"We want to show ways and methods how companies in Leipzig's economy can discover previously invisible growth potential and successfully use it for themselves. Upgrading the operational value chain with suitable services can be a key to success - regardless of industry and company size," says Kristian Kirpal, President of the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce, on the objective. "With the funding initiative, we want to make an active contribution to the urgently needed growth of our regional companies."

Applications can be submitted online from now until October 31, 2018 by IHK member companies from the Leipzig district (city of Leipzig, districts of Nordsachsen and Leipzig) at www.leipzig.ihk.de/plusx. A jury will then select the participating companies, which will systematically develop new or modified services along their value chain in the first half of 2019 with the support of teams of experts. "With the economic Fraunhofer expertise that we bring to the project, we see knowledge-intensive services in the role of drivers for growth and innovation of the business location Leipzig, not only in times of digitalization" says Professor Dr. Thorsten Posselt, Institute Director of the Fraunhofer IMW about the motivation of the non-university research institution in the IHK funding initiative.

The results of the process and the methods applied are intended to provide ideas for all growth-oriented companies.