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Mayor Benz: "An important step to retain young talent and drive innovation"
With a newly established games hub at the HUB31 technology and startup center, the science city of Darmstadt is strategically strengthening the local startup scene and further expanding its position as a technology location for the rapidly growing games industry. The hub aims to provide creative talent with space, infrastructure, and support – thereby creating the conditions necessary to retain technology-oriented startups in the region long-term.
“Darmstadt has enormous potential – especially in the interplay between universities, research and technology. With the new Games Hub, we want to offer creative minds not only space, but also real prospects. This is an important step in retaining young talent and attracting forward-looking companies here,” said Mayor and Head of Economic Affairs Hanno Benz.
Three pillars for an innovative startup culture
The concept of the games hub is based on three essential elements:
- Infrastructure: Affordable office space, state-of-the-art development hardware and a specially equipped laboratory are available to the teams.
- Support: Professional assistance from experts from universities, industry and the game association Hessen .
- Networking: Lecture and networking formats, organized by the [at] play FRM Foundation for Digital Games Culture and the game Association of Hesse , create exchange and visibility.
“With the Games Hub, we are specifically creating an environment in which creative and technology-oriented start-ups can grow,” explain Laura Abascal y Ballester and Prof. Dr. Klaus-Michael Ahrend , Managing Directors of HUB31. The combination of flexible infrastructure, intensive support, and a vibrant event program is unique in the games sector in the region.
Strong partners and a clear focus
Darmstadt offers excellent conditions thanks to Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences – with Germany's largest games studies program – and the Technical University of Darmstadt, a national leader in the field of serious games. The new hub fills a gap: until now, there has been no central point of contact for game startups in the city.
“The games industry is not only economically important, but also a driver of technological innovation,” emphasizes Claudia Stricker , regional contact person for Hesse at the game association. “With the Games Hub, Darmstadt will once again be visible on the map of game development. We are delighted to be actively involved in this project.”
Hesse-wide networking with Frankfurt
The games hub in Darmstadt is being realized in close coordination with a parallel project in Frankfurt. While Frankfurt focuses on business, law, and market access, Darmstadt is positioning itself as a location for technology and business development. The goal is a joint network that leverages synergies and strengthens startups in both cities.
Further information about HUB31 can be found at:
👉 www.hub31.de
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk)
