring 2021 regional report.

The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is composed of two cities, namely the city of Bremen itself (population approx. 568,000) and the port city of Bremerhaven (population approx. 114,000). The two cities are 53 km apart, but together they comprise the German federal state that carries the official designation “Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.”

Bremen's Überseestadt (New Harbour District) is one of the largest urban development projects in Europe. Here is a selection of some of the large-scale construction projects that are currently in progress and will bring even more diversity to this area.

Gifts of digital money from the government and a region with opportunities for German companies – just some of the points covered in our China newsletter.

Despite the crisis, Germany's smallest state recorded 40 foreign direct investments (FDI) last year, with around 252 jobs created.

Intelligent robots, self-driving cars, smart chatbots – is this what our world will look like in 2030? We asked representatives from the research and business sectors in Bremen for their thoughts on the future impact of artificial intelligence.

The Germany Skilled Labour Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz), which came into force a year ago, is speeding up and simplifying the process for attracting and employing skilled workers from outside Germany. In Bremen, the Gesundheit Nord hospital group has also been able to attract healthcare workers from Mexico, thanks to the German Government's recruitment agreement.

Peter Decu represents Bremen in London. He knows the British industrial landscape and is convinced that many companies have not yet ever started to feel the full effects of Brexit.

Our real estate market report summarizes annual trends and statistics in the office, logistics and residential real estate, retail location and investment market sectors.

What effect will Brexit have on companies? Everything you need to know about the new regulations and procedures that affect customs duties and taxes when exporting goods to the United Kingdom or importing goods from there.

In order to attract companies based in the United Kingdom to locate in Bremen and to strengthen mutual trade relations, Bremeninvest, the foreign brand of WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH, has been active in London since January 1, 2021.

How do new, innovative companies come into being? Sometimes with a start-up directly out of the university or college. Eight Bremen companies that have outgrown the nursery of science.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also making its way into the maritime industry. It enables autonomous systems, more efficient processes and safer operations. An overview of the state of AI in shipping and port industries with current examples.

Working from home instead of in the office? A boom in online rather than retail business? The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating many trends. Silicon Valley is often seen as a forerunner in this development, but also finds value in old practices. Our insights into the United States.

…Bremen is Germany's greenest city

An award-winning pioneer – Bremen’s Cargo Distribution Center (GVZ) was the first of its kind in Germany and is still one of the leading hubs domestically and internationally. Investors and logistics specialists alike value the benefits it offers.

The northern federal states form a Green Hydrogen Initiative. The goal is the successful establishment of a green hydrogen economy to realise practically full supply coverage for all interested purchasers of green hydrogen.

If you need to rotate a satellite in space, you will almost certainly be using technology from Bremen. The design is ingenious – and that is why practically every spacefaring nation on Earth has an important entry in its address book under the letter Z.

Today Tamim Fannoush is an enthusiastic Bremen citizen. The Libyan originally came to the Hanseatic city to do business here. Now he lives here - and with his growing business he helps to take advantage of business opportunities in a rather unknown African country.

The autonomous, civilian MUM submarine has been designed to spend days and weeks submerged performing tasks for research and industry.

Industry 4.0 describes one of the most comprehensive revolutions in our production landscape - so comprehensive, in fact, that it has been awarded the title of fourth industrial revolution. But what is it all about?

Vehicles as far as the eye can see: Bremerhaven’s AutoTerminal is Germany’s largest automotive hub. A research project aims to make the transshipment process even more efficient.

Vietnam is one of the East Asian countries that have fared best during the coronavirus crisis. Indeed, its economy has actually grown strongly this year. This has presented foreign investors with opportunities in a number of industries.

5G, the next generation of mobile data infrastructure, is waiting in the wings. The research project in Bremen 5GSatOpt aims to use space to expand the mobile data infrastructure to the furthest corners of the earth, with the help of constellations of small satellites.

Policies that boost innovation aim to support the ongoing structural change in industrial companies, SMEs and related service providers. Promoting promising technologies is a particularly important part of this. Some technologies feed into each other, ...

The future lies in the Far East. In Yang Pu, to be precise. Find out more about the benefits that this new trade port offers for companies operating in China in the autumn 2020 edition of our Letters from China.

David Zhou first came to Bremen seven years ago. The Corona crisis has given the lighting manufacturer undreamt-of tailwind - and virtually swept his warehouse empty. This is not the only reason why he feels right at home in Bremen.

Kathrin and Mark Patel from Bremen are among the most successful designers in their chosen field. Their carpet and wallpaper collections have received numerous awards and the two collaborate with leading manufacturers. The secret of their success? All of their work tells a story.

Will Silicon Valley soon be history? And are the market values of electric vehicle manufacturers like Nikola and Tesla justified? Here are some fresh insights from our Silicon Valley office into what is going on in the heartland of tech on the US west coast.

Setting up your own business is never easy, but Bremen offers the perfect environment for budding entrepreneurs. A unique start-up scene has taken root in the region that will help you access the expertise, contacts and funding that you'll need to succeed. So what are you waiting for?

A major success for Bremerhaven: The special-purpose vehicle manufacturer MAFI & TREPEL is buying a 13.7 hectare site and creating up to 200 jobs in the port city. The decisive factor: the excellent port infrastructure.

Our colleague in Turkey, Erol Tüfekci, has prepared a video – set against the impressive skyscraper skyline of Izmir’s modern Bayrakli district – in which he describes how Bremeninvest helps companies with their business in Germany.

Experts speak of Bremen and Bremerhaven as the "food capitals of Germany", and this hardly seems an exaggeration for the second strongest manufacturing sector in the federal state. What would you like? Coffee or fish?

How is Turkey handling the coronavirus crisis? And why is Istanbul attracting investment of nearly US$ 2 billion from Silicon Valley?

Bremen space technology company OHB is set to become a new partner of the Northern Germany Innovation Office (NGIO). The company’s membership of the NGIO is part of its new corporate strategy focused on providing digital services.

At the end of May 2020, JDE Peets followed in the footsteps of other successful businesses from Bremen and made its initial public offering. We have put together a brief introduction to exchange-traded companies from the region and their business models.

World trade is increasingly centred on Asia. Taiwan makes an ideal base for export-focused German companies, as Joe Chou of the Taiwan Trade Center in Germany explains in our interview.

Social distancing, masks and hygiene – a variety of different measures help to slow down the spread of coronavirus. Bremen company Statex has developed another tool to add to the armoury. Its copper tape ensures that viruses on door handles and other surfaces are deactivated faster.

Bremen and Taiwan share a long-standing friendship. The Hanseatic city has been in close contact with the Asian island for more than 30 years. New opportunities in Far Eastern markets are opening up for Bremen-based companies despite the coronavirus crisis.

The first offshore wind turbines reach the end of their lifetime. But so far nobody knows how to dismantle the white giants sustainably and efficiently.

How is Vietnam managing the coronavirus pandemic? Does the crisis represent a financial setback for this rapidly growing and modernising country? In this edition of our country newsletter for Vietnam we seek to answer these questions.

There’s a huge market for wearable computing solutions – especially ones that are able to provide virtual assistance as well. One of the global leaders in this field is Ubimax, a company from Bremen.

As the coronavirus crisis takes a firm hold on the global economy, we look at the supply chains between China and Bremen, report on Sino-German solidarity, and find out what the situation is in Shanghai.

Our three international offices in China, Vietnam and Turkey, and our partner office in Silicon Valley, report on the local situation and how they are managing the coronavirus crisis.

Tim Ole Jöhnk works for the Northern Germany Innovation Office in Silicon Valley. We wanted to find out what the coronavirus pandemic is like for a German in California – and how he organises his working day online.

Will we soon be driving electric cars made in Turkey? And how did a former Werder Bremen player become surprisingly popular here? Our country newsletter provides insights into Turkey as a business location.

Co-working spaces are very much in vogue. Especially in large cities, more and more people are renting space in modern office communities - for hours, days or months. We take a look at the co-working spaces in Überseestadt and answer key questions: How much is the rent? What do I get in return? And of course: Where do I get my coffee?

The three young founders of Yurudesign have already caused quite a stir in the Turkish furniture market. Now they’ve got their sights set on Europe. To get the ball rolling, one of them has moved to Bremen – and we accompanied him during his first few days.

Embarking on digital transformation is a bit like setting sail without a map and GPS – no one knows where the journey will take you and what to expect along the way. Fortunately, there are a number of places in Bremen where you can find the support you need to ensure your digital journey is a safe one. We have created a list for you.