The E&I Institute is pleased to announce the extension of its long-term partnership with Festo. The collaboration has been renewed for another four years, securing funding for three research positions and supporting the continued development of the Digital Strategy Lab.

This agreement underscores the strong and enduring relationship between WU’s E&I Institute and Festo and represents a significant contribution of third-party funding. It enables the ongoing advancement of research and teaching at the intersection of digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and industrial innovation. To mark the renewal, Rector Sausgruber joined Prof. Nikolaus Franke, Dr. Wilfried Stoll and Dr. Oliver Niese from Festo for the official signing of the agreement.

A central element of the partnership is the Digital Strategy Lab, which provides students with the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges related to industrial digital transformation. The course bridges academic research and practical application, enabling students to explore emerging technologies, to develop digital business models, to learn more about digital learning technologies, and to contribute fresh perspectives to innovation processes.

The E&I Institute greatly values this continued collaboration and looks forward to further strengthening its partnership with Festo in the coming years. Together, both partners remain committed to advancing research, education, and innovation at the intersection of technology and management.