TECHimpulse
The TECHimpulse module offers thematically relevant and industry-specific workshops, sessions and impulse lectures. The respective focal points are carried out jointly and in coordination with the local partners. In particular, the module aims to provide impulses in the fields of Women in Tech, Eco-Friendliness & Sustainability, Team-Building, Leadership Skills, Recruiting and other company-relevant areas.
Women in Digital: Stories of Success and Innovation
The September edition of TECHimpulse titled “Women in Digital: Stories of success and innovation”, brought together entrepreneurs from Egypt, Kenya and Germany to share their experiences, challenges and successes as women in the TECH and IT industry.
Basant Helmi, founder of Woman in Business, opened the discussion with a powerful appeal to the importance of networking: "It's not enough to just run a good business. You have to build networks and connect with other women right from the start. The influence of these networks is enormous." She also emphasized that cooperation between women from different countries, such as Egypt, Germany and Senegal, is a valuable resource.
Marwa Soudi, Egyptian entrepreneur and digital transformation expert, shared this opinion. She pointed out the structural challenges that women face, be it care work or outdated mindsets, and stated: "Innovation is not just a question of technology, but also of the people who use it. We need to ensure that women are involved in this process to develop the best solutions." She emphasized the importance of supporting women in the digital transformation and giving them the tools to succeed.
"There are still many prejudices that prevent women from succeeding in technical professions," emphasized Fibi Nguyen, founder and CEO of Aimino Tech. "We need to actively break down these stereotypes and show that women are equally capable of developing innovative solutions." She encouraged the participants to support each other and celebrate their successes.
Judy Ngure, founder of WoSec Kenya, pointed out that in addition to the almost universal problems, there are also country-specific challenges that women have to face. For example, access to education, infrastructure or technology in the various African countries is different and sometimes difficult. She therefore called for the active promotion of women in the IT sector and especially in cyber security. She emphasized the need for visibility and role models: "It is crucial that we tell stories of successful women in technology. When young women see that it is possible to be successful in this industry, they are encouraged to follow their own path”.
It was precisely this visibility that was close to the hearts of all the speakers. Role models strengthen the role of women in the digital world. Basant summed it up: "Look at how many successful businesswomen there are in this field and talk about them." A first step was taken with this TECHimpulse event.
The next TECHimpulse online event is about "Academic-Industry Partnerships" and will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
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Corporate Innovation Programs: Igniting Entrepreneurial Success
"Innovation is created through collaboration between industry, universities and start-ups," says Alexander Kepka, Senior Research and Innovation Ecosystem Manager at Siemens AG. In our short online format TECHimpulse in mid-June 2024, we talked about what this collaboration could look like. Alongside Alexander Kepka, we discussed innovation strategies and the role of start-ups in corporate ecosystems with Alexander Schwerdt from the Plug and Play Tech Center and Dr. Niels Feldmann, Head of the Manager Service Design Thinking/SUGAR program at KIT.
Alexander Schwerdt presented Plug and Play as an open innovation platform that is internationally active with numerous partners and investments. "We are the matchmaker between industry and early stage start-ups," emphasized Alexander. Plug and Play's approach helps bring together creative ideas and partners from different industries. "Suitable start-ups are brought together with the right people and resources to work together on solutions." Plug and Play has themed locations all over the world, including Africa.
Although Siemens is not yet represented on the African continent, Alexander Kepka does not rule out future involvement. There are growing markets and enormous potential for innovation. "I see intellectual and personal growth potential," is his assessment. Alexander Kepka presented Siemens' strategic research and innovation program. In the Siemens Research and Innovation Ecosystem, experts work together with universities, research institutes, academic start-ups, technology incubators and customers on global challenges. Of such ecosystems there is a total of 16 worldwide.
A lot is also happening on the side of universities: Dr. Niels Feldmann presented the global SUGAR network as an example, which brings its corporate partners together with students from 24 universities on four continents. Within 9 months, the students work with various industry partners on real innovation challenges. This is not only about interdisciplinarity, but also about bringing young people and creative ideas together interculturally.
The next TECHimpulse online event is about "Women in Digital" and will take place on Monday, September 23, 2024.
Circular Economy – Navigating Sustainable Growth
What opportunities does the circular economy offer young companies? In TECHimpulse, we talked about sustainable transformation, creative innovation and international cooperation.
"It's time for African and European innovators to work together. The problems that need to be solved are the same here and there," said Harald Schützeichel, Director of the Stiftung Solarenergie and head of the Startup | Energy initiative. In mid-March, we discussed the importance of the circular economy with him and three other entrepreneurs from Europe and Africa in our online format TECHimpulse.
Our speakers were Léandre Berwa, co-founder and CEO of SLS Energy from Rwanda, Allen Mohammadi, co-founder and CEO of PlasticFri (Sweden), who is also a PhD student at the Chair of Entrepreneurship and Technology Management at KIT, and Mirko Ross, co-founder and CEO of the Stuttgart-based IT company Asvin.
The discussion focused on sustainability, innovation, and new markets in Africa. Léandre explained how his young company is dedicated to the fight against battery waste. SLS Energy uses its know-how to efficiently reuse used batteries until the end of their useful life. "Our main mission is to develop energy storage solutions from retired electric vehicle batteries and electronic waste."
Allen also emphasized the power of innovation. His green tech company PlastikFri, as the name suggests, is fighting for plastic-free solutions. "People are using a material with a half-life of several decades for a few minutes, it's crazy." Allen sees the circular economy as a specific "movement." It is important for young companies to think holistically. It's not enough to solve one problem and create ten more.
This holistic thinking Mirko was missing with many smart products. As an expert in cybersecurity, he brought a new aspect to the discussion: DRM and other security measures could undermine sustainability efforts. Products like phones, cars or tractors are becoming more difficult to repair, which shortens their lifespan and contradicts the idea of a circular economy.
All speakers agreed on the need for social change and a shift in mindset, both here and in Africa. An idea or a product should be conceived with circularity in mind from the very beginning - from design and functionality to repairability.
Not every startup in this space can immediately save the climate, but creative, new and international approaches can drive the circular economy forward. Mirko summed it up well:
"As a small startup you can't change the whole world, but you can talk about it in your environment, in your networks and with the people who have influence."
The next TECHimpulse online event will be held on Wednesday, June 18, focusing on "Corporate Innovation Programs" and is open to all interested.
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Online Event on Monday, 4 December 2023, 5pm – 6pm (CET)
Winning teams are critical and a key factor to the success of a start-up. An effective and motivated team with a clear vision enables collaboration and creates a positive working atmosphere to achieve common goals. A successful team thrives through open and honest communication. What should founders look for when building a team? Which factor are critical and make a successful team? And how do high-performing teams work in an international context?
In this session of TECHimpulse we discuss the importance of successful start-up teams. We talk to entrepreneurs about their experiences, lessons learned and best practices on the way to build and maintain a winning team.
Our Speaker:
- Dr. Alexander Tittel, Postdoc at the Institute for Entrepreneurship, Technology Management and Innovation (EnTechnon), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Ignace Turatsinze, Co-Founder & CEO at PayingTone
- Dr. Rene Sehi, CEO and Co-Founder of DATAMOTOR.AI
- Stephanie Pfeil-Coenen, Managing Director, CEO & Co-Founder, Phaeosynt GmbH
Women are still under-represented in technology-based industries. Clearly, greater innovation requires greater diversity. What are the challenges women face in the TECH sector? What obstacles do female founders face and what are the experiences of female startups in finding investors and networking?
In the first online event of the TECHimpulse series on 24 July 2023, we discussed women in the African startup ecosystem. Four young female entrepreneurs shared their experiences, challenges and best practices. Daisy Isaho, co-founder and CPO of Zuri Health in Kenya, spoke about the importance of gender equality for her medical technology company. "We need to embrace diversity and encourage female talent," she said, stressing that this is the only way to achieve economic and sustainable success.
Entrepreneur Farah Emara, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Source in Egypt, shared her experience in a male-dominated industry - and underlined that she finds such divisions problematic: "There is no such thing as a male or female industry, we can both strive in both".
Jaqueline Mukrukundo, co-founder and CMO of Wastezon in Rwanda, agreed. She also stressed the importance of building a personal brand and networking with other women. Finally, Sana Afouaiz, Founder and Director of the Brussels-based Womenpreneur Initiative, spoke about current issues facing female founders, such as a lack of trust or the fight against stereotypes. "At Womenpreneur, we believe in the economic empowerment of women as a tool to achieve greater equality in society".
The next TECHimpulse online event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, 2023 on "Setting the Focus Right" and is open to anyone who is interested.
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