Matthes Nagel always knew where he belonged: in the Vogtland region.

The 32-year-old explains, “Everything else was only a temporary intermezzo from the start.” He grew up in Tirpersdorf – and the word “home” has a very specific meaning for him. “I experienced a wonderful childhood and youth in the Vogtland area – in an intact social environment, which included many friends and even my grandparents, with whom I often spent time outside in the natural surroundings.” Matthes Nagel did not have any doubts about his career either: even during his time spent at the grammar school in Oelsnitz, he sometimes worked at his uncle’s company, which has been handling software and data science projects since 1998. Three of the Nagel family members now manage the company in Oelsnitz – as reflected in the name “n³”. They include his uncle and founder Dr. Matthias Nagel, his father Markus Nagel – and Matthes Nagel himself.

Only start a family in the Vogtland region

“It’s easier to start a family here. And the children know that a cucumber grows in a garden and not in a supermarket.”

“The Vogtland area has an ideal geographical setting through the A72 and A9 motorways. That’s one of the reasons why we have customers from all over Germany at “n³” – and naturally from large urban centres too. I can put into practice here what I learned in Munich.”

Matthes Nagel was never a globetrotter, as he puts it. Despite this, he did travel for several years. “It was clear to me that you need to expand your horizons.” He studied multi-media technology in Mittweida for four years and gained a degree in engineering. Looking back, Matthes says, “Thanks to the Saxon training model, I had already gained this degree at the age of 22.” After this, he moved to Munich to the BMW research department. “I was working as a software architect on many exciting projects. It was a great time. But when you’re away from home, you realise where you belong. I visited the Vogtland area about twice a month and enjoyed coming home and switching off.” He got to know the young lady who is now his wife in his home region – although she initially followed him to the Bavarian state capital. “But I knew deep down that if we started a family, then it would be in the Vogtland area.

“We notice clearly that many things are simpler here than in a large urban centre like Munich. Particularly when it comes to nurseries and any kind of care. It naturally helps that we’re not alone here, but our family is supporting us.”

We wanted to offer our children what we had experienced ourselves.” Matthes finally joined “n³” in 2009 – and the young family’s little son is now two years old. What does the Vogtland area have that is missing in Munich?

“The environment and the people are important to me – they’re part of my quality of life. I’ve been involved in the fire brigade since I was a young person – formerly in Tirpersdorf and now in Oelsnitz. That hasn’t changed and it’s important for me.” 

“I still sense this sense of euphoria generally in Eastern Germany. You can find fulfilment here and develop something new. And my generation is the first to be able to make use of all the resources that are available. I know many people who are determined and ambitious. The first change of generation is increasingly taking place now, 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and what has been achieved since the early 1990s. We want to continue developing what has been accomplished so far.”