HINTERLAND25 IS COMING IN...
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Reclaim – that was the central motto of this year’s Hinterland of Things. The conference in Bielefeld sent out a clear signal: It’s not enough to just talk about crises – we need to see them as a catalyst. For innovation. For collaboration. For optimism.
A reclaim act as it is written in the book. The event brought together people from Mittelstand, the startup scene, politics and the investment world. And they were all united in their conviction: If Germany wants to regain its economic strength, it needs courage, attitude and structure – on both a human and systemic level.
The underlying tone was clear: optimism. Despite all the geopolitical uncertainties, energy bottlenecks and regulatory brakes – the mood was determined. Fridtjof Detzner put it in a nutshell in the opening panel: “We have to lean forward, otherwise we won’t be able to steer.” Brigitte Mohn emphasized: “We have to stay positive – there is no alternative.” And even the global political situation was not only seen as a threat. Frauke Holzmeier: “Nothing works without Donald Trump.” Sebastian Pollok pointed out that the number of applicants in the EU research sector has increased since Trump’s presidency. The appeal: “Learn to see opportunities in everything.” Dominic Gross also welcomed all researchers from the USA in his keynote speech.
In the panel with Tina Dreimann and Florian Nöll, it became clear that venture clienting only works if both sides understand each other. Tina: “Get a bridge builder.” Florian: “There’s not that much adventure in venture clienting. But you need someone to hold your hand.”
Eva Valentina Kempf (Henkelhausen) and Alexandra Kohlmann (ROWE) showed what transformation in Mittelstand looks like in concrete terms. Quick decisions, retrofit solutions with real cost-benefit, sustainability as DNA. Kempf: “We must remain attractive as an employer – and invest in the future.”
© 2024 Hinterland of Things
