In their DLD25 conversation, Philipp Freise (KKR) and Sebastian Dettmers (CEO of StepStone) explore the challenges and opportunities that will determine Europe’s future, particularly in Germany.
Freise opens by addressing the skepticism around investing in Germany, given its economic stagnation and demographic decline. “Nobody in America looks up to Germany right now”, he admits, but he remains optimistic about untapped potential in sectors like aerospace and defense.
“Right now, the pessimism that we see here does not really reflect the substance that we have in this country”, Freise argues.
Dettmers highlights the dual issues of productivity and demography, pointing out that Germany’s workforce is set to shrink by 5 million in the next decade. “If you want to grow a business, the key question is: how do I grow with fewer people?”, he says, emphasizing the necessity of AI and automation for future growth.
Watch the video to find out why both speakers agree that crises often act as catalysts for innovation, which structural reforms are necessary, and where increased private investment is particularly important.
