Profiting from the "young guns" - Report on the IHK panel discussion

Systematic collaboration with startups is a kind of life insurance for SMEs. Participants in the panel discussion as part of the "Digital Economy" event series organized by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria agreed on this point. Startups provide the high speed and innovation that SMEs need. This requires a willingness on both sides to overcome cultural differences.

The starting points of the panelists were very different: Daniel Niesler, Managing Director of FTAPI Software GmbH, is a classic Startup representativeFor him, the crucial difference between established and young companies is that some understand digital business models and others don't. This primarily involves the basics such as search engine optimization or digital marketing. Niesler promises SMEs more salesAn additional 30 percent is possible without a company having to delve into high technology.

The starting position of Dr. Ralf Hasler, Managing Partner and CEO of Lacon Electronic GmbHThe company works very closely with Startups together. Hasler can delivery, which young companies that develop hardware at some point needHe produces electronic devices for them, specifically for their intended use, individually and in small quantities. However, caution is essential when dealing with startups, as it's by no means certain that they will be able to pay for the order. "Unlike large companies, I can't afford an expensive hobby," says Hasler.

Peter Möhring comes from a traditional and established company, Giesecke and Devrient. The company has existed for 160 years because it has already achieved several transformations. He also heads the "Munich Security Network," a cooperation platform for IT and cybersecurity. “You can’t do it alone anymore”, Möhring is convinced and swears by the cooperation with young companies.

Read the full report on the event here on the IHK website. Photos of the event can be found on the Facebook page the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Munich Startup was also there and tweeted along. The hashtag for the event was #DigitalEconomy. It is particularly worth mentioning that throughout the entire event, the tweets were visible on a Twitter wall – we find: Great technology and also a great introduction to subsequent networking.

Tip: If you don’t follow Munich Startup on Twitter yet, you should do so as soon as possible ==> we are called on Twitter @munich_startup and keep you up to date daily with news from the startup scene in and around Munich!