The Software-Cluster is based in the southwest of Germany, an area that is known as the Silicon Valley of Europe. Numerous universities, companies and research institutions work closely together in and around the key software development centers within this region, which includes Darmstadt, Karlsruhe, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken and Walldorf. Together they develop trend-setting corporate software for the future. The Software-Cluster has already won various awards, including an accolade in relation to the "Leading-Edge Cluster" competition initiated by the German Federal Government.