The IHK Nordschwarzwald is bolstering support for businesses navigating the complexities of digitalization, technology adoption, and innovation, offering specialized consultations and training programs. The chamber’s efforts arrive as companies in Baden-Württemberg continue to assess the regional framework for research and development, which, according to a recent DIHK report, receives an average grade of 3.1 – better than the national average, but still considered room for improvement.
Patrick Walz, a technology and innovation consultant at the IHK Nordschwarzwald, can be reached at walz@pforzheim.ihk.de or +49 7452 930-124. He provides guidance on introducing artificial intelligence into business operations and enhancing individual skillsets in technology. Mirko Trautz, a Technologietransfermanager at the IHK Nordschwarzwald since July 2022, offers free and independent advice to minor and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on technologies, innovation methods, process optimization, and collaboration opportunities with research institutions. He can be contacted at trautz@pforzheim.ihk.de or +49 7231 201-175.
The IHK Nordschwarzwald also provides support through its Akademie für Innovation. Manuel Brakopp, based at the IHK-Bildungszentrum Nagold, can be reached at brakopp@pforzheim.ihk.de or +49 7452 9301-22, offering guidance on continuing education programs. Dieter Wittmann, Leiter IHK-Weiterbildung, is available at wittmann@pforzheim.ihk.de or +49 7231 201-186 to discuss broader training initiatives.
Recent discussions among Baden-Württemberg’s IHK experts highlighted concerns about increasing bureaucracy and a diminishing skilled workforce, both seen as hindering innovation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The IHKs are committed to advocating for more innovation-friendly conditions for businesses, offering a range of free and neutral advisory and support services.
The IHK Nordschwarzwald supports programs like Innovationsgutscheine Baden‑Württemberg, which provide funding for research and development projects undertaken by SMEs, start-ups, and founders. Other supported programs include WIPANO, focused on patents and standardization, and the Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM), a nationwide program for medium-sized companies. The KMU‑innovativ program, offered by the BMBF, supports SMEs with high-risk research and development projects.
