How can Germany unlock its full innovation potential? This DLD25 session brings together politician Franziska Brantner (co-leader of Alliance 90/The Greens) and Brainlab founder Stefan Vilsmeier for a candid discussion on strengthening Germany’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The conversation explores how to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, attract international talent, and mobilize more capital for startups.
Reflecting on Munich’s success in building one of Europe’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems, Vilsmeier emphasizes that “entrepreneurship is always about people”, and Munich is “a place with the best mix of people.” Brantner agrees. “We have a really wonderful ecosystem in Munich”, she says, but notes that other German regions offer plenty of innovation potential as well.
That’s why the German government created its lighthouse project Startup Factories, Brantner says. “It’s actually very little money that we put in from the state side, because a lot of the capital comes from the private sector”, she notes. “And I hope we will be able to have a lot of UnternehmerTUMs across Germany, and to be as productive, creative, innovative as this region is.”
Stefan Vilsmeier shares his perspective as an entrepreneur, addressing issues like retaining international talent, simplifying visa processes, and fostering a culture of risk-taking.
When he made his recent decision public to leave his CEO position to lead a smaller spinoff, he noticed a stark contrast in reactions, Vilsmeier says. “My American colleagues will say, ‘Great, congratulations, how exciting!’ And the European colleagues did not understand.”
Brantner agrees that this reflects a deeper cultural challenge. Germany’s mentality that “everything that is not allowed is forbidden” clashes with the entrepreneurial mindset of “everything that is not forbidden is allowed”, she acknowledges.
“I think the main mental change we need to get, not just in companies, but in general, is to be ready to take more risks”, Brantner says.
Watch the video for more insights and to get an unusually candid look at the opportunities and obstacles facing German entrepreneurs.
