Cisco, a world leading provider of network and connectivity solutions announced the openBerlin, a Cisco Internet-of-Everything (IoE) Innovation Center that will be located in Berlin's Schöneberg district. Berlin joins the list of other Cisco IoE Innovation Centers around the globe located in Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Songdo, Barcelona, and London.
According to Cisco, the openBerlin will open next year and will receive an expected investment of USD30 million from Cisco over the coming years. The center will catalyze and showcase IoE innovation and development, bringing together customers, industry partners, startups, application developers, accelerators, government organizations and universities. Cisco cited a study which said that Germany is one of the countries with the greatest potential to benefit from IoE due to its well-trained engineers and its innovation power. It estimates the potential IoE Value at Stake for the German economy to be more than $900 billion (close to 700 billion EUR) over the next 10 years. The city of Berlin in particular, stands out as a promiment leader in innovation with 500 ICT companies founded in the city in just the last 12 months.
The IoE center in Berlin will feature a dedicated space to demonstrate IoE in action, and open areas where customers, startups, open communities, researchers, entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts are invited to work and brainstorm on new ideas and technologies. Cisco said that the openBerlin team is already working with an ecosystem of more than 40 local and international companies and organizations, including Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions, Bosch Software Innovations, and Intel.
"Innovation and Berlin go hand in hand. We see the decision of Cisco as a confirmation of our strategic course in economic policy. Not only does Berlin stand for creativity and ingenuity, but also has the power to apply technology in real life and become a reference city for the solutions of tomorrow. For this we need strong partners like Cisco."
- Cornelia Yzer, Senator for Economy, Technology and Research at the State of Berlin
“We consider Germany as an innovation stronghold, especially when it comes to manufacturing and logistics, as reflected also in the Industry 4.0 strategy of the federal government. Therefore, we decided to bring our global IoE Innovation Center for manufacturing, transportation and logistics to Berlin, taking advantage of the strengths and future potential of Germany. With openBerlin and its ecosystem of partners, our aim is to accelerate innovation and the adoption of the Internet of Everything in Germany"
- Michael Ganser, senior vice president Central Europe at Cisco
