The digital Davids and the non-tech traditional Goliaths must dance together

The digital Davids and the non-tech traditional Goliaths must dance together

by Alberto Onetti

Julie Meyer just published on Business Life an interesting analysis about the German new-tech scene and the fast-growing Berlin startup ecosystem.

In particular, there is one specific point I totally agree with — what’s missing in Berlin and the European startup ecosystem: “No one I met seemed interested in engaging with what I’m convinced is going to be the hard work of the next ten years, in Germany and across the Continent – getting the digital Davids and the non-tech traditional Goliaths, whether they be banks, insurance companies, retailers or media firms, to build collaborative models that create value for Germany and Europe. Most European venture funds are simply looking for which US tech platform firm they can sell their startup to.”

“I don’t doubt that these great entrepreneurs will be successful, but will they create an alternative system where value accrues to the old economy in Germany? What about the nine-tenths of the German iceberg that are manufacturing, engineering and energy? How will it engage with digital applications and services?”

“The real game is about helping Deutsche Bank, Metro, Allianz and others access net new digital revenues.”

I copy that. This is exactly what we are aiming to do with Startup Europe Partnership: Having the digital Davids and the non-tech traditional Goliaths dance together. They must. Not for having fun. But for surviving and scaling up.

On February 12th we will be in Germany (in Berlin) for our next SEP Matching Event: as usual we will bring together established corporates and top notch startups from all over Europe. Let’s dance!