SAXONY!visit: Making Makerspaces

International Exchange on Cross-Innovation
 

25–27 June 2026 | Saxony, Germany
 

As part of the SAXONY!visit programme, Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH, WFS  and Maker e.V. invite international guests, experts, decision-makers, start-ups, companies and makerspace operators to Saxony for a three-day exchange on maker infrastructures, creative ecosystems and cross-innovation.

Building on the legacy of the European Capital of Culture year Chemnitz 2025 and connected to the Maker Residence programme and the makers united festival, Making Makerspaces brings together international and regional actors from the cultural and creative industries, technology, crafts, entrepreneurship and open workshop culture.
 

The programme focuses on the development, operation and sustainable financing of makerspaces, fab labs, creative hubs and open production environments. Through site visits, company insights, networking formats and an international symposium, participants will explore how maker infrastructures can support innovation, regional transformation and long-term cooperation across borders.

Participation is free of charge. Registration only becomes valid after written confirmation by the organisers.
 

REGISTER HERE: https://eveeno.com/648350919

 

Who is it for?
 

The programme is aimed at international and Saxon participants who are interested in exchange, cooperation and new partnerships, including:

• makerspace, fab lab and creative hub operators

• start-ups and companies working at the intersection of technology, craft and creativity

• cultural and creative industries professionals

• researchers, innovation managers and project developers

• regional development actors and decision-makers

• partners interested in international cooperation and cross-innovation
   

Programme
 

Thursday, 25 June 2026
Creative Spaces, Transformation and Networks

07:30 | Departure to Dresden
Kick-off into a day that explores the maker ecosystem of Saxony from different perspectives.

​

09:00 | Rosenwerk Dresden
Visit to one of Dresden’s established open workshop and maker communities.
 

11:30 | Joint lunch and transfer to Leipzig
Time for networking and informal exchange.
 

13:30 | Baumwollspinnerei Leipzig
Guided tour of one of Germany’s renowned examples of transforming an industrial site into a creative ecosystem. The Spinnerei illustrates how structural change can create new spaces for art, entrepreneurship and innovation.
 

15:30 | Transfer to Chemnitz
 

17:00 | FunkenSpace Chemnitz — Get-together with buffet and drinks

The Funken Akademie is a place where art, science and business are deliberately brought together to jointly develop new ideas and innovative approaches.
 

20:30 | Wrap-up and transfer to hotel

Friday, 26 June 2026

Production, Craft and Applied Innovation

08:30 | Departure
Start of the second day with a focus on practical applications, production and craftsmanship within the Saxon maker ecosystem.

09:30 | Makerspace Lössnitz
Visit to a vibrant makerspace and coworking hub. The place demonstrates how collaborative work, open workshops and creative networks enable new forms of value creation in rural areas.

11:30 | Transfer to Chemnitz

12:30 | Die Fabrik Chemnitz — Lunch and guided tour
A place in transition: Die Fabrik exemplifies new ways of repurposing former industrial sites by combining work, culture and community.

14:30 | Pirope
Insights into the development of innovative bicycle components and how design, functionality and maker-driven development come together.

16:00 | Holzkombinat Chemnitz
Visit to a professionally managed makerspace focused on woodworking and modern fabrication techniques.

18:00 | Vectorlab
Visit to a makerspace specialising in woodworking and digital fabrication. The use of large-scale CNC milling machines highlights how industrial technologies can become accessible within a maker environment.

19:30 | Informal get-together or free time
Closing the day in a relaxed atmosphere, with space for conversations, reflection and new ideas.

Saturday, 27 June 2026

makers united and International Symposium

10:00–12:00 | Stadthalle Chemnitz

Official opening of makers united

makers united is an international platform that connects makers, creatives, companies and research institutions across borders. It fosters collaboration at the intersection of technology, craftsmanship and innovation, creating space for experimentation and hands-on exchange.

14:00–16:30 | Stadthalle Chemnitz, Foyer

International Symposium: MAKING Makerspaces

The symposium brings together international and local perspectives on makerspaces, open workshops and creative production environments. It asks how these spaces can be developed, operated and financed sustainably — and how they can become drivers of cross-innovation between culture, business, technology and society.

Symposium programme

14:00 | Opening

14:15 | Keynote
MakerSpace, Austria

14:30 | Case presentations
10 short pitches of 6–8 minutes each:

• 5 international cases

• 5 local cases

Moderated by Katrin Hoffmann and Frank Müller (board of directors Maker e.V.)

16:30 | Exploring makers united
Participants are invited to discover the makers united festival, meet exhibitors and continue the exchange with makers, companies and creative practitioners.

18:00–21:00 | Networking during makers united

Registration
 

Participation is free of charge, but places are limited.

You can register for the complete programme or for individual programme modules:

• Complete event // Making Makerspaces — International Exchange on Cross-Innovation, 25–27 June 2026

Individual programme modules

• A | Thursday, 25 June, 07:45–17:00

         Company visits in Dresden and Leipzig

• B | Thursday, 25 June, 17:00–21:00

         Networking at FunkenSpace Chemnitz

• C | Friday, 26 June, 08:00–17:00

         Site and makerspace visits in the Chemnitz region

• D | Friday, 26 June, from 18:00

         Informal get-together at Vectorlab

• E | Saturday, 27 June, 14:00–16:30

         International Symposium “Making Makerspaces” at makers united

REGISTRATION: https://eveeno.com/648350919

Please complete all required fields in the registration form and press the green “Register now” button at the end of the form. Entries are only submitted after this action. As the programme has a minimum and maximum number of participants, please cancel your registration if you are no longer able to attend.

Registration only becomes valid after written confirmation by the organisers.
 

Funding and project credits
 

This event is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.

The project is commissioned by the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action — Sächsisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit, Energie und Klimaschutz, SMWA.

The SAXONY!visit project is coordinated by Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH — Saxony Trade & Invest Corp., WFS.
 

The project is implemented in cooperation with Maker e.V. and supported by KREATIVES SACHSEN.

SAXONY!visit delegation visits offer small and medium-sized enterprises from Saxony the opportunity to explore new target markets, identify concrete sales potential and develop cooperation opportunities. Decision-makers from relevant target markets are invited to get to know Saxony as a business location, its technological competencies and potential cooperation partners.