2024 Programme

Join us for a full day at the Dream Stage with MediaMarktSaturn. 

This event, moderated by Verena Gründel, will cover various aspects of MediaMarktSaturn's business and its future strategies. Attendees will learn about innovations, partnerships, and brand evolution.

All sessions will be held in German. 

Sascha Mager, CEO of MediaMarktSaturn Deutschland, will kick off the event with a welcome address, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on retail innovation and brand growth.

A panel of MediaMarktSaturn executives and key suppliers, moderated by Verena Gründel, will explore how future-oriented partnerships can enhance retailer and partner interactions. The discussion will focus on innovative approaches and strategies needed to meet evolving customer expectations and market demands.

Join our President of Global Retail as he shares his take on the innovation trends that will offer critical pockets of growth in 2025 and beyond - focusing on product, business models, channel and retail. 

Michael Schuld, CCMO of MediaMarktSaturn, will present the journey and transformation of the brand, highlighting key strategies and milestones that have shaped its growth and market presence.

Torsten Ahlers will discuss the success strategies of MediaMarktSaturn’s retail media in the omnichannel landscape, emphasizing the integration of digital and physical retail experiences to drive sales and customer engagement.

A keynote by Rapha Gielgen, Trendscout Future of Work Life & Learn at Vitra

Christian Kollesch will elaborate on how MediaMarktSaturn’s marketplace platform serves as a key driver for brand growth, detailing strategies for expansion and competitive positioning in the market.

The PC is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by advancements in AI and the rise of ARM-based platform. Join us for an unmissable conversation as industry leaders explore the latest innovations. HONOR CEO George Zhao will unveil the company’s latest AI PC lineup, demonstrating the company's vision for productivity and connectivity. The esteemed panel, moderated by Fast Company’s Global Technology Editor Harry McCracken, will deep-dive into the critical questions shaping the industry with George Zhao, Alex Katouzian, Group GM of MCX at Qualcomm and Mark Linton, VP of Device Partner Sales at Microsoft: What does it truly mean to be an AI PC? And what does the future hold for this rapidly evolving landscape? Get ready for a front-row seat as we dissect the latest trends and innovations that are redefining the PC as we know it.

Speakers：

Panel Moderator:

Harry McCracken: Global Technology Editor at Fast Company

Panel Guests：

George Zhao: CEO, HONOR Device Co., Ltd.

Alex Katouzian: Group GM of MCX, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Mark Linton: VP, Device Partner Sales, Microsoft

Ralf Schmitt and the audio agency German Wahnsinn will reveal how generative AI is being utilized to create innovative sound branding for MediaMarktSaturn, enhancing auditory brand identity and customer connection.

Björn Ognibeni will deliver a keynote on the future of e-commerce, drawing inspiration from digital advancements in China and exploring the integration of AI, social engagement, and entertainment in online retail.

Join H.E In-ho LEE, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, and former 1st Vice Minister of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in Korea, to uplift a discussion of trading towards innovation.  

What to expect during his session: 
Sub1. Trade and Economic Cooperation between Korea and Germany
Sub2. Startup Eco-System of Korea and Germany
Sub3. IFA and NextRise, what they matter
Sub4. The Era of Digital Innovation and its way forward : Korea and Germany 

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.

Sirène. Feel safe in public. Anytime. Anywhere.

Get to know more during this talk with Caroline Lilleør Brand Manager for Sirène

 

In the fast-paced world of consumer electronics, selecting the right distribution strategy is crucial for success. "The Growth Lab" is an engaging workshop hosted by Aqipa—an industry-leading distributor and growth accelerator for premium consumer electronics brands across Europe—designed to provide you with the insights and tools needed to navigate the complex path to market.

We'll explore essential distribution models like B2B2C, direct-to-consumer, and retail partnerships, demonstrating how each can be tailored to achieve your specific business goals. Through interactive discussions and real-world case studies, you'll learn how to expand retail collaborations, enhance your e-commerce strategy, and fully leverage the strategic role of a distribution partner.

Join us for an hour of actionable insights and discover how a well-crafted distribution strategy can drive growth and success. Ideal for both startups and established brands, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge, forge valuable industry connections, and unlock new growth opportunities. Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward mastering your distribution strategy.

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.

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

The era of passwords is coming to an end, with new alternative methods of online authentication steadily taking their place to secure our ever-changing digital identities. With AI allowing hackers to carry out cyber attacks on a much wider scale, passwords—with their vulnerabilities—are simply not enough to provide a strong sense of security anymore.

During his presentation, Sorin Manole will draw a parallel between online authentication solutions and more familiar technologies, guiding participants through the evolution of our digital identities and predicting what’s next.

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 

Join us for an exciting global pitch battle featuring cutting-edge hardware for Emerging Consumer Tech startups. Watch as innovative companies compete head-to-head, showcasing breakthrough solutions that redefine the future of technology.  Understanding next-gen consumer gadgets, 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:
FYTA
kikaGO
PLAUD.AI
TheLittleCat
ViXion

Join Daniel and Pavol at the IFA Next Lounge to onboard the discussion towards:

• Customer Centricity and how it’s driving business success
• Tactics of how to drive for better customer experience in teams and business
• Examples and case study of how AskBrian put customer (feedback) front and center of developing and growing the business. 
• Open Q&A with a Founder and a Strategy Advisor/ Business Angel/ Start-Up Coach. 

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.

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.