Nur noch Rang 12 von 35 Industrie- und Schwellenländern. Der Innovationsindikator 2024 von BDI, Roland Berger, Fraunhofer ISI und ZEW hat verdeutlicht, Deutschlands Innovationsfähigkeit nimmt ab. Und das trotz steigender privater wie öffentlicher Innovationsausgaben. Andere Staaten ziehen an Deutschland zunehmend vorbei – mit weitreichenden Implikationen für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Standorts. Hat Deutschland die Trendumkehr geschafft? Wie steht Deutschland in puncto Innovationsfähigkeit bei den wichtigen Zukunftsfeldern „Schlüsseltechnologien“ und „Nachhaltigkeit“? Und wie trägt die Offenheit eines Landes zu dessen Innovationsfähigkeit bei? BDI-Präsident Peter Leibinger und Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Partner von Roland Berger, stellen den Innovationsindikator 2025 vor und liefern damit den Hintergrund für das Festival.

Peter Leibinger, Präsident, BDI

Stefan Schaible, Global Managing Partner, Roland Berger

The reports by Mario Draghi and Manuel Heitor have shown that the innovation gap between Europe and its international competitors is widening. To ensure that Europe remains self-determined and economically strong in future, competitiveness and the promotion of innovation must be at the heart of the European economic agenda. But how can we develop and deliver more products ‘Made in the EU’? Does the new research framework programme provide the right impetus for this? And how can we ensure a greater participation by SMEs and start-ups in Europe's innovation ecosystem?

Michael Kaschke, Präsident, Stifterverband

Peter Leibinger, Präsident, BDI

Kathleen O’Brien, Chief Technology Officer, Siemens Energy

Andreas Schwarz, Head of Cabinet of Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

Jennifer Sarah Boone, Moderatorin

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has shown that innovation is key to ensuring security and resilience. In the past, Europe has often lagged behind the United States when it comes to fostering effective cooperation between industry and military. With its network of more than 20 affiliated accelerator sites and over 180 test centres, NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) aims to identify and accelerate dual-use innovation across the Alliance. But how can this network be integrated into the wider existing support frameworks of the EU and NATO member states? How has the paradigm shift brought about by Germany’s “Zeitenwende” influenced cooperation between German industry and NATO? And what regulatory changes are necessary to further develop an innovative defense-tech ecosystem that ensures that NATO stays ahead of potential adversaries?

Dennis Gyllensporre, Chair, Board of Directors, Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)

Peter Leibinger, Präsident, BDI