Startup Germany Summit
On September 17, 2024, the Startup Germany Summit of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) stattgefunden. Around 900 guests were on site, including startups and investors, industry experts and politicians. The startup ecosystem from Brandenburg was also represented, including the Economic Development Agency (WFBB), the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) and the Potsdam Science Park, as well as startups such as Mitigant, RAVE.SPACE and DealEngine.
As part of the Digital Hub Initiative, the MediaTech Hub Potsdam was also on site, represented by Andrea Wickleder, Hub Manager, Luise Schröter, Community and Partner Manager, and Olympia Tsakiridou, Project Manager of the MTH Innovator.
The event kicked off with a keynote speech by Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN. He emphasized that startups are actively working on solutions to existing problems and that they are thus preparing the future of the working world. He also had words to say about the current times, which are characterized by crises. Although these crises could be overcome, this could only be achieved by working together. The keynote speech was followed by the talk “Between conflict, technology and a better future: start-ups and resilience” with Robert Habeck and Dr. Wladimir Klitschko, who had traveled from Ukraine for the event.
Another highlight of the Startup Germany Summit was the official presentation of ten new Digital Hubs, which are now part of the Digital Hub Initiative network. The new hubs include the Renewable Energy Hub Lübeck, the two GreenTech Hubs Rostock and Düsseldorf, the DeepTech Hub Berlin, the Smart Manufacturing Hub Bremen, the AgriFood Hub Osnabrück/Hannover, the Life Science Bioeconomy Hub Halle, the Photonics Digital Experience Platforms Hub Jena, the Security Defense Hub Munich and the Artificial Intelligence Hub Saarbrücken. An overview of the new digital hubs can be found on the de:hub website.
In the panel “It’s a Match: Promoting diversity in cooperation with startups”, our Hub Manager Andrea Wickleder spoke about how trust between companies can be built sustainably through a long-term partnership. It also became clear that diversity is essential for progressive entrepreneurial activity.
Following the extensive program, the guests had the opportunity to round off the evening at the “Networking Night” and exchange ideas and network in a relaxed atmosphere.
Netzwerktreffen der Digital Hub Initiative
After the Startup Germany Summit is before the Netzwerktreffen – true to this motto, the third network meeting of the de:hub initiative also took place in Berlin on September 18. The first network meeting with all 25 hubs provided the perfect opportunity to get to know each other and establish initial collaborations.
The day’s program was varied. For example, the BMWK team responsible for onboarding the de:hub initiative introduced itself at the beginning and used this opportunity to present the extensive support services for the hubs. Specific partner companies such as Germany Trade Invest (GTAI) were also presented separately.
The new digital hubs were able to present their visions in intensive workshops and at the so-called “hub dating” and enter into a direct exchange with the other locations. The buddy program in particular should ensure that all new hubs are quickly integrated into the existing structures.
An event of the ESNA – Europe Startup Nations Alliance and a roundtable of the economic development agencies of the federal states took place at the same time as the network meeting. At the end of the network meeting, all groups met for an intensive exchange at the networking lunch.
Impressionen of the Startup Germany Summit and Netzwerktreffen
