2024 Programme

In his keynote speech, Dr Reinhard Zinkann explains why the circular economy is the key to a sustainable future, what role digitalization plays in this and what challenges still need to be solved along the way.

In September 2024, Haier Europe will celebrate 10 years of IoT in a journey that has seen the company as pioneer in this domain. There is a close connection between sustainability and IoT, as it enables scenarios that would otherwise be impossible: from managing appliances to managing the Smart Home through sustainable, useful, and integrated solutions that also allow consumers to adopt sustainable behaviors in their daily lives.

Sascha Pallenberg is a German tech blogger and consultan named one of the NEXT 100 top influencers in the European digital industry in 2013. For four consecutive years (2010-2013), Sascha won the 'Top 20 Smart Mobile Device Pundit' award for the most influential bloggers and journalists in mobile computing. Later in 2015, Sascha was awarded the 'Golden Blogger' as Blogger of the Year in Germany before moving to Daimler AG's Corporate Communications department as Head of Digital Transformation in February 2017. He was then Chief Awareness Officer at aware, Germany's first sustainability platform, until 2023. Sascha Pallenberg is MeTacheles Chief Editor and supports companies in sustainable transformation processes.

Brought to you by W-Lounge, founded by Mali Baum who is chairing the ifa next advisory board, we are proud to announce the panel discussion, "The Way We Live, The Way We Work - Smart Cities and Sustainable Real Estate," scheduled for Sunday, September 8, 2024, starting at 10:45 AM. The panel will be moderated by Laurelie Martin, CEO of UnitedShare. Our distinguished guests include Daniel Müller, Venture Manager at Bosch Digital; Nikita Roshkow, CEO of AHOY; and Nils Wagner, CEO of New Ventures at REHAU. This session will explore the future of urban living and sustainable development in real estate.

Chipolo is - and has always been - about more than just helping you find your lost keys, wallet, or suitcase. As a representation of their commitment to sustainability, this leading Bluetooth item tracker brand created the Chipolo ONE Ocean Edition - a "Gear of the Year" Winner (Wired Magazine) that is a true game-changer when it comes to the ways we buy and the style in which we consume gadgets. Join Chipolo CEO Primož Zelenšek and award-winning global advisor and internationally recognized tech expert Heather Delaney as they bring you the successful story of an eco-friendly tech product that is sure to inspire others to follow suit.

We've been promised flying cars for 100 years, and it appeared that the laws of physics told us it was impossible. Learn about the Alef flying car - the best-selling aircraft in history, with over 2 billion people reached through news and social networks, and the first historical electric car with vertical takeoff and flight.

Witness a stationary model at IFA and watch footage of the real flying car during Jim Dukhovny's keynote.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance aims to ignite creativity and collaboration in the IoT by developing, evolving, and promoting universal open standards. Alliance President and CEO Tobin Richardson will expand on this vision by sharing how Matter, an industry–unifying standard, encourages industry collaboration and strengthens sustainability in the smart home. Josephine Watson, TechRadars's Managing Editor - Lifestyle, will then lead an industry expert panel discussion exploring the future of smart home adoption and opportunities for new service providers to contribute to a more connected, sustainable future.

Join us for a cutting-edge panel discussion "Venture Clienting: Startups Incept and Corporations Bring Innovation to Life," featuring industry experts like Fabian (CEO Founder @ GlassDollar), Axel Menneking (Vice President Startup Incubation & Venturing at Deutsche Telekom) and Mathias Weber (Venture Manager @ BSH Startup Kitchen). This session leverages insights from hundreds of successful collaborations and from exclusive data from a study analysing 80,000 startups - corporate collaborations. Expect deep strategic understanding and practical takeaways that highlight how corporations can seamlessly convert startup innovations into successful market solutions.

Join us for an exciting global pitch battle featuring cutting-edge hardware sustainability startups. Watch as innovative companies compete head-to-head, showcasing breakthrough solutions that redefine the future of technology. A place to see bloom sustainable energy innovations, this event brings together world-changing ideas from around the globe. Don’t miss out on the grand finale where one visionary startup will emerge as the ultimate winner. Tune in and witness the future of hardware unfold!

The list selected by The Factory Network:
Evar
Solaires
IDB
KoreaGreenData
MoveAWheeL

Meet Carsten Waldeck, CEO and Founder at SHIFT GmbH, for a workshop followed by a Q&A!

Join us at the Tuya Global Developer Summit (Europe).

What to expect?

14:00-14:05 Opening Remarks by Tina Yu, General Manager of Eurasia, Tuya Smart

14:05-14:20 AI-powered Efficiency: Redefine Smart Living with Tuya by Alex Yang, Co-founder & COO, Tuya Smart

14:20-14:30 Topic TBC by Dr. Ronald Wulff, Head of Germany Specialist Solution, AWS

14:30-14:40 The Effects of AI and IoT to Everyday Life by Selahattin Köksal, Head of IoT & Digital Strategy, VESTEL

14:40-14:50 Powering Sustainability: The Smart Homes of Today by Daniel Gorr, CMO & Managing Director, Tink

14:50-15:00 Cooperation Announcement: Project France & Project UK 

We’re entering a new era where sustainability is no longer optional—it's a baseline requirement. For businesses, this is an opportunity to meet evolving consumer demands. As electricity grids become more volatile, there’s a chance to cut real emissions by shifting energy use to times when cleaner power is available - and attract and engage new users with these sustainable solutions. Join us to learn how consumer electronics companies can build smarter products that optimize energy use and empower their consumers to lower their carbon footprint and energy costs.

EuroCommerce explores the transformative impact of eco-design and circular economy practices within the retail and wholesale sector. As sustainability becomes increasingly vital, these practices not only help in reducing environmental impact but also present significant opportunities for innovation and growth. The discussion will bring together industry leaders, including a member of the European Parliament, to delve into policy frameworks, practical implementations, and future trends. Attendees will gain insights into how national associations across 27 countries, sector associations, and international companies are embracing these concepts to drive forward a more sustainable future. Join us to understand the intersection of regulatory support, industry collaboration, and innovative design in creating a circular economy that benefits businesses, consumers, and the planet.

The IFA SUSTAINABILITY platform powered by Tagesspiegel will spotlight one of the most significant megatrends of our time, making it an integral part of this year's IFA stage program and core identity. We will explore how sustainability can be aligned with economic success, examine the leverage that businesses and industries have to enhance sustainability, and discuss the role of policy frameworks. The platform will showcase best practices and establish a distinct sustainability profile for IFA.

Join Urte and two visionary female CEOs, Katharina Riederer of eco.mio and Marie Kober of Senvo, for an inspiring discussion on how women-led startups are driving innovation in green and smart technologies during challenging times. In this special edition of the Ask Female Founders event, held at the IFA and featuring Germany's largest female business angel network, Encourage Ventures, you'll hear first-hand how these leaders are navigating the intersection of sustainability and technology, transforming crises into opportunities for growth. Don’t miss this chance to gain insights, advice, and inspiration in a warm, supportive atmosphere.

The long-discussed "right to repair" is imminent. We will explore how it could transform the technology landscape for both consumers and manufacturers. Will manufacturers soon compete to offer the longest-lasting products? Will more consumers gravitate towards higher-quality, more expensive devices? The promised lifespan of software updates has already set a trend in this direction. However, companies face significant challenges in implementing the "right to repair." What measures will ensure its uniform and effective implementation at the national level? Additionally, how do longevity and technical progress, particularly regarding energy efficiency, converge from the perspectives of industry, politics, and consumers?

An energy-efficient and sustainable product will still cost the consumer more. Studies indicate that while consumers demand greater sustainability from their favorite brands, few are willing or able to pay a premium for it unless it pays for itself through lower energy costs. In contrast, the willingness to pay for CO2-neutral or socially responsible production is significantly lower. How can producers who heavily invest in sustainable products and production methods be protected from competition that does not follow this path? What legislative measures, shifts in societal attitudes, and political and corporate communication strategies will make such products the standard rather than a premium niche? Is the EU energy efficiency label still effective at incentivizing producers to manufacture efficiently and encouraging consumers to purchase such products? Could similar labels serve as additional indicators of highly sustainable products?

Supply chains have great potential to ensure deep-rooted sustainability in all aspects. However, they are plenty in numbers and compliance brings bureaucracy with it. Different directives are urging producers to take closer looks at what their devices are made of. Investing in production that complies with human rights and environmental standards can in turn bring great opportunities for greater independence and resilience.

Join us at 3:40 pm for a live recording of the "Tagesspiegel Gradmesser" podcast, hosted by Tagesspiegel editor Ruth Ciesinger. This session will feature Nora Sophie Griefahn, co-founder of the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) NGO, as she discusses innovative approaches to sustainable design and circular economy.

Only three finalists will go head-to-head.  

Meet our esteemed panel of judges, which includes industry leaders, tech visionaries, and investment experts who will evaluate the pitches and steer our audiences’ opinion:

Stefanie Trapl: Expert in launching premium brands, Stefanie is passionate about consumer electronics and market strategy.
Robert Kopka: Founder of StartMatch.ai, Robert excels in simplifying grant applications for startups and mentoring entrepreneurs.
Mark Caffrey: CEO of Syntropic Medical, Mark is advancing neurostimulation techniques for psychiatric disorders.
Niklas Spichalsky: Business angel and founder, Niklas is focused on leveraging technology to transform markets.
David Weng: Leading expert in sports IoT, Ming-Che is pioneering RTLS total solutions.
Heather Swift Hunt: Heather empowers hardware startups and creators worldwide, having guided thousands at Kickstarter.
Peter Machona: CTO of HeySalad, Peter drives innovation at the intersection of technology and agriculture.
Olga Lysak: A multilingual leader and AI enthusiast, Olga manages Lemberg Solutions' Hamburg office and drives charitable initiatives.
Stefanie Koch: With 15+ years in hardware and software, Stefanie excels in sustainable product design for a circular economy.