Handelsblatt Media Group, Handelsblatt and Schwarz Digits launch TECH to strengthen Europe's technological competitiveness

With the Technology Experience Convention Heilbronn (TECH), the Handelsblatt Media Group, Handelsblatt and Schwarz Digits have created a strategic platform to strengthen innovation and the economic ecosystem in Europe in the long term. At the center is an annual convention, which will be held for the first time from May 25 - 27, 2025 in Heilbronn - the location of the largest innovation park for artificial intelligence in Europe. 

The goal of the initiative is to find answers to crucial questions about Europe's technological future: What role will Europe play in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, robotics, quantum computing, space exploration, and biotechnology? How competitive are European companies, and what technological capabilities does the continent need to secure its current and future security and sovereignty interests? 

The event brings together around 1,000 high-ranking decision-makers from politics, business and science in a specially designed mobile city on Heilbronn's Theresienwiese. In addition to keynotes and panel discussions, great emphasis is placed on bilateral meetings and small group exchanges to specifically foster collaborations, synergies, and concrete partnerships. 

"With TECH, we are creating the technological heart of Europe. Europe's innovative strength, sovereignty and cooperation across national borders are crucial to ensuring the  competitiveness of the continent in the long term. Our platform brings together the most relevant players to actively shape this future," says Andrea Wasmuth, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Handelsblatt Media Group. 

"Right now, we need a forum that brings together thought leaders from business, politics and science to develop pioneering solutions for the most pressing challenges. TECH will be exactly this place - a catalyst for new partnerships and pioneering solutions," adds Sebastian Matthes, Editor-in-Chief of Handelsblatt. 

TECH is designed as a European, collaborative platform. This path is supported by a 
growing group of committed corporate partners. As a Founding Partner, Schwarz Digits will play a key role in shaping the TECH initiative together with the Handelsblatt Media Group. The founding initiators also include the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Dassault Systèmes, SAP and Christ & Company. Specific topic areas are strategically supported and developed further by Horváth as a thematic partner. Within the next few weeks, we look forward to securing additional strategic partners who will actively champion and support TECH's mission.

"Global challenges require a European response based on an integrative approach. TECH will bring together leading minds from the fields of technology, science, politics and business to develop concrete solutions and to strengthen Europe's sovereignty in in key areas such as digitalization and artificial intelligence," says Rolf Schumann, Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits. 

TECH employs an integrated platform approach within a B2B model. In addition to the annual  convention, members and corporate groups gain exclusive access to resources such as newsletters,  live talks, whitepapers, and interactive workshops. This fosters ongoing exchange, year-round knowledge sharing, and close networking to sustainably strengthen dialogue and innovation beyond the event itself. Access is available starting from three licenses. 

Further information on the platform and the annual conference can be found at: www.tech-europe.org