The Digitalization offers opportunities for companies of all industries and sizes, but also presents them with major challenges. The Startup Conference“Bits & Pretzels” provides first-class information and inspiration on this mega-topic – and offers interesting insights into the creative world of the online scene.
The change from analog for the digital This era is moving rapidly and is changing business models, value chains and corporate processes in all sectors. Entrepreneurs are well aware of this: In an online survey by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BIHK) published at the beginning of the year, 94 percent of Bavarian companies surveyed confirmed that the Digitalization their business and work processes. The question remains how companies can meet the challenges of the digital revolution and take advantage of its opportunities. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce supports and accompanies the Bavarian economy in finding answers to this question and offers a wide range of Events and information as well as interesting networking opportunities.
Examples of this are the founders event Bits & Pretzels, for which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry offers its members a ticket quota at special conditions.
Interview with the organizers of Bits and Pretzels:
“Connecting young and established forces”
Bernd Storm van's Gravesande, Andreas Bruckschlögl and Felix Haas, the organizers of Bits & Pretzels, explain why the international start-up event is also interesting for medium-sized companies in the old economy – and what role the Closing event plays at the Oktoberfest.
Why does the conclusion of Bits & Pretzels take place at the Munich Oktoberfest?
Bernd Storm van's Gravesande: Bits & Pretzels has evolved from a local white sausage breakfast to an international startup event with numerous guests and speakers from international startup hotspots such as Silicon Valley, London, and Tel Aviv. The Munich Oktoberfest is world-renowned and also stands for networking in a relaxed atmosphere. With the support of the City of Munich, we were able to round off the networking on the third day of the Bits & Pretzels festival with a communal white sausage breakfast in the Schottenhamel marquee, thus raising awareness of Bavaria as a startup hub far beyond the country's borders. But one thing is clear: It is only thanks to our many strong partners, above all our patron, the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner, Munich's Deputy Mayor Josef Schmid, and Oktoberfest host Michael Schottenhamel, that we have succeeded in creating this unique event format here in Munich and are now increasingly attracting international startup superstars.
Why is it also worthwhile for established entrepreneurs from more traditional business areas to participate in Bits & Pretzels?
Felix Haas: Digitalization is currently permeating all industries. Buzzwords like "big data" and "on-demand economy" are becoming an integral part of the dialogue in the old economy. We now have a unique societal opportunity to harness the opportunities of this digitalization by connecting the old and new economies. If we do this intelligently and connect the young, creative minds with the established forces, we will be in a very good position in the global competition of digitalization. Policymakers are embracing this interconnectedness with Industry 4.0, and we want to make our contribution with Bits & Pretzels.
How do you assess Munich’s attractiveness as a location for startups?
Felix Haas: Munich has nothing to hide behind other cities—quite the opposite! In addition to a very high quality of life, thanks to its excellent universities and the now highly developed local startup scene, Munich offers a very large number of talented individuals, especially in the technical field. With Bits & Pretzels, we want to bring these qualities and the attractive advantages for startups in our city into sharper focus and generate the attention they deserve.
Eva Elisabeth Ernst – abridged, originally published in the business magazine Economy 09/2015 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria
Information about the IHK panel “Digital Mittelstand” on September 28, 2015 // Room 5 @ Bits and Pretzels
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Munich and Upper Bavaria is organizing a workshop tailored to the challenges of small and medium-sized businesses. Panel, which addresses political, social and entrepreneurial aspects of digitalization.
How can the policy the SMEs support in digitalization? This is the question that the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner to entrepreneurs and decision-makers of Bavarian medium-sized businesses.
Oliver Putz, SME expert for digital transformation, shows how only the analysis of one's own situation can prevent one from being overrun by disruptive business models.
"Those who do not digitize now are leaving the value creation to others “, is the motto of Philipp Depiereux, founder and CEO of the digital consultancy Etventure and author of the 7 rules of digitalization.
Impulsive pitches from digital start-ups conclude the panel.
Stay in the Facebook event to the panel up to date.
By the way: The IHK Startup Unit You can get to know them personally at Bits and Pretzels. A few surprises await you at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce booth in the entrance area.
