Mann+Hummel GmbH

We've been deeply rooted in northwest Germany for nearly 100 years, and we're proud to be one of the leading energy companies in the German sector. Our team of about 9,000 people works every day to connect energy, telecommunications, and IT - three essential industries that are shaping our future. We supply green energy, secure networks, and high-speed internet to communities across our regions, supporting everything from residential homes to large municipalities and businesses. Our approach is hands-on and practical: we're actively building wind farms, expanding fiber optic networks, developing hydrogen storage solutions, and rolling out charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. We believe the energy transition and digitalization go hand in hand, and we're committed to making both work for the people in our regions.

agilimo Consulting develops individually designed solutions for IT security and enterprise mobility, uniting usability with modern cybersecurity. The company supports national and international customers with IT security made in Germany, providing high-performance, scalable solutions for ultra-mobile and highly secure working environments. As a member of ITSMIG, agilimo fulfills the five criteria of the TeleTrusT trust mark, ensuring complete data sovereignty and adherence to German data protection regulations. With over two decades of project experience in IT security and mobility solutions, agilimo delivers comprehensive services including Security Operations Center (SOC), managed mobile security with Apple Indigo, secure messaging via Wire, external exposure defense through Darkscan, and complete IT operations management. The company operates from four German locations with over 60 employees, serving clients across the entire usage cycle from procurement and technical configuration to rollout and service handling. Their ISO 27001 certified operations prioritize both highest data security and user-friendly application.

Easelink is a high-tech company headquartered in Graz, Austria, dedicated to revolutionizing electric vehicle charging through Matrix Charging® – the future automated conductive charging standard. Founded in 2016, Easelink has developed a patented technology that enables electric vehicles to charge automatically whenever parked, eliminating the need for manual cable handling and maximizing charging time. With over 80 patents filed worldwide, Easelink's technology is the most cost-effective and energy-efficient automated charging solution on the market. The company has secured significant funding including €11.5 million to advance automated EV charging standardization. Easelink collaborates with leading automotive manufacturers including Audi, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Volvo, as well as infrastructure partners. The company operates globally with headquarters in Austria and a subsidiary in Beijing, employing over 50 professionals and scaling sustainably. Through international standardization processes with IEC and ISO, Easelink is establishing Matrix Charging® as the global standard for automated EV charging.

We're the world market leader for climate operating and control units, and we've built our reputation as the go-to specialists for outstanding HMI (Human Machine Interface) systems in the automotive industry. Founded in 1999 as a joint venture between Behr and Hella, we've grown into a team of 3,150 people across multiple continents, all working together to create products that make every drive more comfortable and intuitive. Our work spans from climate operating panels and control units to Center Information Displays and integrated center stacks. We became part of the AUO family in 2024, which has opened new doors for innovation and growth. What drives us every day is the challenge of turning complex technical requirements into elegant, user-friendly solutions that our customers and their passengers genuinely enjoy using.

b2venture is a European venture firm that exists to transform how early-stage startups access capital and expertise. Founded in 2000 as BrainsToVentures, the firm emerged from the recognition that entrepreneurs in Europe lacked the support structures available elsewhere. By building an unparalleled community of angel investors and venture professionals, b2venture provides the fuel ambitious founders need at the earliest stages when capital is hardest to secure. The firm invests between EUR 250,000 and EUR 5 million in Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A rounds, specifically targeting digital and industrial technology companies poised for breakthrough impact. What makes b2venture unique is its multi-generational approach to venture capital. Rather than simply writing checks, the firm creates a virtuous cycle where successful entrepreneurs become angel investors, mentoring the next generation of outliers. This collaborative model has backed companies like DeepL, SumUp, and Raisin - startups that have grown into European technology champions. By leveraging the collective wisdom of its angel community alongside disciplined investment processes, b2venture provides founders with more than capital; they gain partners who understand the challenges of building extraordinary businesses and stay committed from seed stage through IPO.

Schwarz IT is the technological heartbeat of the Schwarz Group, one of the world's leading retail organizations with over 575,000 employees and 13,900 stores across more than 30 countries. With annual revenue exceeding 167 billion euros, Schwarz IT manages the entire digital infrastructure and software solutions for the Group's retail divisions Lidl and Kaufland, as well as Schwarz Produktion, PreZero, and Schwarz Digits. The company has established itself as one of Germany's largest IT players, covering the complete food value chain through state-of-the-art digital solutions and services. Operating from multiple international locations including Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, and Romania, Schwarz IT delivers comprehensive IT expertise spanning classic software development, IT consulting, artificial intelligence applications, and IT security. The organization employs a solution-driven approach built on partnership, ownership, vision-driven innovation, and enthusiasm. Schwarz IT manages critical technology platforms including SAP systems, Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure, STACKIT (the European sovereign cloud), and enterprise security platforms. The company serves as the backbone for one of Europe's largest retail groups, processing operations for 6 billion customers while maintaining excellence in quality, stability, and cost-effectiveness.