‘Get Connected’ was the motto of the first Industry-Innovation-Dialogue (IID) at Ilmenau University of Technology. The Thuringian ClusterManagement (ThCM) team designed the series of events to significantly speed up and improve the exchange between researchers and companies in the areas of fundamental research and industrial applications. This conference offers research institutes a platform from which to present their expertise, while companies can communicate their specific needs for industry-focused research. This first Industry-Innovation-Dialogue concentrated on micro- and nanotechnology. The idea is for the IIDs to keep Thuringian companies competitive and up to speed with innovation and help them excel. (maa)