Information and communications technology (ICT)

Embedded systems, AI and security technology are strongly represented in Munich. However, the broad spectrum of application areas is above all thanks to Munich’s many different sectors featuring numerous global players. Quantum technology (see below) has become a focus point since 2021. 

The ICT service sector – software, data, IT services and e-commerce – has long enjoyed dynamic growth (currently 93,400 socially insured jobs, 41,600 of which were created in the last ten years). Digitalization is key to this growth, as major sectors like automotive and banking seek specialized applications and advice. Like everywhere in Europe, the construction parts, components and manufacturing sectors in Munich have faced difficulties recently, but the majority of sectors are still growing.  

The strong application sectors in Munich – automotive, aerospace engineering, medical technology, optical technologies – make intensive use of embedded systems to operate machines and devices and guide processes. This is also why the new start-up superstar Celonis is based here. The young company is in international demand for its process mining, which enables continuous optimization of digital processes.

The Munich Quantum Valley research initiative was launched in 2021 by the Bavarian State Government / Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW), the Max Planck Society (MPG), the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG), the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), and the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Since then, Munich Quantum Valley e.V. and the MCQST – Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology, have been carrying out quantum science research, development, and training in Munich. Funding is provided by the German Federal Government and the Free State of Bavaria. The Leibniz Supercomputing Center and the Walther Meißner Institute in Garching near Munich, home to the supercomputer SuperMUC, are also involved in plans for future quantum computers.

Both public and private initiatives are promoting digitalization and cooperation among stakeholders. Examples in Munich include the Center for Digitalization.Bayern (ZD.B), the organizations Isarnetz e.V. and Digitale Stadt München e.V., and the Münchner Unternehmer Kreis IT for IT companies. Bayern Innovativ – the “Gesellschaft für Innovation und Wissenstransfer mbH” (Society for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer) also plays a key role in promoting innovation and digitalization in the ICT sector.

Munich hosts many national and international ICT-related events, including

• DLD (Digital Life Design) Conference
• Münchner Webwoche
• OOP
• IM.TOP
• TDWI Munich
• Command Control
• 48forward Festival
• Internet World
• Moonova (previously Internet World Expo)
• All Facebook Marketing Conference and All Influencer Marketing Conference
• Bits & Pretzels, the “leading German founders festival”
• AWE Europe AR+VR Conference & Expo – world’s largest augmented and virtual reality event
• Online B2B Conference
• Data Driven Marketing Conference
• MobileTech Conference, the leading conference for mobile technologies in German-speaking countries
• Conference on Quantum Information Processing (QIP)

The expansion of the city’s fiber-optic network is progressing rapidly. The SWM in cooperation with M-met created an excellent starting position thanks to significant investment, while since summer 2021 Telekom has also been involved with an investment program of around €5 million.

Today Munich already has about 1,500 mobile base stations. Another 150 to 200 are planned for the city.