Top speakers 2026

Aya Jaff

Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur & Author of *Broligarchy*

From coding to social critique.
Aya Jaff started out as a tech entrepreneur and developer; today she is an author, speaker and one of the most prominent voices on power, capitalism and technology. Known for the ARD programme “How to get rich, Aya?” and bestsellers such as Moneymakers, she makes economics accessible – whilst simultaneously questioning it. Her new book, Broligarchy, takes aim at the tech elite. At Käpsele, Aya will speak about ethics, responsibility and the future of economics and technology. | More about Aya Jaff

Robin Rombach

CEO, Black Forest Labs

Robin Rombach is co-founder and CEO of Black Forest Labs, one of Europe’s most prominent AI companies at present.
The Freiburg-based start-up achieved unicorn status at the end of 2025, officially placing it among the few European tech companies with a valuation in the billions. Building on its research into Stable Diffusion and the FLUX models, Black Forest Labs develops powerful generative AI for images and video, which is used worldwide in creative and industrial applications. | More about Robin Rombach

Joe Kaeser

Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Siemens Energy & Daimler Truck

Joe Kaeser is one of the most influential figures in the German business world: former CEO of Siemens, now Chairman of the Supervisory Boards at Siemens Energy and Daimler Truck, and active in international bodies such as the World Economic Forum. He has transformed the structure of one of Europe’s largest industrial groups and now speaks on leadership, responsibility and the role of business in society and politics. At Käpsele, he shares his views on sustainable markets, stakeholder capitalism and the future of global cooperation. | More about Joe Kaeser

Birte Hackenjos

CEO, Haufe Group

Birte Hackenjos is CEO of the Haufe Group, which supports over a million people in businesses with digital products – from the self-employed to DAX-listed companies. Having held various positions, she has played a key role in shaping the group’s success story and is convinced that change begins in the mind. At the festival, she will speak about transformation, leadership and the role that responsibility and the use of innovative technology play in shaping a successful future. | More about Birte Hackenjos

Christian Miele

General Partner, Headline.com

Christian has been active in the start-up ecosystem since 2010 as a founder, angel investor and venture capitalist. As a General Partner at Headline, he invests in the next generation of European tech companies, including Mistral AI, NUMA, Trawa and Sparetech. He also sits on the supervisory board of Auto1 Group. From 2019 to 2023, he shaped start-up policy in Germany as Chairman of the German Start-up Association. In 2021, he was named ‘Investor of the Year’ by Handelsblatt. | More about Christian Miele

Bonita Grupp

Managing Partner, TRIGEMA W. Grupp KG

Bonita Grupp joined the family business Trigema W. Grupp KG in 2013 as the fourth generation of the family, following her Master’s degree in Economic History at the London School of Economics. She has been running the company alongside her brother Wolfgang Grupp since 2024. As Managing Partner, she is responsible for Human Resources, E-commerce and Marketing. trigema, Germany’s largest manufacturer of sports and leisurewear, employs 1,200 people and manufactures exclusively in Germany – from yarn to finished product. Sales are conducted through its own shops across Germany, the company’s own online shop and via online partners. trigema also offers customised workwear and teamwear. | More about Bonita Grupp

Dr Rebekka Reinhard

Philosopher & Founder, human magazine

Dr Rebekka Reinhard is a philosopher, SPIEGEL bestselling author and a leading voice on the future, innovation and AI. As founder and editor-in-chief of human magazine, she combines philosophical depth with practical business experience. She inspires companies, executives and start-ups to embrace human-centred innovation, digital responsibility and bold thinking in times of change. | More about Dr Rebekka Reinhard

Larissa Holzki

Larissa Holzki, a journalist at Handelsblatt

, is one of Germany’s best-known voices on technology and AI. She observes how new ideas give rise to companies and how power dynamics are shifting in the global tech market. At Handelsblatt, she speaks with figures who are founding companies, investing and making decisions on precisely those developments that are currently gaining momentum. With her podcast Handelsblatt Disrupt, she highlights which trends are taking off, where new players are emerging and what this means for existing companies – live at the Käpsele Innovation Festival. | More about Larissa Holzki

Prof. Dr Rafaela Kraus

Professor, University of the German Armed Forces, Munich

She has established entrepreneurship programmes, a space accelerator and a NATO innovation site – consistently integrating leadership, start-ups and defence innovation. Anyone who hears her speak is not presented with theory, but with a decade’s worth of practical experience distilled into a single message. | More about Prof. Dr Rafaela Kraus

Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut

Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism in Baden-Württemberg

, has been shaping the state’s economic and innovation policy since 2016. With a PhD in business administration, she combines political responsibility with an entrepreneurial perspective and is particularly committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, technology and start-ups.  Through initiatives such as Start-up BW, she supports Baden-Württemberg’s position as one of Europe’s most important centres of innovation. At the festival, she will speak about start-ups, innovation and growth in the state. 

Rebecca Gottwald

COO, Burda Verlag

Rebecca Gottwald is Chief Operating Officer at Burda Verlag. She develops AI where it really needs to work: in large, complex organisations with legacy systems, regulatory requirements and real pressure to perform. For more than a decade, Rebecca has been leading large-scale transformations across various business units at Burda, redesigning operating models and restructuring core processes, whilst guiding the organisation through various phases of change and successfully implementing sustainable transformations. | More about Rebecca Gottwald

Raphael Gielgen

Trend Scout for the Future of Work, Life & Learn at Vitra

, Raphael Gielgen is a trend scout and expert on the future of work at Vitra. Based at his sustainably run farm in Bavaria, he travels the world visiting companies, universities and start-ups to analyse developments relating to work, spaces and organisation. His observations inform trend clusters, market analyses and strategies that rethink the design of work and public spaces. | More about Raphael Gielgen

Dr Ira Stoll

Doctor & Founder, myScribe

Dr Ira Stoll is a qualified doctor and the founder and CEO of myScribe, a start-up based in Mannheim that develops AI-powered software for automated clinical documentation. 
Whilst working as a junior doctor at Heidelberg University Hospital, she experienced first-hand the high level of bureaucracy involved in patient care and, through myScribe, is committed to saving doctors hours of documentation time every day and improving patient care. | More about Dr Ira Stoll

Hendrik Hey

Managing Director, Welt der Wunder Sendebetrieb GmbH

Hendrik Hey, founder of Welt der Wunder, has shaped the TV landscape and established his own channels. Since 2016, he has been a global Web3 pioneer, notably with the MILC platform, which combines blockchain, the metaverse and its own cryptocurrency. He advises companies worldwide on their Web3 transformation and, through Digital Genesis RAIF, operates the first regulated fund for the tokenisation of real-world assets. | More about Hendrik Hey

Prof. Dr Heinz Wiendl

Neurologist, scientist and Managing Director, Prof. Valmed^®

Prof. Dr Heinz Wiendl is a neurologist and an internationally recognised expert in the field of neuroimmunology. In addition to his many years of clinical and scientific work, he combines medical excellence with innovative approaches to research and care.
As co-founder and Chief Medical Advisor of Prof. Valmed^®, he leads a company that offers healthcare professionals rapid access to validated, evidence-based information and supports them in their diagnostic and treatment decisions. | More about Prof. Dr Wiendl

Philippe Gerwill

Digital Healthcare Futurist & Executive Advisor

Philippe Gerwill is a digital visionary and futurist with over 30 years of international leadership experience in speciality chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals.
Today, as an Executive Advisor and Board Member, he advises companies on digital health, AI and strategic innovation, and is committed to promoting a human-centred digital transformation in healthcare as a speaker and lecturer. | More about Philippe Gerwill

Martina Heer

Green Port Project Manager, Swiss Rhine Ports

Martina Heer is Project Manager for Green Port at the Swiss Rhine Ports (Port of Switzerland) in Basel.
She is driving forward sustainable and resilient supply chains at a central logistics hub and, through the Port of Innovation, is responsible for a port-based real-world laboratory for climate-friendly mobility, energy and digital innovation. | More about Martina Heer

Svenja Dannewitz

Founder & CEO, Senara

With Senara, Svenja Dannewitz is building a food tech start-up that is rethinking milk. Her approach: real milk produced through cell cultivation rather than traditional methods. In doing so, she is working on a technology that has the potential to transform an entire industry and open up new avenues in food production. | More about Svenja Dannewitz

Roland Bäurer

Dipl. Ing. (FH), Head of Materials Management, FreiLacke

Roland Bäurer is an authorised signatory, a member of the management board and Head of Materials Management at the Black Forest-based family business FreiLacke. He is responsible for key business areas (purchasing, logistics, order centre) at an internationally active paint and coatings specialist, and his focus lies on international business relations, process digitalisation, risk management and strategic development in the SME sector. | More about FreiLacke

Hans-Jörg Fankhauser

CEO of Fankhauser AG, Fankhauser AG

Hans-Jörg Fankhauser is an architect, site developer and speaker specialising in forward-looking location and innovation projects. For years,
he has been driving forward the development of the uptownBasel Innovation Campus, combining technology, Industry 4.0 and sustainability to create opportunities for new value creation and adaptability in a changing market landscape. | More about Hans-Jörg Fankhauser

Dr Anne Latz

Doctor, Founder, Speaker

Dr Anne Latz is a medical psychotherapist and entrepreneur, as well as one of the leading voices in the fields of longevity and digital medicine in Germany. Drawing on her interdisciplinary background in neuroscience and business administration, she combines evidence-based lifestyle medicine with innovative technologies. As co-founder of HELLO INSIDE, she develops personalised preventive solutions and advocates for a more human, data-driven approach to medicine. | More about Dr Anne Latz

Jakob Wößner

Group Data & AI, Weleda AG

As an expert in Group Data & AI, Jakob Wößner brings his perspective to bear specifically on compliance issues by strengthening digital ethics, data quality and governance as key building blocks of responsible corporate governance. He combines strategic digital and AI expertise with clear standards in data management to meet regulatory and wider requirements in a secure and forward-looking manner. | More about Jakob Wößner

Jonas Schmid

Business Development & Strategy, Autohaus Schmid and Grüne Flotte

Jonas Schmid is a member of the management team at Grüne Flotte and Autohaus Schmid in Waldkirch.
The family-run business specialises in sustainable mobility solutions, with a focus on forward-looking sharing concepts in Freiburg and South Baden, as well as in Bonn and the Rhein-Sieg region. He combines regional roots with the strategic development of modern mobility services. | More about Jonas Schmid

Niko Hems

Longevity Expert & Head of Growth and Sales, YEARS

Niko Hems is Head of Growth and Sales at YEARS and works at the intersection of prevention, data analysis and modern longevity medicine. His focus is on healthy ageing, evidence-based health optimisation and understanding the longevity market. He is also the host of the podcast “Return on Health”, in which he talks to experts about health, performance and longevity. | More about Niko Hems

Kristina Jeromin

Head of the Made in Germany 2030 Initiative

Through the Made in Germany 2030 initiative, Kristina Jeromin facilitates collaboration between the real economy, politics and the financial sector to secure Germany’s future viability. The focus is on mobilising private capital for industrial restructuring and ecological transformation. The expert in sustainable financial strategies creates reliable framework conditions to ensure that economic renewal and social prosperity go hand in hand. | More about Kristina Jeromin

Jennifer Streiter

Head of Sales and Project Management, HMT – Häseler Metall Technik GmbH

Jennifer Streiter is Head of Sales and Project Management at HMT and has 18 years’ experience in industry, particularly in the automotive sector. She spent 17 years working in quality assurance, most recently as Head of Quality Management and QMB. Today, she combines a deep understanding of processes with a market and customer perspective. This background shapes her view of intelligent automation as a decisive factor for quality, efficiency, stable processes and the future viability of companies. | More about Jennifer Streiter

Sven Wiesenthal

Corporate Finance, Bankhaus Metzler

: Sven Wiesenthal is joining the Mergers & Acquisitions advisory team with a clear focus on family offices, foundations and family holding companies. With over twelve years’ experience in investment banking, most recently at Deutsche Bank, he brings extensive expertise in managing complex transactions and industrial client mandates. His work aims to strengthen long-term partnerships between family businesses and investors through strategic excellence and shared values. | More about Sven Wiesenthal

Klaus Lehmann

Partner, High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH

Klaus Lehmann has been with the fund since its inception and has worked as an investment manager for high-tech start-ups since 1999. His focus is on supporting individual portfolio companies in implementing their growth plans and M&A processes, as well as with corporate financing or restructuring. A graduate in business administration, he sits on numerous advisory boards of his portfolio companies and previously represented HTGF on the jury of the Exist Research Transfer Engineering Sciences programme. | More about Klaus Lehmann

Sophie Bayley

Strategy and Organisation, Addmo UG

Sophie Bayley moved from Switzerland to the Black Forest, driven by her belief in industrial value creation, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the people behind them. After working in management consultancy and setting up her own business, she is now responsible for strategy and organisational development at addmo. She is convinced that automation is more than just technology and only works if we involve and empower people, moving beyond buzzwords and innovation hype. | More about Sophie Bayley

Rebecca Saar

Head of Digital Products & Services, S. Siedle & Söhne

Rebecca Saar is Head of Digital Products & Services at S. Siedle & Söhne. She is responsible for the strategy for all digital products, developing future-proof services and business models within a long-established industrial company. In doing so, she is actively driving forward the digital transformation there – from concept to implementation.

She reports on the launch of an AI project at Siedle and on how technological innovation, industrial reality and regulatory requirements come together in a company with more than 275 years of history.” | More about Rebecca Saar

Tobias Tenner

Head of Digital Finance, Association of German Banks

Tobias Tenner is a proven digitalisation expert with a deep understanding of innovation, compliance and modern digital financial architectures – ranging from current payment systems to infrastructural and technological issues.
Drawing on his many years of experience, he combines regulatory expertise with practical perspectives on transformation and offers valuable insights into how AI innovations and compliance requirements can be meaningfully and forward-lookingly integrated. | More about Tobias Tenner

David Duttlinger

Managing Director, August Weckermann KG

140 years of family history, fully digitally controlled production and global market leadership in surface diamond cutting – David Duttlinger represents a long-established company from the Upper Black Forest that demonstrates how profound craftsmanship and a consistent commitment to innovation combine to create world-class results. | More about August Weckermann KG

Prof. Dr Estelle Herlyn

Board Member, Global Energy Solution e.V.

Estelle Herlyn combines economic rationality with a global approach to sustainability – as a mathematician, management consultant and researcher. Her focus is on concrete, economically viable solutions for energy systems and climate protection – developed in collaboration with businesses and policymakers worldwide. | Find out more about Prof. Dr Estelle Herlyn

Chris Veit

Presenter, Köpfe der Szene

Chris Veit is a founder himself and, in his podcast Köpfe der Szene, meets others who are currently building their businesses. What does it take to achieve momentum, growth or scalability?
He discusses these questions and decisions with founders: from the first product right through to the moments when it becomes clear whether a business model is truly viable. | More about Chris Veit

Dr Gero Nordmann

Gero Nordmann, a member of the Group Executive Committee at Glatt Group

, operates at the intersection of innovation, organisation and people. He shapes global transformations and develops leadership cultures that pave the way for the future. His passion lies in effective leadership, building strong teams and driving bold change processes. | Find out more about Dr Gero Nordmann

Prof. Dr Thomas Wendt

Head of the Work-Life Robotics Institute (WLRI) at Offenburg

University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr Thomas Wendt conducts research at the intersection of robotics, additive manufacturing and industrial automation, driving forward precisely the technologies that will shape the production and working world of tomorrow. With the perspective of an engineer and a scientist, he demonstrates how ideas from the laboratory are transformed into real industrial solutions – practical, forward-looking and applicable. | More about Prof. Dr Thomas Wendt

Jérémy Lefint

Research Fellow, ITAS at KIT

Jérémy Lefint investigates why people adopt – or reject – new technologies such as exoskeletons or social robots. After all, even the best innovation is of little use if it fails to find its way into everyday life. His perspective on acceptance and human-technology interaction makes it clear: technology must not only work, it must also win people over. | More about Jérémy Lefint

Jens Müller

Founder & Managing Director, M&P Müller und Partner Sachverständige

Technological progress doesn’t stop at the idea – it must be safe, compliant with standards and feasible in practice. With over 25 years’ experience in mechanical engineering, automation and robotics, he knows exactly what hurdles innovations face on their way into industry – and how to overcome them. | Find out more about Jens Müller

Veit Thurm

Partner and Managing Director, Drees & Sommer

Buildings are no longer merely passive shells – Veit Thurm is actively shaping what lies ahead: cognitive infrastructure, in which buildings perceive their surroundings, interpret situations and interact with robots. His work at the intersection of construction, digitalisation and physical AI demonstrates just how profoundly technological innovation is redefining entire industries. | Find out more about Veit Thurm

Mathias Welteroth

Sales Director, Terra Connect GmbH

With over a decade of experience in senior management roles as COO, CFO and Managing Director, he now brings this strategic and operational expertise to one of the most exciting growth markets: robotics and automation. Anyone looking to find out how companies can position themselves for the future will find him a discussion partner with real depth. | More about Mathias Welteroth

Ruwen Konzelmann

Managing Director, Theben Smart Energy GmbH

Having been part of the Theben family for almost 25 years, he has built up the Smart Energy division from the ground up – from its technical reorientation and BSI certification to the establishment of an independent limited company. Anyone wishing to understand how the energy transition translates into digital infrastructure will find him to be one of the most experienced experts in the field. | More about Ruwen Konzelmann

Patrick Antoun

Head of Cybersecurity Consulting at CYBER FOX

, Patrick Antoun understands how AI is changing the threat landscape – and how businesses need to respond. As a security expert at CYBER FOX, he demonstrates how intelligent technologies can detect cyberattacks at an early stage and how professional cybersecurity can be implemented in a pragmatic and cost-effective manner – particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. | Find out more about Patrick Antoun

Matthias Lai

Matthias Lai, a systems engineer at NewTec GmbH

, knows that cybersecurity does not end at the cloud’s edge – it begins at the machine and sensor level. Using specific best practices and tried-and-tested approaches, he demonstrates how manufacturers can secure their systems from the ground up and what this means for the connected industry of tomorrow. | More about Matthias Lai

Sebastian Felzmann

Head of Innovation, Strategy and Transfer, FZI Research Centre for Information Technology

Sebastian Felzmann bridges the gap between research and practice – as Head of Innovation, Strategy and Transfer at FZI, he ensures that insights from computer science reach businesses, policymakers and society at large. With his background in AI, digital hubs and knowledge transfer, he knows how to turn technology into genuine innovation. | Find out more about Sebastian Felzmann

Christoph Mittendorf

AI Customer Engineering Team, Google Germany

Christoph Mittendorf combines research, engineering expertise and business practice: as an AI leader at Google, he drives the development of GenAI and LLM applications from prototype to product. He holds a PhD in Information Systems, is an experienced keynote speaker – and, on top of that, a three-time Ironman finisher. | Find out more about Christoph Mittendorf

Damir Pfau

Director of Development, inomed Medizintechnik GmbH

inomed develops medical technology to protect the nervous system – and Damir Pfau is driving this development forward. With a background in microsystems engineering from the University of Freiburg, he embodies what high-tech in medicine is all about: precision where it really counts. | Find out more about Damir Pfau

Adrian Thoma

Managing Director, Nxtgen Management GmbH

As a serial entrepreneur and Managing Director of NXTGN, Adrian Thoma bridges the gap between academia, SMEs and start-ups – with the clear aim of turning research findings into scalable businesses. If you want to know how the next generation of SMEs is taking shape, he is the person to talk to. | More about Adrian Thoma

Leonard Sporleder

Leonard Sporleder, Managing Director of machn GmbH

, has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by established companies – and, with machn, has built up an innovation hub in Freiburg that addresses precisely this area: the intersection of core business, market-driven innovation and strategic development. A regional entrepreneur with a clear vision for the future. | Find out more about Leonard Sporleder

Frank Siebke

CFO and Founder, NexWafe

Frank has international experience in the photovoltaic industry and has worked for companies including Sanyo, Shell Solar and RWE Schott Solar. He later moved into venture capital, overseeing cleantech investments in Europe, China and North America. Since 2015, he has been part of the founding team at NexWafe, which develops innovative silicon wafer technologies for the photovoltaic industry. | More about Frank Siebke

Dr Andreas Schwarz

Head of Cabinet, European Commission

Dr. Andreas Schwarz is one of the most experienced voices in Brussels when it comes to Europe’s research, innovation, and startup agenda. Since December 2024, he has been leading the cabinet of EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, focusing on startups, research, and innovation.
At the festival, the focus is on Europe’s startup and scaleup strategy, and the question of how innovation, capital, and regulation can work together to accelerate growth. Is Europe finally ready to move faster? | More about Dr Andreas Schwarz

Andre Hack

Managing Director of SICK China and member of the Corporate Management Board, SICK AG

With over 20 years’ experience in the Chinese market, Andre Hack explores the mechanisms behind ‘China Speed’ and potential opportunities for European industry.
His focus is on the transformation of industrial business models and on rethinking speed, customer proximity and the ability to deliver. | More about Andre Hack

Felix Schönherr

Head of Enterprise and Digital Native Business Cross-Industry Sales Germany, Amazon Web Services

Felix Schoenherr is responsible for the enterprise business in Germany at Amazon Web Services and supports companies across all sectors in their digital transformation. Data sovereignty is a daily reality in this context. Together with his clients, Felix explores how data sovereignty and the capacity for innovation can go hand in hand, rather than holding each other back. | More Felix Schönherr

Ina Schlie

Investor and founder, encourageventures

Ina Schlie bridges the worlds of corporate business, venture capital and the start-up ecosystem. For over 20 years, as Senior Vice President at SAP, she played a key role in shaping the development of one of Europe’s leading technology companies. Today, she contributes her experience to several supervisory boards and supports companies in making groundbreaking strategic decisions. As an investor and co-founder of encourageventures, she also shapes one of the most active networks for start-up financing in Germany – with the aim of sustainably strengthening innovation and entrepreneurial diversity. | More about Ina Schlie

Courtney Bowman

Global Director of Privacy & Civil Liberties Engineering, Palantir Technologies

Courtney Bowman is Global Director of Privacy and Civil Liberties Engineering at Palantir Technologies. His work addresses the convergence of issues at the intersection of policy, law, technology, ethics and social norms. Working extensively with government and commercial partners, Bowman’s team focuses on enabling Palantir to build and deploy data integration, sharing, and analysis software that respects and reinforces privacy, security, and data protection principles, as well as community expectations. In his role, Bowman also works with the wider privacy advocacy community to ensure that concerns regarding new and emerging technologies and data sources are addressed in the ongoing design and implementation of Palantir’s software platforms. Bowman is a frequent commentator on issues surrounding AI ethics, efficacy, and operationalisation. Prior to joining Palantir, Bowman earned degrees in Physics and Philosophy at Stanford University and worked as a quantitative and economic analyst at Google. | More about Courtney Bowman

Dr Andreas Böhm

Founder and CEO, One Data GmbH

Dr Andreas Böhm is the founder and CEO of One Data, a German software company that helps businesses transform fragmented data into reliable, reusable data products. A statistician with a PhD, he founded One Data in Passau in 2013, driven by the conviction that reliable decisions and successful AI applications can only be built on the basis of high-quality, trustworthy data. As a thought leader in the field of data products, he is committed to making data usable, scalable and AI-ready for businesses. In the debate on digital sovereignty, he emphasises that Europe needs its own technological capabilities, data sovereignty and trustworthy data infrastructures in order to be able to use AI responsibly and independently. | More about Dr Andreas Böhm

Dr Leonhard Braun

Project Manager, Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM

Leonhard Braun (née Schmieder) studied physics at the University of Freiburg and the University of Heidelberg, graduating with a Master of Science in 2019. He then began his PhD at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques (IPM) in Freiburg in collaboration with the Chair of Gas Sensing at the Institute for Microsystems Technology (IMTEK) at the University of Freiburg. His research lies at the interface of quantum sensing, nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetometry, with a focus on the development of quantum-sensing-based measurement methods, such as magnetometric flow measurement. The aim of his work is to develop sensitive sensor systems that push the boundaries of measurement technology whilst enabling robust applications in industry and medicine. | More about Dr Leonhard Braun

Lena Hornecker

Start-ups & Scale-ups Manager, Bitkom e. V.

Lena Hornecker oversees national policy issues relating to start-ups and scale-ups at the digital industry association Bitkom. She is committed to ensuring that the perspectives of young growth companies are given greater weight in political decision-making processes and are firmly embedded as an integral part of economic and innovation policy. She gained her first experience in the start-up sector at a Spanish unicorn before working in the Inclusive Entrepreneurship division at the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Having grown up in the Kaiserstuhl region, she studied International Relations and European Economic Policy in Regensburg, Berlin and Vienna. | More about Lena Hornecker

Gerhard Kübler

CEO, Kübler Group – Fritz Kübler GmbH

Gerhard Kübler has transformed a traditional family business into a global technology leader in sensor technology and automation. Whether in wind turbines, robots or rollercoasters around the world, his solutions ensure precise movements and secure data transfer under the most extreme conditions. He believes in radically questioning existing approaches in order to actively help shape the industry of the future through the combination of mechatronics and digital services. | More about the Kübler Group

Dr Uwe Herberth

CTO and Director of Innovation & Technology at Litef

. He is responsible for innovation at one of Freiburg’s most precision-focused technology companies – navigation systems that operate worldwide under the toughest conditions. As an engineer with a PhD and an MBA, he consistently combines technological development with leadership. | Find out more about Dr Uwe Herberth

Dr Sven J. Körner

Vice President Evangelist, Aleph Alpha

Dr Sven J. Körner is one of the leading voices advocating for sovereign AI in Europe. He obtained his PhD in Computer Science from KIT and has nearly two decades of experience in the fields of AI, natural language processing and semantic systems. Prior to joining Aleph Alpha, he was co-founder and CEO of thingsTHINKING and was honoured as an “AI Champion Baden-Württemberg”. As a sought-after keynote speaker, he gives talks internationally on practical AI applications, digital sovereignty and the future of intelligent systems. | More about Dr Sven J. Körner

Dr Valerie Lang

Researcher, CERN, University of Freiburg

At the world’s largest particle accelerator, Valerie Lang directs high-energy beams to unravel the mysteries of dark matter. She deliberately pushes intellectual boundaries and leads teams through complex hardware projects where uncharted technical territory demands precision and courage. Her work is living proof that cutting-edge research requires the courage to take risks and absolute determination. | More about Dr Valerie Lang

Ralf Preu

Head of the Photovoltaics Research Division at Fraunhofer ISE

, Ralf Preu has been conducting research for over 30 years at Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, one of the world’s largest solar research institutes with around 1,300 staff. His expertise lies in the development of production technologies for the photovoltaics industry. Since 2011, he has headed the Photovoltaics Research Division and also lectures at the University of Freiburg. | More about Ralf Preu

Dr Manuel Yguel

CEO, Kübler Group – Fritz Kübler GmbH

Manuel Yguel is a computer scientist specialising in robotics and autonomous systems at the University of Strasbourg. He obtained his PhD in computer science from Grenoble INP and focuses in particular on navigation, multi-scale methods, and the processing of complex sensor data in robotic applications. Alongside his academic work, he is also involved in the development of robotic systems and entrepreneurial projects, bridging the gap between research and practical applications in intelligent technologies. | More about Dr Manuel Yguel

Ralf Marczoch

CEO, mata solutions GmbH

Ralf Marczoch founded the Hamburg-based consultancy firm “mata solutions gmbh” in 2006. A graduate in mathematics, he has focused his consultancy work on emergency and crisis management (particularly in the KRITIS sector) since 2007. He combines this with his extensive experience in the fields of IT and information security. Through his focused implementation approach – starting with an emergency/crisis management simulation – he delivers immediate added value for his clients. | More about Ralf Marczoch

Fanny Giannou

Founder and CEO, Alithea Biotechnology

Fanny Giannou is building Alithea Bio, a biotech company at the intersection of AI, data and cancer immunotherapy. With its HLA-Compass platform, the company is developing technologies designed to accelerate the development of personalised immunotherapies. Before founding the company, Fanny spent over 15 years in international strategy and management roles and was awarded the Women TechEU Deep Tech Prize in 2024. Fanny holds an EMBA from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and ETH Zurich. Today, Alithea Bio is one of the fastest-growing and most high-profile AI health start-ups in south-west Germany and has been recognised, among other accolades, as a finalist in the nationwide de:hub AI Award 2025 and as an AI Champion of Baden-Württemberg. | More about Fanny Giannou

Jochen Rentsch

Jochen Rentsch, co-founder of Nexus GreenTech

, worked at Fraunhofer ISE from 2001 to 2026, specialising in the development of silicon solar cells and production technologies. As Head of Technology Transfer, he systematically drove forward the translation of research findings into industrial applications and collaboration with partners from industry. His focus was on scaling up efficient, cost-effective and industrially robust PV technologies. In early 2026, he co-founded and became Managing Director of Nexus GreenTech, a company specialising in business consulting in the field of renewable energy technologies. Nexus GreenTech supports companies and investors with strategy, technology selection and the scaling of sustainable energy solutions and value chains. | More about Jochen Rentsch

Dr Nikolaus Raupp

Partner, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)

Nik Raupp completed his PhD on venture capital financing for biotech companies in Japan and has gained international experience in sustainable innovation, the circular economy and renewable raw materials. After working in consulting, biotechnology and at BASF in Hong Kong, he joined the HTGF Life Sciences team in 2021. He has been a partner there since January 2026. | More about Dr Nikolaus Raupp

Dr Martin Schüttler

CTO and founder of CorTec GmbH

, Martin Schüttler is spearheading the development and production of an electronic brain implant (brain-computer interface, BCI) that opens up new possibilities for neurotherapies and enables technology to be controlled by thought. | Find out more about Dr Martin Schüttler

Dr Christian Reinhardt

Director of Human Risk Management at SoSafe

, Dr Christian Reinhardt is a sports psychologist, author, international speaker and former managing director of the Saxony-Anhalt Football Association. As an expert in human behaviour, in his role as Director of Human Risk Management at SoSafe he analyses how cybercriminals use psychological mechanisms to manipulate us and how we can use psychology to promote safe behaviour. | More about Dr Christian Reinhardt

Kuan-Lun Lee

Co-CEO, SineFine

Lee Kuan-Lun is a leading expert and entrepreneur who acts as a bridge between China and Germany in the fields of industrial digitalisation and renewable energy. Following roles at Ericsson, Alcatel, Forcam China and as CTO of a German-Chinese innovation institute, he founded SineFine Technology GmbH in Aachen in 2025. There, he drives innovation in energy storage and sustainable energy supply. | More about Kuan-Lun Lee

Dr Jochen Kopitzke

CEO and Owner, AEPIKUR GmbH

Dr Jochen Kopitzke is an entrepreneur, investor and CEO specialising in innovation, growth and succession planning. Since 2012, he has successfully led a manufacturing company as managing director, overseeing M&A projects and post-merger integrations, amongst other responsibilities. Since January 2026, he has been devoting his time to his succession planning institute, Aepikur, and is driving forward investments, business succession, transformation and future-oriented business models with practical expertise. | More about Dr Jochen Kopitzke

Philipp Steiert & Dennis Vonderstraß

Philipp Steiert and Dennis Vonderstraß, Managing Directors of Steiert GmbH

, demonstrate how to take over a long-established business, develop it further and scale it up in record time, transforming it into a modern craft enterprise. From 10 to 76 employees, new business areas, extensive digitalisation, service excellence, clear processes, modern leadership and talent acquisition – yet still family-oriented, approachable and appreciative: they talk about courage, pace and the craft of the future. | More about Philipp Steiert and Dennis Vonderstraß

Ayimire Dilimulati

Materials Strategy & Improvement Analyst, Philips Healthcare

Ayimire Dilimulati works at the intersection of healthcare, innovation and digital transformation. Drawing on her international experience, she brings fresh perspectives on modern care structures and digital developments in the healthcare sector, and focuses on the further development of healthcare systems undergoing transformation. | More about Ayimire Dilimulati

Fabiola Hartung-Linz

Business Development Manager, MedTech, M&M Software

Fabiola Hartung-Linz has over 35 years’ sales experience, including around 15 years in medical technology. Her international career has taken her through industrial companies in the automotive and electronics sectors, with posts in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Today, her focus is on regulatory and clinical affairs consulting, quality management, medical software and cybersecurity, as well as digitalisation services in the healthcare sector. She also supports the development of new consultancy services and mentors start-ups in the healthcare sector. | More about Fabiola Hartung-Linz

Markus Hofmann

Head of Digital Content (Deputy Editor-in-Chief), Badische Zeitung

How can relevant regional journalism be financed in the age of digitalization and AI? This is the question that drives Markus Hofmann. As a member of the editorial board of the Badische Zeitung, he is responsible for the newspaper’s digital business and plays a key role in its digital transformation, as well as in the further development of its digital strategy and digital product portfolio. | More about Markus Hofmann

Florian Kech

Policy Officer, Southern Upper Rhine Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Florian Kech is a political advisor at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Southern Upper Rhine and host of the podcast “BOSS STORYS”, which launched in January 2026 and tells the success stories of small and medium-sized enterprises. Prior to this, the political scientist, who holds a PhD, worked as a journalist for more than twenty years and was, among other roles, an editor and columnist at the Badische Zeitung and at Funkhaus Freiburg. In 2024, he was awarded the “European Newspaper Award” for the podcast “BZ am Ohr”, and in 2008 he received the LFK State Media Prize. | More about Florian Kech