WiR GmbH in Ravensburg is the link that connects business, research and the public administration

For 24 years, Wirtschafts- und Innovationsförderungsgesellschaft Landkreis Ravensburg mbH (WiR GmbH) has been helping businesses in this region in southeast Baden-Württemberg to get fit for the future. WiR GmbH is funded by the District of Ravensburg and the Ravensburg district savings bank. Its mission is to actively manage economic development in the region and strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses. An independent, impartial point of contact, it offers small and medium-sized enterprises support with turning innovative ideas into marketable solutions, successfully transforming their business and forming strategic partnerships. WiR GmbH is the link that connects business, research and the public administration. It puts clients in touch with the appropriate specialists, partners, universities and research institutions and helps them access the relevant networks – including the Steinbeis Network. Close collaboration with Steinbeis gives businesses access to an extensive network of experts that offers valuable synergies both regionally and nationally.

One key tool for promoting innovation is the Ravensburg Innovation Award, which is awarded every two years by WiR GmbH and the district savings bank Kreissparkasse Ravensburg. The award celebrates companies whose innovative products, processes or services break new ground, and showcases innovation in the regional economy. The project entries are judged by an independent panel on which Steinbeis experts sit alongside regional institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, district savings bank, district guild of craftspeople and district administration.

The recruitment of skilled professionals is another priority. WiR GmbH’s “Perspektive Erlebnis Wirtschaft” events are a platform for bringing businesses and potential skilled workers together in person. The events are held at various locations throughout the district of Ravensburg. Companies open their doors so potential employees can gain a realistic impression of what it’s like to work there. Participants can get firsthand information on-site about career opportunities and prospects and training provision. “As well as adding value for businesses, the events strengthen the regional economy by getting people excited about job opportunities in the region”, says WiR GmbH Managing Director Maria Rigal.

The “Karriere im Süden” (Careers in the South) project also focuses on the targeted recruitment of skilled professionals in partnership with the districts of Konstanz, Lindau and Bodenseekreis and the City of Ravensburg. The project is currently being expanded so it can provide businesses with even more targeted support in reaching out to skilled professionals and position the region as an attractive place to work.

Digitalization and transformation are key themes

Digitalization and transformation are a major focus for WiR GmbH alongside its more traditional activities supporting innovation and skilled professional recruitment. The digitalization strategy for the District of Ravensburg that it developed in conjunction with Steinbeis in 2021 became the Digital Hub Oberschwaben (DOS) funding program in 2023. A network comprising WiR, bwcon and neuland+ actively helps companies with the digital transition.

DOS has four priority themes: digitalization, sustainability, transformation and innovation. “DOS offers companies, startups and investors access to practical methods, content and skills that are critical to the digital transformation process”, explains Vera Holzner, Steinbeis Entrepreneur at the Steinbeis Regional Center Bodensee-Oberschwaben-Allgäu (BOA), Managing Director at Steinbeis Transfer GmbH an der Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten, and WiR project leader.

DOS offers a range of formats, from individual consulting and company visits to matchmaking events and innovation spaces where people can experience new technologies firsthand. As well as providing them with information, the aim is to enable businesses to use new technologies in practice. Once its funding period comes to an end, DOS intends to keep going as a self-financed service so it can continue to strengthen innovation in the region’s businesses in years to come.

The TIM (Transformation, Innovation, Mobility) transformation network is another project focused on the future. One of 27 networks throughout Germany, TIM concentrates on helping automotive suppliers in the Allgäu/Lake Constance/Upper Swabia region to adapt to new market requirements. The project involves close collaboration between WiR GmbH and IWT GmbH, bwcon GmbH and CyberLAGO e. V. TIM creates knowledge-sharing platforms, fosters collaboration between companies and provides targeted support with implementation of the necessary transformation measures. It offers everything from network meetings, training programs and practical formats like “TIM2GO” and “TIM taucht ein” to digital solutions like the AI technology readiness level model. The project, which runs until the end of 2025, is helping to equip businesses for the challenges and opportunities of the transition.

Targeted support for women in business

Kontaktstelle Frau und Beruf in Ravensburg, Lake Constance/Upper Swabia has been an important part of WiR GmbH since 2006. Its goal is to strengthen equal employment opportunities for women and help businesses to recruit skilled female professionals. Kontaktstelle Frau und Beruft provides individual consulting, workshops and seminars on topics such as career planning, professional development and work-life balance.

A real highlight is the mentoring program for migrant women that offers targeted support with finding work to women with experience of migration. The program seeks to align the women’s personal interests and qualifications with the requirements of the regional economy. In addition, the Contact Point’s director Martina Schmidt and her dedicated team represent women’s professional interests through their involvement in various bodies and initiatives.

Kontaktstelle Frau und Beruf deliberately maintains close links with WiR GmbH in order to ensure strong ties with the business community and promote effective networking between women and companies in the region.

Actively shaping the future with WiR

Through its work promoting innovation and supporting digitalization, transformation and the recruitment of skilled professionals, WiR GmbH seeks to act as a catalyst, networker and supporter for the region’s businesses and as the link that connects business, research and the public administration. With its precisely tailored formats, strategic partnerships and close collaboration with Steinbeis, it provides a strong platform for actively shaping the transition and ensuring a long-term competitive edge.

Large network, quick results!

An interview with Maria Rigal and Vera Holzner

Ms. Rigal, it’s one year since you became Managing Director of Wirtschafts- und Innovationsförderungsgesellschaft Landkreis Ravensburg mbH. What was your first year like?

Maria Rigal: My first year as Managing Director was full-on, but extremely rewarding. It was particularly exciting to bring businesses, local authorities and network partners together to strengthen economic development in the region.

We have set in motion some important plans for the future and developed long-term solutions that will further strengthen the district’s economy and innovation performance. Working closely with so many dedicated partners has highlighted the potential that we have in our region. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in this success story.

Ms. Holzner, what are the most important issues for businesses in the Ravensburg district at the moment?

Vera Holzner: Internal processes and dealing with the tricky economic situation are currently high on the agenda of many businesses in Ravensburg. We get a lot of inquiries about digitalization and transformation, but also about financing, business succession and sustainability. The skills shortage and the huge challenges it poses for all industries remains a key issue, too.

And what role does the economic development agency play in this context?

Maria Rigal: The economic development agency is the link that connects businesses, experts and the relevant networks. We’re an independent first port of call. We take note of companies’ concrete concerns and provide targeted support to help them find solutions – either by putting individual businesses in touch with the appropriate experts or through more general events and workshops. We aim to provide businesses with practical support and facilitate access to the relevant resources and networks.

How does the partnership between the economic development agency and the Steinbeis Network add value for businesses?

Vera Holzner: With such a large network of experts, we can find the right Steinbeis Enterprise for almost any question. The close, personal ties between Steinbeis and WiR make this a quick, uncomplicated process. Businesses also benefit from the network of partners that Steinbeis has a stake in, such as bwcon and IWT GmbH.

Direct support and pooling through my regional Steinbeis Enterprises also often makes it possible to find regional partners for businesses in the Ravensburg district. The close contacts with local universities built up by the Steinbeis Enterprises are another benefit.

What projects are you currently working on?

Maria Rigal: We’re currently working on a number of projects to strengthen the innovation performance and competitiveness of businesses in the region. The Ravensburg Innovation Award celebrates outstanding business achievements and promotes innovative ideas. Our “Perspektive Erlebnis Wirtschaft” events bring businesses and potential skilled workers together in person so the latter can gain a concrete understanding of the available career and training opportunities. Our “Karriere im Süden” initiative is being expanded in the relevant areas so it can provide targeted support with the recruitment of skilled professionals …

Vera Holzner: …and in regard to digitalization, we’re supporting the digital transition through the Digital Hub Oberschwaben (DOS), while the TIM transformation network is providing specific support for automotive suppliers. Kontaktstelle Frau und Beruf remains a key project. It offers women targeted professional development support and provides valuable assistance with recruiting skilled professionals. Through these initiatives, we are responding to the current challenges and actively shaping the future of our local economy.