{"id":15698,"date":"2026-06-21T20:51:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T20:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/?p=15698"},"modified":"2026-06-22T13:43:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:43:22","slug":"hinterland-of-things-conference-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/2026\/06\/21\/hinterland-of-things-conference-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Hinterland of Things Conference 2026 &#8211; And Action: When Technology Meets Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"15698\" class=\"elementor elementor-15698\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e669fe4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6e669fe4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c52bdd3 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4c52bdd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">HINTERLAND OF THINGS CONFERENCE 2026 - AND ACTION: WHEN TECHNOLOGY MEETS DRIVE<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca98259 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ca98259\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6548e66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6548e66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bielefeld, June 18, 2026 \u2013 For the eighth time, the Hinterland of Things conference in Bielefeld brought together over 2,000 innovators and trendsetters from Germany\u2019s technology scene and business community. Under the motto \u201cand ACTION,\u201d the Bielefeld Stadthalle once again served as a platform for the issues currently shaping Germany and Europe: sovereignty, capital, transformation, DeepTech\u2014and the question of who will lead the next wave of growth.<\/p><p>Those sitting on the Hinterland Stage didn\u2019t hear lengthy analyses of everything that\u2019s going wrong. Instead, the focus was on what needs to be done now. The answers were clear, concrete, and not always comfortable.<\/p><p>To bring the day\u2019s key themes to life, we\u2019ve highlighted a few soundbites from the panel discussions and interviews on stage.<\/p><p><strong>6 topics that set the tone:<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52c6be3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"52c6be3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4ae8e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a4ae8e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/1 EUROPE HAS THE MONEY, BUT LACKS THE WILL<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f57e32f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f57e32f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ren\u00e9 Obermann, Managing Director at Warburg Pincus and former CEO of Deutsche Telekom, delivered the most pointed opening remarks of the day. In his keynote address on the fundamental elements of European sovereignty, he left no room for interpretation: \u201cFor decades, we in Europe have been shooting ourselves in the foot through risk aversion and overregulation.\u201d He continued: \u201cEurope has the money, the industry, and the technology to free itself from these dangerous dependencies. What we lack is the collective social and political will\u2014and the resolve\u2014to move beyond military parochialism in Paris, Berlin, and elsewhere in Europe.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Obermann made it clear: \u201cSovereignty does not mean self-sufficiency. That is a major misunderstanding. Self-sufficiency would be naive and harmful.\u201d What is needed, according to Obermann, is an integrated European strategy with capital that actually flows into key technologies and a political will that transcends national borders.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfe4336 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bfe4336\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-999c12e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"999c12e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00252-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15708\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00252-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00252-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00252-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9733467 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9733467\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_08673-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15710\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_08673-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_08673-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_08673-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4567cf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a4567cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2bf5f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2bf5f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Isabel Knauf added a small-business perspective to the discussion in an interview with Petra Gessner (FAZ). Her conclusion: Germany\u2019s strength lies in its adaptability\u2014but only if that adaptability is actually put to use. \u201cUsing AI doesn\u2019t just mean further digitization; it means redefining all processes.\u201d And with regard to geopolitical shifts: \u201cIn the medium term, we will no longer be able to export cars to America. In the medium term, we will no longer be able to ship cars to China. And then we\u2019ll have to consider: What does that mean for our structures in Germany?\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38a38eb e-con-full e-grid e-con e-child\" data-id=\"38a38eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-308360b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"308360b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Stefan Klebert, CEO of GEA\u2014a company that worked its way up to the DAX after seven consecutive profit warnings\u2014summed up his approach, which set the tone for the entire day: \u201cYou always have to ask yourself: What\u2019s coming tomorrow, what\u2019s coming the day after tomorrow, and what do I need to do? And then you have to be willing to just get things done quickly.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e4bd67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6e4bd67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09100-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15625\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09100-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09100-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09100-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83a4d6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"83a4d6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/2 GROWTH AGENDA: POLITICS, CAPITAL, AND INDUSTRY MUST WORK TOGETHER TO DELIVER<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-690b5e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"690b5e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ddf956 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ddf956\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There was a consensus that Germany must return to a path of growth after years of recession and stagnation. The question was: Who needs to deliver\u2014and how? In the panel discussion \u201cThe Growth Agenda,\u201d Sigrid Nikutta, former head of Deutsche Bahn Cargo; Romy Schnelle from High-Tech Gr\u00fcnderfonds (HTGF); and Annika von Mutius from Empion joined Solveig Rathenow (Business Insider) to discuss the specific obstacles.<br \/><br \/>Nikutta\u2019s assessment was clear: \u201cI believe that our very restrictive regulatory framework, coupled with a certain lack of courage and a lack of trust\u2014those are the biggest factors preventing us from growing.\u201d Von Mutius, who serves on the advisory boards of both the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Digital Affairs, described the day-to-day reality of being a founder: \u201cWe face enormous bureaucratic hurdles. There are so many complex issues, but the real challenge from an entrepreneur\u2019s perspective is the labor market and labor laws.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Romy Schnelle from HTGF cited a sobering statistic: 50 percent of all funding in the High-Tech Gr\u00fcnderfonds portfolio\u2014800 companies\u2014comes from investors in the U.S. or Asia. Her call to action: \u201cGermany could grow faster if we focused on what matters most, had less parochialism, worked together more, reduced bureaucracy, attracted more capital, and lowered energy costs.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Capital was also the central theme of the panel \u201cWhere Capital Flows Next.\u201d Investors Janna Ensthaler, known from the TV show \u201cDie H\u00f6hle der L\u00f6wen,\u201d Florian Heinemann from Project A, and Daria Saharova from the World Fund, together with Sarah Heuberger (Manager Magazin), analyzed the state of the European tech ecosystem. Ensthaler\u2019s assessment was unambiguous: \u201cHere, you can be a big fish in a small pond. In \u201921, the European tech market was one-third the size of the American one; today, the European market is still only one-fifth. So in terms of size and momentum, we\u2019re already falling far behind.\u201d And regarding the societal dimension: \u201cThat\u2019s a mistake, because we\u2019re no longer creating the world\u2019s future industries\u2014all because of this penny-pinching mentality.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81c2c7a e-con-full e-grid e-con e-child\" data-id=\"81c2c7a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30648da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30648da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Florian Heinemann articulated the strategic implication: \u201cThe illusion that we have a chance\u2014so to speak\u2014to defend ourselves there and somehow maintain our standard of living here without our own capabilities along the entire value chain\u2014that, I believe, is naive.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-540df7a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"540df7a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09377-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15714\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09377-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09377-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09377-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3a0c2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e3a0c2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/3 TRANSFORMATION IS NOT AN OPTION. IT IS A DUTY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c874e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c874e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Thomas Rabe, CEO of Bertelsmann since 2012, shared insights in a conversation with Isabell K\u00f6rner about his 15 years of leadership at a 190-year-old corporation. His core message was as simple as it was consistent: \u201cStrategy is execution.\u201d Transformation requires staying power: \u201cYou need that staying power when you\u2019re operating in an entrepreneurial way. Things don\u2019t happen overnight.\u201d As part of the \u201cBoost\u201d program, Bertelsmann has invested over 10 billion euros in growth\u2014and increased the share of U.S. revenue from 14 to 30 percent, according to Rabe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5cb3ea e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b5cb3ea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc90832 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bc90832\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00030-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15716\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00030-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00030-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_00030-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d42b68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3d42b68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09157-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15718\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09157-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09157-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09157-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a363129 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a363129\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Using GEA as an example, Stefan Klebert illustrated what industrial transformation actually means: The company has already reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 260 percent compared to 2019 and is currently investing about three times its depreciation expenses, according to Klebert. \u201cA company cannot be a family. A company is obligated to deliver top performance, and only when a company delivers top performance will it survive and remain viable.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7630477 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7630477\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70445a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70445a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/4 STARTUPS MEET SMALL BUSINESSES: WHEN TWO WORLDS NEED EACH OTHER<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ae4a37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ae4a37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As a conference that deliberately positioned itself \u201cat the heart of Germany\u2019s SME sector,\u201d collaboration between startups and established companies was a key topic\u2014and showed real progress compared to previous years: \u201cWhether\u201d is no longer the question, but rather \u201chow.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Carsten Maschmeyer, who has invested in over 150 technology startups through his venture capital funds, summed up the dynamic succinctly: \u201cStartups and SMEs are a better fit than large corporations and startups.\u201d And regarding the pace required: \u201cThe global currency of the future in the economy is speed.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Eduard Richard D\u00f6rrenberg, managing director of the Dr. Wolff Group, demonstrated what this looks like in practice during his keynote address. The Bielefeld-based family-owned company has already deeply integrated AI into its marketing processes: \u201cThe [TV] commercial is entirely AI-generated. It was produced in one week, at roughly one-fifth to one-tenth of the normal cost,\u201d said D\u00f6rrenberg. The vision behind this is clear: \u201cWe have a clear vision that we will become a real-time, data-driven company relatively quickly.\u201d In the subsequent panel discussion, \u201cBeyond the Buzzword,\u201d D\u00f6rrenberg joined Tobias Kemkes, founder of Langdock; Dennis Cutraro, founder of Unfuture; and Maximilian Sachse (FAZ) to discuss their specific partnership, joint projects, and how AI is actually being implemented in small and medium-sized enterprises\u2014from concrete use cases and organizational prerequisites to the biggest practical hurdles.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cbb592 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5cbb592\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eed59d e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0eed59d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b10815 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3b10815\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_02977-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15720\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_02977-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_02977-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_02977-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c7210b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2c7210b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09505-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15615\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09505-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09505-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_09505-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-383b653 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"383b653\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The B\u00f6llhoff Group provided another example during the panel discussion \u201cFamily Business, Startup Mindset\u201d together with Thorsten Giersch (Markt &amp; Mittelstand). The 150-year-old family business, led by Wilhelm B\u00f6llhoff, is focusing on what Rainer Berak of A11 calls \u201crekurbation\u201d: disruptively reimagining its own business model before someone else does. With the spin-off of GetSpecialFastners GmbH, B\u00f6llhoff has created an agile unit that processes requests for specialty items\u2014previously a process that took weeks\u2014in just a few hours. Kevin Jostmeyer-Zelles, managing director of the new unit, summed up the logic behind it: \u201cI\u2019d also like to sell screws, but I\u2019m taking a different approach to get there.\u201d And Berak added a piece of advice that captures the mindset of the day: \u201cCreate your competitor\u2019s worst nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f9f196 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9f9f196\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/5 DEEPTECH: EUROPE HAS A CHANCE, BUT ONLY IF IT SEIZES IT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da04fe3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da04fe3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>During the \u201cDeepTech Breakthroughs\u201d panel discussion, Maximilian Oligschl\u00e4ger of ERC Systems and Matthias Lehna of Quantum Systems, in conversation with Luca Carraciolo (t3n), made it clear that Europe\u2019s next major companies will come from hardware, not software. Lehna\u2019s assessment: \u201cI believe AI has also shown that some business cases based solely on software simply don\u2019t work anymore.\u201d Oligschl\u00e4ger added a historical observation: \u201cI don\u2019t think there has been a single company in Europe over the past fifty years that was even close to being worth a hundred billion. And I believe that if we do have such companies, they will be in the deep tech sector.\u201d<br \/><br \/>Quantum Systems expects revenue of 27 million euros this year, according to Lehna, and is producing 10,000 drones in Germany through its joint venture, Quantum Frontline Industries\u2014an example of how the industrialization of research results is possible when the will is there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec59513 e-con-full e-grid e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ec59513\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70c18b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"70c18b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01473-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15722\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01473-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01473-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01473-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e7027c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2e7027c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01269-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15724\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01269-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01269-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_01269-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f73133f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f73133f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The panel \u201cFinancing Energy Sovereignty,\u201d featuring Armin Reinartz of Proxima Fusion, Dr. Sarah Theinert of UVC Partners, and Frederike Holewik (Politico), highlighted just how deep the capital gap is for such projects. Theinert articulated the structural problem: \u201cIt\u2019s not the science, it\u2019s not the people doing the work\u2014it\u2019s the part of the supply chain that\u2019s supposed to eventually finance growth. And that\u2019s where we have a problem, because in the end an American or Chinese investor steps in, since we\u2019re not able to mobilize enough growth capital.\u201d Reinartz summed up the strategic dimension for himself: \u201cIf Germany wants affordable baseload power that always works\u2014whether the sun is shining or the Strait of Hormuz is closed\u2014then fusion is the only viable alternative.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78cb9c7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"78cb9c7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5ebc26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c5ebc26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/6 REASONS IN THE AGE OF AI: IT'S NEVER BEEN SO PROMISING<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a745223 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a745223\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ulrich Prediger, founder of JobRad\u2014a company that has redefined the bicycle industry\u2014wrapped up the Hinterland Stage. Prediger, who is currently launching his next venture, was convinced: \u201cFor the first time, we as founders have the opportunity to scale not through people, but through AI. And existing companies can\u2019t do that\u2014for data protection reasons, compliance, and who knows what else. But as a startup, without all that legacy baggage, I have an incredible opportunity to do a whole lot with AI\u2014and you should take advantage of that.\u201d<br \/>His advice to founders: \u201cYou have to be 100% convinced. You actually have to be a little naive, because otherwise you won\u2019t take the risk.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b07aad elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9b07aad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\/\/Osphim Named the Most Innovative Startup in North Rhine-Westphalia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a816c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a816c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For the third time, the OUT OF THE BOX.NRW Award\u2014initiated by the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs\u2014held its finals on the Hinterland Stage. The award honors the most innovative digital startups from North Rhine-Westphalia and is endowed with 50,000 euros by NRW.BANK. From numerous applications across all of North Rhine-Westphalia, the TOP26 were first selected, followed by the TOP10, who pitched live to the jury and audience in the finals.<br \/><br \/>Osphim took first place with an AI-powered solution for plastics manufacturing: The startup uses AI to stabilize manufacturing processes, thereby reducing scrap, material consumption, and reliance on manual expertise. Second place went to Kaarlo, which makes psychosomatic care digital, scalable, and yet human-centered\u2014thereby addressing one of the most pressing gaps in the German healthcare system. Third place went to ForesAIght, which is building Europe\u2019s \u201cinvisible\u201d AI forecasting intelligence and transforming uncertainty into real-time decisions along supply chains.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec17e1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ec17e1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_04460-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-15682\" alt=\"OOTB Final 2026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_04460-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_04460-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JulianHukePhotography-A1_04460-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-395e476 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"395e476\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cNorth Rhine-Westphalia is a hub for startups\u2014and that\u2019s a reason to celebrate! Digital solutions and artificial intelligence are not ends in themselves: When implemented correctly, they can make our everyday lives more sustainable, simpler, and better. The startups at OUT OF THE BOX.NRW are showing how this can be achieved\u2014with creative business ideas, bold decisions, and a commitment to actively shaping the future of our state. The competition highlights the enormous creative potential in NRW\u2014a real asset for a competitive and resilient economy. Congratulations to all the winning teams,\u201d said Deputy Minister-President and NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur.<br \/><br \/>Dominik Gross, Managing Director of the Founders Foundation and host of the conference, summed up the spirit of the day: \u201cThe 8th Hinterland of Things has shown that Germany and Europe know the answers. What matters now is the courage to put them into practice.\u201d<br \/><br \/>The next Hinterland of Things conference will take place on June 10, 2027.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0be65b0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0be65b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57364b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57364b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>PRESSEKONTAKT<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8df10d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8df10d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anna-Luisa Korte<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Director Brand &amp; Content<br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founders Foundation gGmbH<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"mailto:anna@foundersfoundation.de\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anna@foundersfoundation.de<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For the eighth time, the Hinterland of Things conference in Bielefeld brought together over 2,000 innovators and trendsetters from Germany\u2019s technology scene and business community. Under the theme \u201cand ACTION,\u201d the Stadthalle Bielefeld once again served as a platform for the issues currently shaping Germany and Europe: sovereignty, capital, transformation, DeepTech\u2014and the question of who will lead the next wave of growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-15698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hinterland-of-things","tag-hinterland-of-things-konferenz-2026"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15698"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15698\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15860,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15698\/revisions\/15860"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15698"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15698"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hinterlandofthings.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}