Mobility industry founders meet in Braunschweig Curiosity and courage as the key to entrepreneurial success
Joint press release
by the Niedersachsen Automotive Research Centre and Niedersachsen.next Startup
“Innovation starts in our heads”: Prof. Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt inspired the participants of this year’s Mobility Startup Day on 2 December with his lecture on the “spirit of the future”. Around 180 representatives from the fields of business, politics, science and research attended the fourth Mobility Startup Day at the Niedersachsen Automotive Research Centre (NFF) in Braunschweig on Monday.
The Mobility Startup Day has established itself as one of the key events for the future of mobility in Niedersachen. This platform enables the mobility and startup ecosystem in Niedersachsen to present and discuss innovative approaches, groundbreaking technologies and visionary business ideas for the mobility of tomorrow.
“The mobility industry in Braunschweig has a long tradition and connects research institutions, global corporations and small and medium-sized companies in a closely networked ecosystem. Given the current challenges facing the automotive industry, this unique know-how and innovative strength should not be underestimated, because with the right support there is great potential for development. TU Braunschweig with its research focus on mobility supports founders with an outstanding research infrastructure and networking opportunities for the development of innovative business ideas,” emphasised TU President Angela Ittel, also underlining the enormous importance of this topic and this event format in her welcoming speech.
Varied programme offered extensive insights into the international start-up scene
Prof. Pferdt, the first and former “Chief Innovation Evangelist” at Google, motivated the participants to change their perspectives, recognise opportunities and actively shape the future. “With a radically positive mindset, we can actively drive change,” emphasised the author of the book “What’s Next Is Now: How to Live Future Ready”, because, according to Pferdt, the future is not something that just happens. Rather, it is (re)invented by each person time and time again.
Dr Sven Beiker, a mobility expert Silicon Valley, explained how established car manufacturers and tech start-ups are driving new technologies such as autonomous driving and electric mobility. He emphasised that Niedersachsen could learn from Silicon Valley’s innovative strength without losing sight of its own strengths, such as engineering skills and local resources.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) gave an insight into the diverse tasks of the DLR. She emphasised the importance of sustainable aviation, future-oriented mobility concepts and the promotion of innovation through start-ups.
In a panel discussion on the question “What influence do start-ups have on the German mobility industry?”, notable guests such as Olaf Lies, Niedersachsen’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitisation, Jörn Bertram (Managing Director of Tönnjes International Group GmbH), Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel (President of TU Braunschweig), Kristina Nikolaus (CEO of OKAPI:Orbits) and Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt highlighted the crucial role of start-ups as drivers of innovation. It became clear that the strong start-up scene is a pillar of economic development in the mobility and automotive industry in Niedersachsen.
The event was rounded off by the regional impulses of the Niedersachsen transformation networks, which highlighted possible future scenarios for Niedersachsen and emphasised the opportunities of change. The pitches/short presentations of the partner start-ups, which showcased successful collaborations such as those between established companies in the automotive industry and young, up-and-coming companies, also emphasised that we are stronger together.
A meeting spot for inspiration, innovation and networking
The Mobility Startup Day once again offered plenty of opportunities to make valuable contacts and be inspired by the most innovative ideas in the industry. Participants experienced an event that not only strengthened the mobility industry, but also the entire start-up scene in Niedersachsen. Concrete added value was created: Employees were recruited and valuable business relationships were established. The event made it clear that Niedersachsen offers excellent conditions for shaping the mobility of the future in a substainable way. With its clear focus on a change of perspective – from solving problems to recognising and seizing opportunities – the Mobility Startup Day provided new impetus.
The Mobility Startup Day is a joint project of Niedersachsen.next Startup and Niedersachsen.next Automotive Agency. In cooperation with the Niedersachsen Automotive Research Centre (NFF) and TU Braunschweig, the event took place in Braunschweig for the first time. The organisation of the Mobility Startup Day at different locations in Niedersachsen, such as Wolfsburg, Hildesheim and Osnabrück, and this year in Braunschweig, shows how decentralised structures and regional diversity can promote innovation.