Topics to be discussed at Indo-German Startup Week ‘Flagship Day’: 20 September

Sep 7, 2021

On the first day of the Indo German Startup Week 2021, we will focus on the broad aspects of fostering Indo-German Cooperation in startup ecosystems. We will present startup success stories in the Indo-German context and highlight the topic of diversity when we do cross-border business. We will throw light on how can India and Germany work towards social transformation in times of crisis? Here is a quick look at some of the panel discussions we will cover. 

 

Register here for all days of the Indo German Startup week (20-24 September 2021).

 

Future of Indo German Startups: Successful innovations & opportunities to co-innovate

Entrepreneurs across the world have been intrigued by the Indian start-up scene lately. What is even more fascinating is the opportunities that Germany could have with India. India was amongst the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with Germany post the World Wars. According to Invest India, post the economic reforms and liberalization of the Indian market in 1991, Germany has gone on to become one of India’s most significant trade and investment partners.  Cumulatively, Germany has invested over $13.19 bn in India between 2000 and 2021. Key areas of investments have been transportation, electrical equipment, metallurgical industries, services sector (particularly insurance), chemicals, construction activity, trading, and automobiles. Over 1,600 Indo-German collaborations and 600 joint ventures are represented in the Indian marketplace. But what does this mean for co-innovation and co-creation stories between Indian and German startups? In this panel, we will discuss the existing and potential areas of Indo-German collaboration for startups. 

Confirmed speakers : 

  1. Caroline Silva Garbade, Desk Officer Startup Policy, BMWi
  2. Dr. Ajai Garg, Senior Director MeitY
  3. Jeet Vijayvargiya, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH)
  4. Stefan Halusa, Director General, IGCC
  5. Julian Zix, Project Lead GINSEp, German Startups Association
  6. Diksha Dutta, GINSEP & Asia Berlin

 

Indo-German Success Stories

Being a foreign founder can have its own set of challenges – understanding regulations, language, culture, securing funding, and go-to-market strategies. We will present successful startup stories of founders who built unicorns and innovative business models in a foreign land. You will hear all the tips for cracking their entrepreneurial journey. 

Confirmed speakers : 

  1. Naren Shaam, CEO & Founder, Omio
  2. Tom Segert, Director of Business Development, Berlin Space Technologies Gmbh
  3. Moderator:  Diksha Dutta (GINSEP and AsiaBerlin)

 

Role of DEI (Diversity Equity and  Inclusion) in disruptive startup innovation

Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians.

Diversity often focuses on the differences and the mix of characteristics we are born with and develop. Inclusion is the behavior of welcoming diversity and creating an environment where all voices and identities are embraced. Differences are valuable assets. 

Lack of Diversity in big tech has been an issue for decades. But startups seem to have made the right noise in changing this. We are seeing more women-led funds and startups and the rise of ethnic founders in the startup world. But more than often, Diversity is a marketing gig than reality. So what does Diversity mean for tech startups? How do startups build a diverse brand? Do investors think of diversity and inclusion as a driver for profitable startups? 

Confirmed speakers : 

  1. Alina Bassi, Co-Founder & CEO, Kleiderly
  2. Rouven Dresselhaus, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Cavalry Ventures
  3. Moderator : Diksha Dutta , GINSEP and AsiaBerlin 

 

Tech4Good Innovations: Catalysts for social transformation in times of crisis

 

The development and adoption of advanced technologies, including smart automation and artificial intelligence, can raise productivity and GDP growth and improve well-being more broadly, including healthier life, longevity, and more leisure. Alongside such benefits, these technologies also have the potential to reduce disruption and the potentially destabilizing effects on society arising from their adoption. What factors can help humanity achieve such benefits and make the first attempt to calculate the impact of technology adoption on welfare growth beyond GDP? Intrinsically, technology is neither good nor bad—it is the use to which it is put that makes the difference. In this panel, we discuss initiatives by different tech startups and corporates towards Tech4Good, especially in challenging times of the Covid-19 crisis. 

Confirmed Speakers

  1. Ambassador Gurjit Singh, Former Ambassador to Germany, Indonesia & ASEAN, Ethiopia & the African Union
  2. Ajit Chandran, GM & Head of Business Development, ReLoop
  3. Rahul Lodhe, Senior Director of Engineering, SAP
  4. Shankar Kumar, Advisor CSR, GIZ (Moderator)

 

Take a look at the initial program here as we keep updating with detailed panel descriptions and speaker announcements.