25-27 June 2026 | Saxony, Germany International Exchange on Cross-Innovation
makers united
SAXONY!visit

Making Makerspaces

International guests, experts, decision-makers, start-ups, companies and makerspace operators come together in Saxony for three days of exchange on maker infrastructures, creative ecosystems and cross-innovation.

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Overview

A three-day exchange on open production and creative infrastructure.

Saxony Trade & Invest Corp. Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH, WFS and Maker e.V. invite participants to explore how makerspaces, fab labs, creative hubs and open production environments can support innovation, regional transformation and long-term cooperation across borders.

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 development, operation and sustainable financing. Through site visits, company insights, networking formats and an international symposium, participants will discuss practical models for resilient maker infrastructures and cross-innovation.

Date25-27 June 2026
LocationSaxony, Germany
ParticipationFree of charge, confirmed in writing
Who is it for?

For people building the next generation of maker ecosystems.

The programme is aimed at international and Saxon participants interested in exchange, cooperation and new partnerships.

  • Makerspace, fab lab and creative hub operators
  • Start-ups and companies 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

Site visits, production insights, symposium and makers united.

The programme combines guided visits in Dresden, Leipzig and the Chemnitz region with networking formats and an international symposium during makers united.

Thursday, 25 June 2026Creative Spaces, Transformation and Networks

  • Departure to Dresden

    Kick-off into a day exploring the maker ecosystem of Saxony from different perspectives.

  • Rosenwerk Dresden

    Visit to one of Dresden's established open workshop and maker communities.

  • Joint lunch and transfer to Leipzig

    Time for networking and informal exchange.

  • Baumwollspinnerei Leipzig

    Guided tour of one of Germany's renowned examples of transforming an industrial site into a creative ecosystem.

  • Transfer to Chemnitz
  • FunkenSpace Chemnitz

    Get-together with buffet and drinks at a place where art, science and business are deliberately brought together.

  • Wrap-up and transfer to hotel

Friday, 26 June 2026Production, Craft and Applied Innovation

  • Departure

    Start of the second day with a focus on practical applications, production and craftsmanship.

  • Makerspace Lössnitz

    Visit to a vibrant makerspace and coworking hub enabling new forms of value creation in rural areas.

  • Transfer to Chemnitz
  • Die Fabrik Chemnitz

    Lunch and guided tour at a former industrial site combining work, culture and community.

  • Pirope

    Insights into innovative bicycle components and how design, functionality and maker-driven development come together.

  • Holzkombinat Chemnitz

    Visit to a professionally managed makerspace focused on woodworking and modern fabrication techniques.

  • Vectorlab

    Visit to a makerspace specialising in woodworking and digital fabrication, including large-scale CNC milling.

  • Informal get-together or free time

    A relaxed closing of the day with space for conversations, reflection and new ideas.

Saturday, 27 June 2026makers united and International Symposium

  • Stadthalle Chemnitz

    Official opening of makers united, an international platform connecting makers, creatives, companies and research institutions.

  • International Symposium: MAKING Makerspaces

    International and local perspectives on makerspaces, open workshops and creative production environments.

  • Opening
  • Keynote MakerSpace, Austria
  • Case presentations

    10 short pitches of 6-8 minutes each: 5 international cases and 5 local cases, moderated by Katrin Hoffmann and Frank Müller.

  • Exploring makers united

    Participants discover the festival, meet exhibitors and continue the exchange.

  • Networking during makers united
Registration

Participation is free of charge, places are limited.

Registration only becomes valid after written confirmation by the organisers. Participants can register for the complete programme or for individual programme modules.

Open registration info@makers-united.de
Complete event

Making Makerspaces — International Exchange on Cross-Innovation, 25-27 June 2026.

Module A

Thursday, 25 June, 07:45-17:00: company visits in Dresden and Leipzig.

Module B

Thursday, 25 June, 17:00-21:00: networking at FunkenSpace Chemnitz.

Module C

Friday, 26 June, 08:00-17:00: site and makerspace visits in the Chemnitz region.

Module D

Friday, 26 June, from 18:00: informal get-together at Vectorlab.

Module E

Saturday, 27 June, 14:00-16:30: International Symposium “Making Makerspaces” at makers united.

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.

Funding and project credits

Commissioned, coordinated and implemented with partners.

The SAXONY!visit project connects Saxon SMEs with international target markets, technological competencies and cooperation partners.

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.