Idea Garage 2026
The garage – (New) Work in Progress
The Idea Garage is entering its fifth round! On 20.06.2026, from 1 pm onwards, there will be tinkering, questioning and rethinking: all centred on the theme of (New) Work in Progress.
Flexible working hours, self-organisation, flat hierarchies or work-life blending: ‘New Work’ is regarded as the guiding principle of the modern world of work. But how much of this is already a reality? And how much remains a vision?
Amidst the search for meaning, economic stagnation, pressure to perform and the desire for genuine participation, the question arises: is ‘New Work’ perhaps itself still a work in progress?
At this year’s Ideengarage, we’re opening up the workshop, bringing out ideas on the topic and working together to explore what work can be and should be.
In various garages, we’ll be taking a closer look at the New Work concept, exchanging perspectives and exploring together what work might look like in the future. Look forward to inspiration, discussions and opportunities to contribute your ideas and help shape the future.
So: bonnet up, sleeves rolled up, and off to the ideas garage.
Event details
164 Zwickauer Straße
09116 Chemnitz
Who is the Ideengarage for?
The Ideengarage is aimed at people who are committed to social, creative and sustainable causes, who would like to network with like-minded people, and at anyone with inspiring visions.
We’re creating space for your inventiveness and want to move from thinking to doing together.
Highlights
Garage moments
A discussion with founders, businesses and policymakers: “New Work: Vision, buzzword or genuine change?”
Idea Speed-Dating
Traditional speed dating is a thing of the past. We’ll find the right partners for your next project.
Share your idea
Present your idea to representatives from various start-up advisory services and get direct feedback.
Hands-on workshop
Activities for young inventors, as well as a space for networking and sharing ideas.
The Ideengarage 2026 programme
Welcome
Room: Creative Workshop
Keynote presentation: New Work!? – Changing worlds of work
Friederike Kislinger | Creative Saxony
New ways of working promise maximum flexibility. The focus is on self-determination. Work-life balance is included. What will the world of work look like in 2026? And where are we heading in the future? When is it feasible to talk about open working systems, and when do we definitely need clearly defined tasks, roles, responsibilities and structures – and, above all, clearly defined physical locations?
Room: Creative Workshop
Talk: What really drives us (or doesn’t) in relationships
Katja Sonntag | Scholarship holder at Gründungsgarage Chemnitz
Why do some conflicts keep recurring? Why do we find it difficult to express our needs? And what does all this have to do with closeness, intimacy and sexuality?
This talk invites you to look beyond the visible problems and discover the often hidden patterns that shape our experiences in relationships. A personal insight into body-oriented couples and sex therapy, and the question of how personal growth begins where we encounter ourselves.
Room: Old Turning Shop
Workshop: "New Work in Progress – and you right in the thick of it"
with Katharina Gründer
The workshop takes an honest look at how New Work affects us and what we ourselves want to make of it. The focus is on the question: What really drives me, and what holds me back?
Typical attitudes in the day-to-day life of start-ups and businesses are highlighted and reflected upon together. The workshop thrives on discussion. In small groups and joint reflection sessions, we put our inner attitudes towards (New) Work to the test.
Room: Creative Workshop
Start-up Consultation – ‘Bring your idea’
You can present your idea to representatives from various start-up advisory services and get their feedback.
With Anja Prochnow (IHK), Friederike Kislinger and Susanne Krauß (Kreatives Sachsen), Ina Baumholzer (Gründungsgarage Chemnitz)
Room: Old Turning Shop
Garage moments
Together with experts from the worlds of politics and business, we will be discussing: “New Work: Vision, buzzword or genuine change? – Work caught between self-fulfilment, pressure to perform and economic reality”
On the panel:
Nora Seitz (Member of the German Bundestag for the CDU/CSU)
Dr Susann Zeiner-Fink (Head of Human Resources Development at ATB Arbeit, Technik und Bildung gGmbH)
Marcus Lange (Managing Director of the Restoration Workshop, Schloss Kaufungen GmbH)
Dr Nicole Lorenz (former Managing Director of axilaris GmbH)
Room: Creative Workshop
Idea Speed-Dating
Traditional speed dating is a thing of the past. We’ll find the partner for your next project.
AI: One more team member – What would you hand over tomorrow?
With Christian Atz
Artificial intelligence promises to lighten the load – but what happens if we view it as a team member rather than just a tool?
In this interactive workshop, we will discuss tasks, roles and collaboration in the day-to-day running of a start-up.
Start-up Consultation – ‘Bring your idea’
You can present your idea to representatives from various start-up advisory services and get their feedback.
With Anja Prochnow (IHK), Friederike Kislinger and Susanne Krauß (Kreatives Sachsen), Ina Baumholzer (Gründungsgarage Chemnitz)
Room: Old Turning Shop
Quiz: Start-up or scam?
Hands-on workshops and start-up stands
Richard Pfauch
Bettina Rehwagen
Christian Atz
Silvia Kondo
Katja Sonntag
Craft table for children
Kulturwerk Schneeberg: Laser-cut your own stamp!
Completion of the Ideengarage 2026
Catering
Drinks, ice cream and popcorn are available in the ‘Hauptwerkstatt’ on the Garagen Campus.
The Straßenbahnfreunde are serving barbecue food, including vegetarian and vegan options.