Hamburg is advancing the life sciences – and the German Electron Synchrotron DESY stands at the heart of this development. Under the leadership of the Hamburg Senate, four innovation parks are being established to position the city as a leading hub for innovation. In the Hamburg district of Bahrenfeld, the Science City will emerge around the DESY research campus, anchored by the new Altona Innovation Park, with a focus on life sciences, nanotechnology, and materials science. 

Hamburg at the forefront of innovation 

Hamburg ranks among Europe’s top regions for innovation. The life sciences sector plays a central role in northern Germany and is receiving targeted support through the innovation strategy of the Hamburg Senate. A key element of this strategy is the formation of clusters, as exemplified by Life Science Nord. 

Innovation needs space to grow. That is why, in 2018, the Senate decided to establish four innovation parks, which are now being implemented in various districts across the city. These parks will provide new laboratory and commercial space designed to offer optimal conditions for innovation and entrepreneurship. With the new Altona Innovation Park, located directly adjacent to the DESY campus, a new innovation ecosystem will take shape as part of Science City Bahrenfeld. The integration of research, education, and innovation makes it a one-of-a-kind project in Germany. 

Hamburg Bahrenfeld: World-class research as the foundation for science city 

The Bahrenfeld research campus, which ranks among Germany’s topmost centers of scientific research, forms the backbone of the innovation park. Alongside Universität Hamburg, the site hosts the German Electron Synchrotron DESY, founded in 1959 – a globally leading research facility for particle accelerators that welcomes 3,000 scientists from around the world each year. The 3.4-kilometer European XFEL X-ray laser facility in nearby Schenefeld and the PETRA III synchrotron radiation source are cutting-edge research infrastructures. Together, they probe the microcosm – from the interaction of subatomic particles and the behavior of advanced nanomaterials to vital biochemical processes between biomolecules. 

Since 2016, DESY Chief Technology Officer Arik Willner has been working toward turning the research center into a magnet for innovation. “Biotech ideas and business models are especially aligned with the scientific questions explored on campus,” says Willner. Companies benefit from events, networking opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art laboratories – advantages especially critical for start-ups and young firms. 

Today, even start-ups from other regions are choosing to settle here. Hamburg offers a strong business environment – and a high quality of life.

Arik Willner
DESY

Bridging Research and Industry: The DESY Innovation Factory 

A flagship project is the DESY Innovation Factory, designed to bridge the gap between research and industry. In November 2024, the cornerstone was laid for the fully equipped modular laboratory and office building, centrally located on the DESY campus. “Companies can develop projects here that require access to DESY’s research infrastructure and close collaboration with the scientific community,” explains Willner. In addition, entrepreneurs and start-ups will have access to a makerspace – flexibly available and offered at fair rates. 

More Than Just Buildings: A Collaborative Environment for Innovation 

Directly adjacent to the DESY campus, additional facilities for businesses are being built in the new Altona Innovation Park. The first completed building, the tecHHub Hamburg, was developed by Hamburg Invest (HIW) and opened in summer 2024 – a city-funded investment totaling €40 million. The tecHHub includes 60% laboratory space for microbiological and chemical work, along with offices and conference areas. 

This is just the beginning. A second major project, another building of the DESY Innovation Factory, is already underway. The groundbreaking took place in March 2025, with completion expected by 2027. This facility will complement the tecHHub by offering physical science labs to support scale-ups and later-stage companies. “Although the facilities won’t be ready until 2027, most of the space is already spoken for,” says Willner. “We’re proud to see such strong demand—companies are lining up.”

Infrastructure and Community: Enabling Innovation Through Connection 

But the vision goes beyond infrastructure. Buildings like the tecHHub are designed to foster collaboration and exchange. The DESY Start-up Office and Start-up Labs Hamburg (formerly Start-up Labs Bahrenfeld) have become central resources for companies. Young enterprises, in particular, benefit from guidance in planning and setting up laboratory and office spaces. 

In line with the model of Start-up Labs Hamburg, the tecHHub features dedicated community management, led by Start-up Labs Hamburg GmbH and CEO Denny Droßmann. 
“Community management organizes events, connects companies, and provides hands-on support for everything from coffee machines to talent recruitment,” explains Droßmann. “Our goal is to take as much off our start-ups’ plates as possible – so they can focus on their core mission.” 

Rather than acting solely as landlords, we see ourselves as long-term partners to the businesses we host.

Denny Droßmann
Start-up Labs Hamburg

This approach creates added value through networking and continuing education. While there’s no single blueprint, the team has drawn inspiration from dozens of well-developed innovation hubs across Germany and internationally. Looking ahead, Science City will offer tailored space and network solutions for every innovative idea with a scientific foundation and for every development phase of the businesses located there. 

DESY: The Seed of Science City Bahrenfeld 

DESY provides the foundational infrastructure for this urban and scientific megaproject. By 2040, the 125-hectare Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld will take shape, offering around 3,800 housing units, new research facilities, a university campus, and a congress center. Plans also include infrastructure for a new S-Bahn line, recreational and sports amenities, and social services such as schools. The adjacent Altona Volkspark, Hamburg’s largest park, will be an integral part of the project. 

Ultimately, this city district built around science will combine living, working, and leisure – a model for innovation-driven urban development. 

Text: Christian Kähler

Featured Image: DESY / Reimo Schaaf