Jena. With 250 exhibitors from 15 countries, the high-tech trade fair “W3+ fair” at the Sparkassen-Arena in Jena is fully booked. Until Thursday evening, Thuringian companies from the optics and photonics industry are gathering in the “City of Light” alongside international exhibitors to exchange information on current technological developments.
- Event: Opening of the high-tech trade fair “W3+ fair”
- Location: Sparkassen-Arena Jena
- Period: September 23 to 24, 2026
- Exhibitors: 250 companies from 15 countries
- Industry: Optics, photonics, quantum technology, and aerospace
According to organizer Jörg Brück, 39 percent of the exhibitors traveled from Central Germany, 47 percent from other federal states, and 14 percent from abroad. The trade fair concept features only two standardized booth sizes. This allows startups and established industry leaders to meet on equal footing, which is intended to promote direct and uncomplicated professional exchange.
Economic relevance of the optics and photonics industry
The industry is a central economic foundation for the technology hub of Jena and the entire region. The optics and photonics sectors in Thüringen generate an annual turnover of approximately four billion euros with around 20,000 employees. The export share is a remarkable 70 percent, while around 15 percent of revenue is invested directly in research and development.
Numerous companies are presenting their innovations at the fair. For instance, Jenoptik CEO Dominic Dorfner is demonstrating at the company booth how important the semiconductor and chip industry is for the growing field of artificial intelligence. Young founders such as Frank Rub from the software company Qwasaa or Philipp Riehl from the startup IDLoop are also using the exhibition to present their systems—such as contactless fingerprint recognition systems—to a professional audience.
International delegations and new collaborations
To strengthen the location, Thüringen’s Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John (CDU) announced the establishment of a “Weimar Economic Triangle.” The format is intended to extend the political alliance that has existed for 35 years to include economic and technological cooperation. The initiative begins with visits by economic delegations from France and Poland to Thüringen from September 22 to 25. A total of 25 participants from both countries are gathering information in Jena and Weimar about competencies in aerospace technology, quantum technology, and the security and defense sector.
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Jena and Thüringen: Illustrated book on industrial history
A fascinating look at the economic and industrial development of the innovation region Thüringen.
Background: Jena as an innovation engine for optics and photonics
Jena looks back on a decades-long tradition in precision engineering and optics, which was significantly shaped by personalities such as Ernst Abbe, Carl Zeiss, and Otto Schott. Today, the region is considered one of the leading European centers for optics, photonics, and quantum sciences. Through the close networking of the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität with non-university research institutions and technology-oriented companies, a dynamic ecosystem is emerging locally that attracts international startups and established corporations alike.
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Startups and large corporations meet in Jena on equal footing
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.