Events
"MEANINGFUL INVESTMENTS"
was our topic of the 7th Forum in 2011. Thanks for your contribution!
About 300 guests and speakers gathered at the Hasso Plattner Institute to talk about their most meaningful investments in life. Once again we witnessed a day full of personal insights and intense networking.
“While preparing for this forum I asked all 28 speakers, what has been their most meaningful investment, “ says Eran Davidson, CEO Hasso Plattner Ventures and host of this year´s forum during his welcome of the 300 participants. “All of the answers had to do with giving. The energy set free through the act of giving is amazing.” In accordance with this, the theme of the conference at the Hasso-Plattner-Institute in Potsdam was “Meaningful Investments”.
“Much more important for my companies then my investments was and still is my passion.” emphasized Jens Hewald from Globumbus. The company strives to use the intelligence of the crowd via its platform to support start-up companies. The topic of “over-regulation of businesses” and the resulting economic conflicts concern Walter Stresemann from Vistra. The formation of international teams in order to clear space for the genius would be a meaningful investment for him.
Oxford Professor, Joshua Silver could be that genius. 1 billion people have vision problems and no access to corrective glasses. This is a problem he wants to solve with his adaptive eye-wear. He developed a technique which allows visual acuity to be regulated by water. “Through this and some good will, 1 billion people could receive the necessary glasses.” A better world is also the content of a “meaningful investment” for René Schuster, CEO Telefónica Germany. For the telephone company the network is the most important investment, as our digital future rests on it. 50 million people have no access to private electricity, but they own a mobile phone, that allows them to be part of the digital world.
The increased usage of renewable energies is a common interest of both developing and industrial nations, explains Dr. Sabine Miltner from Deutsche Bank. “Whoever invests in this area will encounter special challenges , but also promising innovation –and is given the chance, to help design an important subject for the future.” “Local events have a growing global impact”, notes Daren Hanson from IBM. In a world which is affected more and more by an overflow of knowledge, better technologies and artificial intelligence, efforts need to be renewed to solve problems such as water- and energy shortages. IBM sees itself in an active role to strengthen the global perspective and to make the world “smarter”.
T-Labs from Deutsche Telekom are also engaged in a program for entrepreneurs. Some of these dynamic companies presented themselves at the Forum. Andreas Ostermeyer, CEO Danone Germany presented his initiative for enriched yogurt in Bangladesh, which was started together with the Nobel-Price recipient, Muhammed Yunus. The principle of social entrepreneurship, to make the world a better place while making profits at the same time, is also being developed at the first chair “for social business” at the European Business School sponsored by Danone.
At the end of the conference, Eran Davidson emphasized one more time that the forum is not for profit. Viola Odebrecht from the 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam received a donation of € 5000,- for the “Homeless Worldcup”.
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Photos and videos
> Picture Gallery
> Video summary of the event
> Videos of the speeches at Tele-Task
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Press reactions
> "Rendite ist nicht alles" DER TAGESSPIEGEL
> "Mit Intelligenz und Leidenschaft" Finanznachrichten
> "Zum Nutzen der Gesellschaft" PNN
> "Forum Meaningful Investments" IDW
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Links and downloads
> Agenda 2011
> Party Flyer with all information
> Invitation
> Press release (June 10th)
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Our conference is sponsored by:
> Deutsche Bank AG
> Deutsche Telekom Laboratories
> Globumbus
> IBM
> Telefónica Germany
> VISTRA
> Danone
欢迎大家China - a Threat or an Opportunity?
Hasso Plattner Ventures 6th Forum on Entrepreneurship
June 30th, 2010 at Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
„Next time you encounter a well designed product, turn it over and find out where it came from – most likely from China.“, began Eran Davidson´s, CEO Hasso Plattner Ventures introduction at the 6th Hasso Plattner Ventures Forum on Entrepreneurship. “China – a Threat or an Opportunity?” was the title of the event with 250 participants, which was opened by Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Matthias Platzeck.
“For years the Hasso Plattner Ventures Forum has focused on topics which are important for Brandenburg as well. China is the most important Asian market for products made in Brandenburg.”, explained Platzeck. In the auditorium of the Hasso Plattner Institute speakers and participants discussed risks and opportunities in regard to the growing economic force China. Jürgen Fitschen, member of the management board Deutsche Bank, shared the substantial insights he gained through his long-time experience with China. According to Fitschen is it crucial to find reliable local partners. It is impossible to make things work in China, without an on-site network. Mr Fitschen stated that a company supported by Deutsche Bank was only able to turn around when the foreign CEOs were replaced by Chinese. This opinion was shared by the panel of Chinese, German and American managers. All agreed that it is one of the biggest challenges to find good employees and to make them stay, since Chinese employees have a different understanding of loyalty towards the company. But the biggest mistake you could make in China, was not to be there.
Their advice: Get strong local partners, forget whatever experiences you made in other countries, do not assume anything! Communication problems are another issue that has to be solved in China. Deborah Magid from IBM Venture Capital, for example, had to acknowledge that in China “I will do my best” stands for “I don’t have a clue what to do.”
In contrast to widespread critical opinion, the American teacher and environmental activist Greg Craven is convinced of the progress China is making in its conduct towards the environment. According to Craven channels of supply are short and work well. Also the less individualistic and more community-based approach in Chinese society is a plus for the development of ecological awareness. Moreover it is easier for the authoritarian Chinese government to enforce unpopular decisions. The Chinese ecological expert O Koo shares this view, as he regards the growing urbanization of China as a chance rather than a problem.
One of the highlights was the appeal delivered by 12 year old Felix Finkbeiner, who initiated the movement “Plant for the Planet” and has a worldwide following of children. Their aim is to plant one million trees in every country. Their motto is “Stop talking, start planting” and they call on everybody to do their best to ensure the future of the children right now. “For many of us children the year 2100 will still be in our lifetime. So we have to ensure that life on our planet will still be worthwhile.” Felix was elected “Most inspiring speaker of the day” at the end of the conference and Hasso Plattner Ventures will donate the surplus of the conference to his initiative.
Speakers and participants continued their inspired conversations until early evening on this hot summer day. World Champion Football Freestyler John Farnworth entertained the guests with his amazing football tricks and condensed the experience of the English soccer team in this World Cup into one sentence: „When you´re not good enough, you´re not good enough.“ An insight that many entrepreneurs will sha
The event was kindly supported by: Deutsche Bank AG and Deutsche Telekom Laboratories.
The event was catered by First Catering and Dining.
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Related links and downloads
> View the Agenda for the event (PDF)
> View a linklist to the contributors' profil and their presentations
> Download the booklet (PDF, 4.6MB)
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Photos and videos
> Photo gallery
> Video summary of the conference
> Videos of the speakers' lectures (on www.tele-task.de)
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Press
> Lausitzer Rundschau, 01.07.2010
> News for press, 30.06.2010
> Stockwatch 30.06.2010
> brd-info.net 30.06.2010
“Do not let the nay-sayers win!”: This message by Hasso Plattner delivered via video greeted the participants of this year’s Hasso Plattner Ventures Forum. 300 interested entrepreneurs, managers, scientists, scholars, top-athletes (and even dancers) met in Potsdam-Babelsberg on Tuesday to discuss the topic: “Crisis? Don’t miss the Chance!”
Next to overcoming an exceptional economic situation, the focus of interest lay on dealing with personal crisis. Speakers like Britta Steffen, Josef Ackermann or the much applauded Ketan Patel shared their views on the subject. “I had to learn that strength can only grow when I take breaks,” said world-record swimmer Britta Steffen describing her remarkable return. “I gain courage from not having to win anymore.” In the early days of her career only winning or losing would define her sense of self-worth, nowadays it’s all about enjoying the sport itself.
Dr. Josef Ackermann, CEO Deutsche Bank, described a new path into the future. The current crisis allows especially young people to prove themselves and it accelerates careers. Ackermann urged that one must take a holistic approach towards the economy. One cause for the crisis was looking only at numbers.
A very special highlight was the intervention of Sasha Waltz & Guests during the lunch break. Amidst the chatting participants an initially disturbing and yet very poetic performance took place, showing a way of overcoming the crisis of the individual through a process of coming together.
During the forum “The most promising company launched in 2009 Award” was given to Thomas Klein's young company Cytolon. In close coordination with transplantation clinics and cord blood banks, Cytolon developed a highly professional IT-platform which guarantees an effective and smooth cooperation between transplantation clinics, donor-registries, cord blood banks as well as affiliated industries.
“Everybody in this room is actually an expert on crises,” said Eran Davidson, CEO of Hasso Plattner Ventures. Everybody was able to take some new insights and thoughts with him and expressed their anticipation of the Hasso Plattner Ventures Forum in 2010! Hope to see you there!
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Related links and downloads
> View agenda with speakers and their presentations
> List of Speakers
> Introduction by Eran Davidson
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Photos and videos
> Interview with Hasso Plattner
> Video for betterplace.org
> Video for agbe.org
> Video for Cinema Jenin Palestine
> Video of the n-tv report on the forum
> The speakers' contributions on Tele-TASK
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Press
> Press release
> Article in Märkische Allgemeine
> Berliner Morgenpost
Our 4th annual Forum on Entrepreneurship took place under a cloudless summer sky at the campus of Hasso Plattner Institute. 250 international guests and 24 speakers gathered in order to talk and to learn about how to combine social projects with successful entrepreneurship.
After greetings from Dr. Dietmar Woidke, Minister of Rural Development, Environment and Consumer Protection and the representatives of the two generous sponsors, Thomas Borghardt of Deutsche Bank and Dr. Klaus Lesker of MAN Ferrostaal, we witnessed a tremendous fireworks of reports, showing how one can realize what could be called “mindful business” projects in a very successful and professional way.
Our international speakers - from the young student to the famous, experienced businessman - shared with an overwhelmed audience the most tremendous resumes of their worldwide projects which definitely will make the world a better place - and encourage others to follow these examples. But we were also reminded of Mahatma Ghandi’s famous words: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
One great example out of 24 is Rael Lissoos who received the “Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2008” award for his company Dabba Telecommunications. The company provides cheap or free of charge communication systems for rural and low income urban areas in South Africa.
Please take a look yourself at the documentation of this highly informative, encouraging and moving day by clicking on the agenda. Here you can meet the protagonists, download their presentations, read press clippings, look at photos - and hopefully get inspired to join us next year for another challenging Forum on Entrepreneurship, and, most of all: make the world a better place!
> Agenda with presentations and more information about our speakers
> Photo gallery: Impressions from the Forum
Hasso Plattner Ventures invited the heads of his portfolio companies to meet with experienced entrepreneurs at the first Elite Academy for Entrepreneurs at Schloss Liebenberg, not far from Berlin.
The main focus was to share problems, find solutions and learn from each other on a very personal basis. With the „life lines“, moderated by Oliver Beste, immediately the silence has been broken when everyone shared their ups and downs in life in a few minutes.
Saturday and Sunday, David Darsch and his team from CEO-CF supported, coached, and helped to analyse and make milestone commitments. When we had a refreshing break … the desks looked like people had worked hard. But besides these instructive and challenging sessions, we also had a lot of fun together!
Some of us did jogging in the early morning with HPV’s good friend Christian Schenk, gold medal winner in decathlon. Successful entrepreneurs himself, he is also hosting, the Elite Academy for Athletes at Schloss Liebenberg.
The second group had the pleasure to go for a deer observation with Frank Luck, the world’s most successful world championship participant ever. Thanks to him, we tracked down - with our binoculars - an impressive herd of male deer.
Saturday afternoon, some of us even went for a walking meditation in the park - conceived by the famous German landscape architect Lenné - observing the woodpecker and letting go the never ending flow of thoughts about yesterday and tomorrow for a little wile.
The third group looked out of the window and pulled the blanket over their tired heads when they saw the cosy light on the dawn: And then Saturday evening we lit the torches and walked through the night - high tech entrepreneurs using „medieval technology“.
We had dinner at the beautiful Seehaus, right at the lake where we resumed our experiences while appreciating a glass of fine wine followed later in the evening by old whiskey next to the fireplace.
It has been a great experience for all of us to be able to share our crucial problems and very personal ideas in a kind of protected, open minded atmosphere where everyone listens carefully, ready to help by giving examples based on their own feelings, fears, wishes, failures, and successes. Like at the Olympic games, we will keep the fire to light the torches at our next event!
Looking forward to meeting you very soon again and also to learn about the good news resulting from the experiences, personal contacts, and the lessons learned at Hasso Plattner Ventures’ first Elite Academy Entrepreneurship.
> Download this article as PDF
On June 26, 2007, Prof. Hasso Plattner and Eran Davidson welcomed 300 guests to "DESIGN IT . 3rd Forum on Entrepreneurship" at Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam. Renowned IT experts and designers got together to discuss about design and its implications for IT and Entrepreneurship. After the welcome by Eran Davidson and greetings by Rainer Speer, Minister of Finance in Brandenburg, Prof. Plattner emphasized in his keynote that today’s challenge in the development of business software is to find user-friendly solutions, which is particularly challenging in this area because of its highly complex field of application.
Following the announcement of the opening of HPI - School of Design Thinking, in two case-studies James Denman (FACTON), Dr. Michael Heinrich (d-labs), Dr. Raghavan (Aztecsoft) and Morten Lund (Lundkenner and Lund2) dealt with real-life examples of design in business. Roby Stancel (Nanosolar) then talked about culture and innovation in companies. Zia Yusuf (SAP) reported on SAP’s investment in design. At the end of the morning, Mindmeister was awarded "Best User Centred Design Company 2007".
After lunch, famous mountaineer Thomas Huber presented his principle on designing goals. Dan’l Lewin (Microsoft) reported that at Microsoft the incorporation of user centred design is seen as a market-driven strategy. Dr. Udo Bub (Deutsche Telekom Laboratories) spoke about the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories’ approach of developing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions with an intuitive usability. Prof. Mike Richter (Darmstadt University), Tim Brown (IDEO) and Dr. Gesche Joost (Deutsche Telekom Laboratories) discussed a variety of aspects from the design’s perspective, followed by a lecture by Margarete Pratschke (Humboldt University Berlin) on the history of the graphical user interface. The forum ended with Q&A, emphasising the challenge of the term “design” for entrepreneurs.
> Photo Gallery
> Agenda, speakers and presentations
> Press Clippings I (PDF)
> Press Clippings II (PDF)
< Back to Events
The conference provided a platform for entrepreneurs with innovative and creative business ideas, to present their ideas to managers of renowned industry and venture capitalists.
The goal of the conference was to INITIATE and GROW entrepreneurial ideas, as well as to build a COOPERATION for their businesses. This time we sought business ideas in Open Source Software.
> Photo gallery: Impressions from the conference
> Agenda, speakers and presentations
> Press reports
One year after the foundation of Hasso Plattner Ventures, Prof. Hasso Plattner and Eran Davidson gathered again high-class guests and speakers at Hasso-Plattner-Institute. Following the welcome address of host Davidson, Minister Wanka emphasized on the founder’s generous engagement. Plattner explained the important link between design and IT-world.
Following the discussion of young successful entrepreneurs, Herbert Kircher, IBM, introduced the technical visions of his company. Davidson pictured his experiences in Germany and presented the first „HPV Companies“. The afternoon was dedicated to the motivation of potential entrepreneurs by knowledge transfer of the Investors’ and Sports Champions’ panel. As a special highlight, the lecture of Shai Agassi, SAP, (download) encouraged even the most hesitating to dare the leap upwards - even at the risk of first falling down again. Exemplarily of those who dared and won, EnOcean GmbH was awarded „Start-up of the Year 2006“ by HPV and IBM, award endowed with 10,000 Euro.
> Photo gallery: Impressions from the conference
> Agenda, speakers and presentations
The Network Centric Services Conference, held in Potsdam on March 21, 2006, provided a platform for entrepreneurs with innovative and creative business ideas to present them to decision makers of industry and venture capital funds.
According to the conference’ motto the technical focus was on network centric services, media provisioning and seamless services. Furthermore the conference wanted to start and grow entrepreneur’s ideas as well as to build cooperation for their business. Together with well-known speakers the conference sponsors welcomed over 100 conference guests from software and telecom industry, corporate research, university and venture capital.
The conference was sponsored by Hasso Plattner Institute, Hasso Plattner Ventures, T-Venture, Deutsche Telekom Laboratories and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It was hosted in the conference facility of the Hasso Plattner Institute, which is located on the campus of the University of Potsdam in Babelsberg.
> Photo gallery: Impressions from the conference
> Agenda, speakers and presentations
Hasso Plattner Ventures, the venture capital company founded by Professor Hasso Plattner, co-founder and chairman of the supervisory board of SAP, has moved into its new accommodation in Potsdam-Babelsberg. It was previously accommodated in the Hasso Plattner Institute. On Monday, February 27, Eran Davidson, the CEO of Hasso Plattner Ventures Management GmbH, took over the renovated villa in the August-Bebel-Str. 88.
The villa, built in 1902 by the Kaiser Wilhelm Foundation in Berlin as a home for invalids, was later purchased by the East German State Railway and subsequently owned by German Rail. The Hasso-Plattner-Förderstiftung gGmbH purchased the building in the autumn of 2004, immediately commenced with the clearing out, and started the renovation of the historically protected villa in March 2005 which is now the core of the Hasso Plattner High Tech Park in Potsdam.
The plot close to the Hasso Plattner Institute and the Babelsberg film park has a size of approximately 13,000 square meters. The villa itself has three floors with a gross space of approximately 2,090 square meters. Each floor has six large rooms on average plus the associated auxiliary areas. The state-of-the-art building services include equipment such as video conference systems and wireless networks. An underground car park in front of the villa provides 51 parking spaces.
Two annexes are envisaged to cover further growth of the “Hasso Plattner High Tech Park”. An additional gross floor space of 4,300 square meters could then be provided. The project costs for the Hasso Plattner High Tech Park are somewhat above 18 million euros.
The conference „Start Up & Grow – Forum on Entrepreneurship“ on 13 June, 2005, marked the successful start of Hasso Plattner Ventures. Together with other well-known speakers and over 200 conference guests from the IT-sector, Prof. Hasso Plattner and Eran Davidson, president and CEO of the new institution, talked about how to ignite a new entrepreneurial spirit in Germany.
The presentation of the concept of HassoPlattnerVentures was followed by an expert panel featuring among others Matthias Platzeck, Prime Minister of Brandenburg, and Marc Samwer, founder and CEO of Jamba!. A live intervention from Zia Yusuf at SAP in Palo Alto kicked-off the afternoon programme followed by a series of speeches highlighting the success factors for founding new businesses and incubators. During two workshops at the end of the conference the participants were given the opportunity to inform themselves about “Promoting ideas” and “Protecting ideas”.
> Photo gallery: Impressions from the conference
> Agenda, speakers and presentations
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Stefanie BückerEvent Manager |
