Program machn Stage
Capital determines which ideas flourish and which fade away. This panel brings together different perspectives.
After all, investment today, more than ever, sets the strategic course – whether for traditional industry, start-ups or banks.
The focus is on the question of how private capital in Germany can be channelled into innovation rather than short-term security.
Speakers
- Kristina Jeromin, Head of the ‘Made in Germany 2030’ Initiative
- Sven Wiesenthal, Corporate Finance, Bankhaus Metzler
- Klaus Lehmann, Partner, High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
- Fabian Burger, Managing Director, GmbH Burger Group
Moderator
- Marcel Spiegelhalter, wvib
Autonomous systems, learning machines, visions of humanoid robots… it all sounds spectacular, but what is the reality in practice?
This panel brings together research, industry and technology transfer to explore where robotics is currently creating measurable added value, which processes it is actually transforming, and where expectations are outstripping technical maturity.
Speakers
- Prof. Dr Thomas Wendt, Head of the Work-Life Robotics Institute (WLRI), Offenburg University of Applied Sciences
- Jérémy Lefint, Research Associate, ‘Health and the Technologisation of Life’ Research Group, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) at KIT
- Jens Müller, Founder & Managing Director, M&P Müller und Partner Sachverständige
- Veit Thurm, Partner and Managing Director, Drees & Sommer
- Mathias Welteroth, Sales Director, Terra Connect GmbH
Moderator
- Stefan Fuchs, wvib
How does China manage to take innovations from concept to industrial implementation in record time, and what does this pace mean for Europe’s competitiveness? Against a backdrop of bold pragmatism, digital infrastructure and strategic industrial policy, experts discuss whether and how Germany and Europe need to redefine their own pace.
A conversation about speed, trust and responsibility in times of global transformation. We deliberately wish to frame the panel not as a geopolitical discussion, but as an economic and practical exchange of experiences, with a view to mutual learning about innovation and implementation processes.
Speakers
- Kuan-Lun Lee, CEO, SineFine Technology GmbH
- Leiming Zeng, Senior Lead Solution Architect, Alibaba Cloud Central Europe Region
- Andre Hack, Managing Director of SICK China and Member of the Corporate Management Board, SICK AG
Moderator
- Dr Sven Ufe Tjarks, Solicitor | Specialist in Commercial and Company Law, FRIEDRICH GRAF VON WESTPHALEN & PARTNER mbB
Climate targets, environmental responsibility and industrial competitiveness will determine which technologies secure a competitive edge.
This panel brings together technology-neutral perspectives from industry, smart energy systems and new nuclear energy concepts.
Speakers
- Prof. Dr Estelle Herlyn, Board Member, Global Energy Solution e.V.
- Ruwen Konzelmann, Managing Director, Theben Smart Energy GmbH
- David Duttlinger, Managing Director, August Weckermann KG
Moderator
- Gregor Preis, wvib
How can organisations effectively strengthen their IT security and digital resilience in an increasingly uncertain environment? The focus is on attack patterns, typical vulnerabilities and effective countermeasures. The session will also explain what NIS-2 actually entails and how responsibilities, processes and the ability to provide evidence can be sensibly structured. Another key focus is reducing digital dependencies. The aim is to view security as a combination of technology, organisation and mindset, with a view to greater digital self-determination.
Speakers
- Patrick Antoun, Head of Cybersecurity Consulting, CYBER FOX
- Matthias Lai, Systems Engineer, NewTec GmbH
- Sebastian Felzmann, Head of Innovation, Strategy and Transfer, FZI Research Centre for Information Technology
Moderator
- Roland Kury, wvib
Should companies expand their own R&D or buy in innovation? This panel will discuss whether speed and new business models are best developed within the company itself or through targeted collaboration with start-ups. Using concrete examples,
the speakers will demonstrate when efficiency wins out – and when bold experimentation is the better approach.
Speakers
- Christoph Mittendorf, AI Customer Engineering Team, Google Germany
- Damir Pfau, Director of Development, inomed Medizintechnik GmbH
- Adrian Thoma, Managing Director, Nxtgen Management GmbH
- Leonard Sporleder, Managing Director, machn GmbH
Moderator
- Petra Ruder, wvib
7:00 p.m.: Joint finale on the Haufe Group Stage
Presentation of the Baden-Württemberg Start-up Award and opening of the networking party
The winners of the state-wide "Start-Up BW Elevator Pitches" competition will be honoured at the Baden-Württemberg Start-up Award ceremony.
Immediately afterwards, the networking party will provide an opportunity for exchange, investor discussions and new partnerships.
Our other stages
Haufe Group Stage
This is where strategic acumen meets genuine foresight – experience how thought leaders are shaping markets and making the future a reality today.
uptownBasel Stage
Experience the architecture of innovation first-hand: observe how digital infrastructure creates real impact – and what this means for tomorrow's practice.
AEPIKUR Stage
New markets, new rules: observe change in action and recognise which alliances will define tomorrow's economic reality.
Dr. Falk Pharma Stage
From pitch to scaling: Feel the entrepreneurial spirit live on stage and see how innovative ideas turn into real growth.
