Business Location Hof
Partnership for success
The city of Hof can look back on a long history as a business location. Today, this history is combined with the innovative strength of a modern, future-oriented industrial and service location.
Excellent connections to the international transport network and the close exchange between business and science - particularly through the local University of Applied Sciences - are just some of the advantages that make Hof an interesting location for business, technology and innovation. A favorable cost of living and attractive local recreation complete the picture of an ideal business location.
As a reliable and competent partner, we create optimal conditions for the success of our local economy with a targeted economic policy.
The focus here is on the further targeted development of the core economic competencies of Hof as a business location: water and environmental technology, logistics and IT logistics and materials.
Technology, Innovation, Science
The business location Hof has developed into an interesting technology and innovation location, especially due to the Hof University of Applied Sciences.
This good technology and innovation environment is specifically supported and further developed by the city of Hof and the Free State of Bavaria. Close interaction between business, science and technology transfer offices ensures additional benefits for companies. An essential part of this environment are also the numerous networks between companies and technology providers. They are development drivers for Hof as a business location.
Hof University
Practical orientation, internationalization (with a focus on India) and intelligent use of resources are the focus of teaching and research at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
Special competence centers and institutes:
- Institute for Information Systems (iisys)
- Institute for Material Sciences (ifm)
- Institute for Water and Energy Management (iwe)
or the Bavarian-Indian Center for Business and Higher Education BayIND, which is affiliated to Hof University and coordinates and promotes cooperation between Bavaria and India.
More information is available at www.hof-university.de/forschung.html.
New innovation focus in Hof
Innovative start-ups, especially with a digital thrust
For some time now, the city and region of Hof have been driving development as an innovative startup location. In November 2019, the digital startup center Einstein1 was therefore opened on the campus of Hof University of Applied Sciences. This is intended to become the platform for the necessary digitization of medium-sized companies in Upper Franconia/Hochfranken and to support digital start-ups. It was launched by the regional authorities (city of Hof, districts of Hof and Wunsiedel i. Fichtelgebirge) and by Hof University of Applied Sciences as "Netzwerk digitales Gründerzentrum GmbH".
At the same time, Hof University of Applied Sciences has a focus on start-up teaching that is attracting national attention. This area is currently complemented by a StartupLab, which is under construction.
The Patent Center Hof is a recognized cooperation partner of the German Patent and Trademark Office and a member of the European PATLIB network and is located in einstein1. Here, private inventors, start-ups or small and medium-sized enterprises can obtain expert support for questions relating to industrial property rights of all kinds, ranging from searches in the run-up to an IP application to information on application procedures and funding measures, as well as free advice from a patent attorney.
Hof thus offers an excellent ecosystem for innovative and digital start-ups.
Know-How and Focus Competencies
Bundling and network
The Vocational Training and Technology Center of the Chamber of Crafts for Upper Franconia offers technology consulting in all areas in Hof. In addition, there is a business consulting center.
Kekutex, the innovation center for ceramics, plastics and textiles in the Hof region combines practice with further training and bundles the know-how of the numerous resident plastics, textile and ceramics companies in the field of research, technology and training and develops it further.
New important impulses in the field of automotive supply are provided by the Automotive Technical Center Bavaria in the Pole Position automotive supplier park as a lead project of the Free State of Bavaria and the HochFranken/Hof region. In this technical center, supplier companies can carry out their own R&D projects and use the extensive and ultra-modern facilities and testing equipment for cooperation projects. At the same time, the technical center bundles the know-how of all relevant Upper Franconian universities and R&D institutions in the automotive supply industry.
The Bavarian State Office for the Environment, located in Hof, has a wide range of know-how in the fields of environment/water and geology and offers numerous services for industry.
Many international congresses, symposia and networking events complement the offerings in the field of science, technology, research and innovation, especially in the focus competencies of the city of Hof.
