Last week, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. (GACC South) brought a delegation of U.S. CleanTech representatives to Munich, Germany, for the 2026 TAP CleanTech Ambassador Trip, a week dedicated to transatlantic exchange, innovation, and collaboration.
From August 23–28, 2026, the delegation connected with leading research institutions, companies, innovation hubs, and public-sector organizations across Munich to explore how Germany is approaching sustainability, CleanTech innovation, critical infrastructure, mobility, and technology commercialization.
The TAP CleanTech Ambassador Trip is part of a federally funded project supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Through this project, GACC South works to strengthen transatlantic cooperation between Germany and the U.S. South in the CleanTech sector by connecting industry, research, public-sector, and innovation stakeholders and creating opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and best practices.
The program offered delegates a closer look at Munich’s CleanTech and innovation ecosystem, from applied research and startup development to corporate sustainability strategy, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban mobility. Throughout the week, participants gained insights into how German organizations are addressing some of the most pressing challenges shaping the future of energy, mobility, infrastructure, and sustainable business.
Highlights from the Week
The delegation began the week with a briefing at the IHK München und Oberbayern, receiving an introduction to Munich’s business and innovation environment and gaining context on the region’s role as a hub for industry, research, and technology.
At TUM International GmbH, delegates explored Munich’s innovation ecosystem and the strong connections between research, entrepreneurship, and industry. The discussion highlighted how academic institutions and innovation partners help move ideas from research into practical application.
During the visit to the BMW Group, the delegation gained insights into sustainability strategy, markets, customer perspectives, and data validation. A plant tour provided a firsthand look at BMW operations and offered additional perspective on how sustainability and innovation are integrated into industrial processes.
At WERK1, delegates learned more about Munich’s startup ecosystem and the role of innovation hubs in supporting emerging technologies, entrepreneurs, and new business models. The visit emphasized the importance of networks, partnerships, and access to resources for early-stage companies working on future-focused solutions.
The program continued at fortiss GmbH, where discussions focused on architectures and services for critical infrastructure, cyber-physical systems, and the growing importance of resilient technological systems. The exchange underlined how security, reliability, and adaptability are essential for future-ready infrastructure.
At Brand Trust, the delegation examined sustainability from a market and brand perspective, including how consumer and business expectations influence sustainable strategies. The discussion offered valuable insights into how companies can communicate sustainability credibly and align strategy with market expectations.
The visit with the City of Munich focused on sustainable business mobility and the city’s broader CleanTech initiatives. Delegates learned more about how municipalities can support sustainability goals through infrastructure, policy, mobility planning, and collaboration with the private sector.
The delegation also exchanged perspectives with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft on CleanTech innovation, applied research, and the path from technological development to commercialization. The conversation highlighted how applied research institutions can help bridge the gap between innovation and market-ready solutions.
Beyond the technical program, the week also gave delegates the opportunity to experience Munich’s culture, history, and innovation landscape firsthand. These shared experiences helped strengthen the personal connections that are essential to long-term transatlantic cooperation.
The trip provided valuable perspectives on how research institutions, industry, startups, municipalities, and consumers all contribute to the CleanTech ecosystem. It also created new opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between Germany and the U.S. South.
GACC South extends a sincere thank you to all hosts, speakers, partners, and participating delegates who contributed to a productive and insightful week in Munich. The conversations and connections built during the TAP CleanTech Ambassador Trip will continue to support GACC South’s work in strengthening the transatlantic CleanTech network.
