The fundamental changes in the automotive sector primarily affect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the supplier sector. For this reason, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, together with e-mobil Baden-Württemberg, the state agency for new mobility solutions and automotive in Baden-Württemberg, initiated the SME Mobility Offensive. It comprises a package of targeted measures to strengthen the innovative power of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Hightech Mobilität voucher, for example, is to close gaps in the support of technology and process innovations, while the InnovativeMobilitätstechnologien technology transfer program strengthens the transfer of knowledge and technology between SMEs and research with its ten projects. The New Mobility Academy is a qualification initiative that prepares SMEs and suppliers particularly for the changes in the automotive sector and presents new value adding potential to them. The focus of the qualification programs is on the areas of the electrification of the drivetrain, automated driving, connected mobility, and the resulting effects on the companies’ own business models. In response to the requests from the companies, the topics of software in vehicles and the circular economy were included.
In order to boost SME participation at the Baden-Württemberg Pavilion at the Hanover Fair, they are offered discounts for their participation at the trade fair. Delegation trips, networking events with incoming delegations or at conferences and trade fairs also support SMEs entering of international markets.
