Past Events

AI Agents as Game Changers The agent economy is revolutionizing how businesses operate. AI-powered agents automate business processes, optimize customer service, and promise impressive ROI potential. But how can mid-market companies leverage this technology in practice? Which processes are best suited for automation? And where do the opportunities and challenges lie? At this cDinner, executives, founders, entrepreneurs, academics, and investors will discuss the practical implementation of agent systems in mid-market businesses. Tobias Gärtner from Google Cloud will share insights into current developments and best practices in his keynote. Participation is free – each participant pays for their own order. No participant limit.

The Chinese New Year 2026 (Year of the Fire Horse) will have just passed – traditionally a time for new beginnings and fresh connections. We're using this moment to build bridges between China and Germany! At this cDinner, we bring together CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors as well as members of the Association for the Promotion of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Lower Saxony (VFCN - from various industries to foster German-Chinese business exchange. Particularly in Lower Saxony, a significant economic hub with strong international ties, there is great potential for cooperation between both countries. Keynote: Lei Wang, Chairman of the VFCN, will share insights into successful German-Chinese business relationships and his perspective as a bridge-builder between both cultures. The exact venue in Braunschweig will be announced after registration. Participation is free – each participant pays for their own order.

How is blockchain technology transforming the way we handle physical assets? What new possibilities do smart contracts create for transparency, ownership security, and trading of real-world assets? The tokenization of real world assets - from real estate and artworks to vehicles - creates new pathways for tamper-proof documentation, transparent ownership records, and efficient transactions. Blockchain technology enables complete provenance tracking, manipulation-proof documentation of ownership transfers, and the development of innovative business models. At this cDinner, we'll discuss the practical applications of these technologies with Thomas Janeke, CFO and co-founder of vountain. What societal and economic opportunities do decentralized systems offer? Where do current challenges lie? And how can established companies benefit from these developments? The cDinner is aimed at CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors from all industries. The exact venue in Hanover will be announced after registration. Participation is free of charge - each participant pays for their own order.

As a hired CEO, you navigate a field of tension: responsibility to the outside world, but limited power on the inside. Between board expectations and workforce pressure, between ambitious forecasts and operational reality – how do you walk this tightrope? At this exclusive cDinner, we invite max. 10 hired CEOs for a confidential exchange of experiences. We'll discuss topics including: How are forecasts created and communicated? How do I handle pressure from the board and pressure from the workforce? What room for maneuver do I really have – and where are the limits? Henri Kühnert, (CEO of CEO-Transform & CEO of b10 VC), will provide a brief impulse from his practice to set the stage.

At the cDinner on January 28, 2026 in Hanover, we welcome Janos Pankau, CEO of StudIngs from Braunschweig. StudIngs is a student-run engineering consultancy where students of engineering and natural sciences work on real projects for companies alongside their studies – whether it's uncovering inefficiencies, optimizing processes, or digitalizing workflows. Janos Pankau will share his practical experiences with us: How young, motivated talents with fresh academic knowledge drive companies forward, what challenges arise in the process, and what established leaders can learn from this generation. The cDinner is aimed at executives, founders, managers, investors, and professors – across all industries. The venue (restaurant) will be announced after registration. Participation is free of charge, all guests pay for their own orders.

Artificial intelligence for object recognition is no longer a distant future – yet many companies face the question: How do I deploy this technology concretely and profitably? In this cDinner, Anett Hübner, CEO of startwit Technologies, explores how AI-based object recognition works in practice and what business value it delivers. She demonstrates how objects in dynamic scenarios – from logistics and mobility to production – can be reliably detected. You will learn: How AI systems identify and classify objects in real-time Which specific use cases suit your business – from anomaly detection and situational awareness to process optimization What you need technically and organizationally to successfully deploy AI object recognition Why adaptability, control, and hardware independence are critical success factors This event is aimed at CEOs, founders, and decision-makers who want not only to understand AI but to leverage it strategically for their organizations. Location: Braunschweig – the restaurant will be announced after registration Participation: Attendance is free of charge. Each participant pays for their own order.

Kick off the new year with us! At the first cDinner of 2026, we're combining our annual kickoff with a fascinating look into the world of semiconductor technology. Keynote: Chip Design – What Does a Microchip Look Like on the Inside? We all use chips and microprocessors every day – in smartphones, computers, cars, and countless other devices. But what happens when you zoom into the inside of these tiny marvels? Jens Benndorf, CEO of Dreamchip Technologies, takes us on a visual journey through the architecture of modern chips, revealing the engineering artistry behind every processor. cDinner brings together CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors – cross-industry and open to all who want to network and get inspired. Further Information: - Participation is free of charge - Everyone pays for their own order - The venue in Hannover will be announced after registration

Which wine do we enjoy? What does wine have to do with business? And what does a wine tasting have to do with conflict resolution? We will discuss these and other questions at the cDinner on December 17th. This topic will be introduced and moderated for the 2nd time by Sabine Hainbach. Agenda: 7:00 PM arrival - then various topics until 9:00 PM end. Location: Hannover

AI Meetup – Discover, Try Out, Connect At this meetup, we combine insights with hands-on practice. What you should bring: - A device (laptop, smartphone, or tablet) - Charger - Curiosity and a willingness to experiment Whether you're new to AI or an experienced user — everyone is welcome who wants to explore AI possibilities together and connect with like-minded people.

The VC investor SCALEHOUSE has never invested in a startup/company from Hanover? Why is that? What have we not yet understood? How does a VC think? Jesse Jeng, Co-Founder of SCALEHOUSE, provides answers to these and other questions. Participants include founders, entrepreneurs, investors, professors, and managing directors. Agenda: 19:00 Arrival, 19:10 Keynote by Jesse Jeng, 19:20 Discussion in large group, 19:30 Dinner & Discussion at tables of 5, 21:00 End

BioTech & LifeScience are high-tech fields in which Germany is strong and which we should continue to expand. At the cDinner on December 3rd, we will discuss: What is LifeScience and BioTech? Which (local) companies work in these fields and how can you get involved? We will be introduced to the topic through a keynote by Laila Al-Halabi-Frenzel. Agenda: 19:00 Arrival, 19:10 Welcome & Keynote, 19:20 Discussion in plenary 19:30 Networking and discussion at tables of 5 during dinner 21:00 End

The year is coming to an end – time for our cDinner Christmas event! We'll celebrate together with a festive Feuerzangenbowle (German fire tongs punch), look back on 2025, and look ahead to 2026. Thorsten Lutz, an experienced production and technical manager with 13 years at Bosch and 10 years at Weinig Group, has organized a special Christmas location for us and will prepare the Feuerzangenbowle – a highlight that combines tradition and enjoyment. Agenda: 19:00 – Arrival 19:10 – Welcome & Feuerzangenbowle 19:30 – Networking and conversation at tables of 5 during dinner 21:00 – End This event is aimed at CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors who want to end the year together in a relaxed, festive atmosphere – across all industries. The venue in Hannover will be announced after registration. Participation is free of charge, all participants pay for their own orders.

What is "Digital Sovereignty"? What are its advantages and disadvantages? And how can I achieve it? How dependent are we on IT providers (from abroad)? How secure is our data/information within our own company? Why do we choose Cloud vs. On Premise? We will discuss these questions together with Simon Künzel, CEO and Co-Owner of kyberio GmbH. kyberio has been an independent German provider of hosting, cloud, and colocation services from Hannover for over 25 years. The company offers high availability, data protection, and true independence from data centers in Germany – certified by BSI according to IT-Grundschutz and ISO 27001 as well as PCI-DSS v4.0. As an expert in digital sovereignty and secure IT infrastructures, Simon Künzel provides insights into practical implementation and challenges. Agenda: 19:00 – Arrival 19:10 – Keynote by Simon Künzel 19:20 – Discussion in plenary 19:30 – Networking and discussion at tables of 5 during dinner 20:30 – Tour of kyberio's server rooms 21:00 – End This event is aimed at CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors who want to implement digital sovereignty in their organizations – across all industries. The venue in Hannover will be announced after registration. Participation is free of charge, all participants pay for their own orders.

'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face' - Mike Tyson. When such an extreme situation occurs, how do we make decisions? And how do we find a good decision? We will discuss these questions together with Fritz Geers, an ultra-cyclist who crossed the USA by bike in 10 days and will pick us up with his keynote. Agenda: 19:00 Arrival, 19:10 Keynote, 19:20 Discussion in plenary, 19:30 Networking and discussion at tables of 5 during dinner, 21:00 End

Where can AI be used? Where is it already advanced enough and where is it user-friendly? Which AI projects are interesting for an AI institute? We will discuss these questions together with Prof. Dr. Marius Lindauer, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Leibniz University Hannover and Head of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence (LUH|AI). Marius Lindauer is internationally renowned for his research in AutoML (Automated Machine Learning), which makes AI accessible to non-experts. He was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2022 and researches how AI applications can become more efficient, understandable, and usable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Agenda: 19:00 – Arrival 19:10 – Keynote by Marius Lindauer 19:20 – Discussion in plenary 19:30 – Networking and discussion at tables of 5 during dinner 21:00 – End This event is particularly aimed at CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors who want to implement AI in their organizations – across all industries. The venue (restaurant) in Hannover will be announced after registration. Participation is free of charge, all participants pay for their own orders.

How do work requirements differ in the Gulf States compared to Germany? How does the work mentality differ? What about the order situation? What do I need to consider when doing business with the Gulf States? We will discuss these questions together with Ziad Salem, Strategic Supplier Manager at Novus. Novus is a German premium manufacturer of electric lightweight motorcycles made from carbon fiber and handcrafted – true works of art on wheels. As Strategic Supplier Manager at Novus, Ziad Salem brings valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of international business with the Gulf region, from cultural differences to practical business strategies. Agenda: 19:00 – Arrival 19:10 – Keynote by Ziad Salem 19:20 – Discussion in plenary 19:30 – Networking and discussion at tables of 5 during dinner 21:00 – End This event is aimed at CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors who want to build or understand international business relationships with the Gulf States – across all industries. The venue (restaurant) in Braunschweig will be announced after registration. Participation is free of charge, all participants pay for their own orders.

Established businesses face a critical transformation: digitalization, automation, and cost efficiency are no longer future concepts but necessary steps to remain competitive. The government supports this transformation through numerous funding programs for innovative projects. But how do you identify which projects truly qualify as innovative? How do you strategically approach a funding project? And what realistic expectations should you have? At the cDinner on November 5, 2025, in Hannover, we will discuss these questions together with Marc-Philipp Graf von Bethusy-Huc, partner in the fiber composite industry, business angel, and experienced funding consultant. Agenda: 7:00 PM – Arrival & Networking 7:10 PM – Keynote "Government Funding" by Marc-Philipp Graf von Bethusy-Huc 7:20 PM – Group Discussion 7:30 PM – Networking and In-Depth Conversations at Tables of Five 9:00 PM – End of Event The cDinner is aimed at CEOs, founders, executives, investors, and professors across all industries. The exact venue (restaurant) will be announced after registration. Participation: Free of charge, each participant pays for their own order.

What does the business world in Dubai look like? What is it like to relocate your business there? How does it all compare to Germany? We will discuss these questions at the cDinner on October 29th with our keynote speaker Oliver Duras, who is spending his last days in Germany before moving to Dubai with his family and business partners to continue their 3D business. Agenda: 7:00 PM Arrival, 7:10 PM Keynote by Oliver, 7:20 PM Group discussion, 7:30 PM Networking and discussion at tables of 5, 9:00 PM End. Location: Hannover

The cDinner started as a 5-person blind business dinner with open topics. At 7:00 PM, exciting participants who usually don't know each other beforehand meet at the table. After brief small talk, we order our food. Then one person begins with a short introduction. The introduction continues around the table. Usually, the food is already being served by the time the introduction round is finished. During the meal, an open discussion develops about topics that move us or topics that caught our attention during the introductions. At the beginning, the conversation is sometimes a bit awkward. But in the end, everyone is surprised that it's already 9:00 PM and the dinner is slowly coming to an end. Finally, everyone happily pays their bill for their orders with the staff.

The cDinner started as a 5-person blind business dinner with open topics. At 7:00 PM, exciting participants who usually don't know each other beforehand meet at the table. After brief small talk, we order our food. Then one person begins with a short introduction. The introduction continues around the table. Usually, the food is already being served by the time the introduction round is finished. During the meal, an open discussion develops about topics that move us or topics that caught our attention during the introductions. At the beginning, the conversation is sometimes a bit awkward. But in the end, everyone is surprised that it's already 9:00 PM and the dinner is slowly coming to an end. Finally, everyone happily pays their bill for their orders with the staff.

Quantum computing is a promising technology. Unlike current computers that work with bits (as 1 and 0), quantum computers work with so-called qubits – a superposition of 1 and 0. Imagine a globe where 1 is the North Pole and 0 is the South Pole: Our computers can only work with these two poles, while a quantum computer can work with all points on the globe's surface. We will discuss how advanced this technology already is and what opportunities and risks it presents at the cDinner on October 22nd in Hanover. Andreea will provide a brief keynote on the topic. Agenda: 7:00 PM Arrival, 7:10 PM Keynote, 7:20 PM Group discussion, 7:30 PM Discussion and networking at tables of 5 during dinner, 9:00 PM End

The Metaverse seems to be (from my perspective) continuously developing in the background. The company Meta is increasingly focusing on it, betting that the Metaverse will continue to grow. To gain insights into this topic, we will hear a short keynote from Benjamin Suhr at the cDinner on 15.10.25 and then discuss this and other topics together. Agenda: 19:00 - Arrival 19:10 - Keynote by Benjamin Suhr 19:20 - Discussion in the "large" group 19:30 - Discussion at tables of 5 during dinner 21:00 - End

SaaS applications that required a lot of work to create just a few years ago can now be built in a short time using AI. This reduces the value of SaaS applications. But does this mean the value of all SaaS drops to zero? Which applications still retain value? We'll discuss these and other questions at cDinner on October 15th. Marek will lead us on this topic with his keynote, showing us how he generates a SaaS application in just a few minutes. Agenda: 7:00 PM Arrival, 7:10 PM Keynote, 7:20 PM Group Discussion, 7:30 PM Networking and Discussion at Tables of 5 During Dinner, 9:00 PM End

Discover the future of space exploration and how Space Tech is transforming our world. At the cDinner on October 8th, we'll discuss current developments in space technology. Learn how Space Tech enables new business models and solves global challenges. Agenda: 7:00 PM – Arrival 7:10 PM – Keynote by Kai Höfner 7:20 PM – Discussion in Large Group 7:30 PM – Dinner & Discussion at Tables of Five 9:00 PM – End of Event

Discover how sustainability transforms from a mere cost factor into a profitable business model. This event showcases practical strategies and success stories from companies that have integrated environmental and social responsibility into their core operations. Learn how sustainable business practices drive innovation and create long-term value.

Virtual Reality is primarily associated with gaming. To evaluate this thesis in a well-founded manner, we will meet at Zero Latency to experience Virtual Reality together. We will receive VR headsets and meet in the VR room, where you will get to know and assess the new technology. Afterwards, we will discuss our experiences over dinner, particularly focusing on the business applications of VR.

Warm-up for Startup Day on September 17th: We're bringing together entrepreneurs, executives, founders, investors, and professors around the topic of "Venture Clienting". The core concept: Established companies know real problems but often lack the capacity or approaches to solve them. Startups are looking for exactly these market signals and directions for their development. When problem owners meet problem solvers, combined with research and capital, productive synergies emerge. Agenda: • 7:00 PM – Arrival & Networking • 7:10 PM – Welcome & Keynote on Venture Clienting • 7:20 PM – Open Discussion • 7:30 PM – In-depth Conversations at Tables of 5 During Dinner • 8:30 PM – Group Photo • 8:35 PM – Continued Discussions • 10:00 PM – End Location: MisterQ, Hannover

Which wine do we enjoy? What does wine have to do with business? And what does a wine tasting have to do with conflict resolution? We will discuss these and other questions at the cDinner on December 17th. This topic will be introduced and moderated for the 2nd time by Sabine Hainbach. Agenda: 7:00 PM arrival - then various topics until 9:00 PM end. Location: Hannover

AI agents are entering our lives. They can scrape websites, search for and contact customers, answer phone calls and make calls independently. At the cDinner on September 3rd, we discussed how our economy and society will develop in the future as AI becomes increasingly powerful and autonomous. Will there be AI agents in the future that work for me as purchasers? Or in sales? Or in accounting? Omar Ezzat guided us to the topic with a keynote. Agenda: 19:00 Arrival 19:10 Welcome and keynote, 19:20 Discussion in large group 19:30 Networking and discussion at tables of 5 during dinner 21:00 End

How do I scale a running business? What problems will arise? What do I need to consider? What should I know beforehand? These questions arise for founders and executives who want to scale their business. To discuss these questions, we met at cDinner on August 27th with Thilo Haas, who brought us closer to the topic and his experiences with his keynote. Agenda: 19:00 Arrival 19:10 Welcome 19:15 Keynote and discussion at table 1 20:00 Keynote and discussion at table 2 21:00 End

Biodiversity is underestimated and underrepresented in the whole discussion about sustainability. What does biodiversity actually mean? Why is it important and who is working on it? We discussed these questions at the cDinner on August 13th.

Which wine do we enjoy? What does wine have to do with business? And what does a wine tasting have to do with conflict resolution? We discussed these and other questions at the cDinner on August 6th. This topic was introduced and moderated by Sabine Hainbach, who guided us through the wines and the evening. Agenda: 7:00 PM arrival - then various topics until 9:00 PM end. Location: Hannover

ChatGPT is currently the fastest service to reach 100M users. We are doing more and more through it - and more and more products and services are being searched for through it. So how can our companies be found better there? We discussed this question at the cDinner on July 16th. Anna Pianka gave us a keynote on the topic at both tables as a basis for discussion. Agenda: 7:00 PM Arrival 7:10 PM Welcome 7:15 PM Keynote Table 1 8:00 PM Keynote Table 2 9:00 PM End Here you find articles about this cDinner:

How do I optimize value creation in my company? Which processes are related to value creation? Which are not? What does this have to do with LEAN? We got answers to these questions at the cDinner on July 9th at the company Kling&Freitag and discussed them. In advance, Jonathan Freitag and Tobias Schönfelder worked on a joint project on this topic and presented us with the results while we ate pizza in the production hall. Agenda: 19:00 arrival, 19:15 welcome and keynote - with pizza 19:30 discussion in large group, 19:45 factory tour and discussion in small groups. 21:00 end

To get ready for Hannover's biggest startup event, UNLEASH on June 26, 2025, we're meeting on June 25 for a warmup dinner with executives, entrepreneurs, founders, and investors. It became the largest cDinner to date with over 40 participants who networked extensively with each other.

Almost everything you can imagine as a product already exists. Additionally, it's becoming easier for us to create new prototypes, for example through 3D printing. But what should actually be considered in product design? What do product designers need to know and be able to do? We discussed these questions with Gunnar Spellmeyer. To get us in the mood for the topic, he gave a short keynote at the table - without a screen, only with images in mind. Agenda: 7:00 PM Arrival, 7:10 PM Introduction round, 7:20 PM Keynote, 7:30 PM Discussion at the table during dinner, 9:00 PM End

How can companies find suitable students and future employees? How can students get to know companies with real challenges? To address these questions, we met at the cDinner on May 28th to get to know each other and understand each other's perspectives.

Virtual Reality is primarily associated with gaming. To be able to assess this thesis in a well-founded manner, we met at Zero Latency in Hannover to experience Virtual Reality together. Tom Wojtera was our host who guided us through virtual worlds and introduced us to VR technology. We received VR headsets and met in the VR room, where we got to know and evaluate the new technology. Afterwards, we discussed the experiences over dinner, particularly focusing on business applications of VR. Agenda: 17:30 Arrival, 17:40 Welcome, 17:45 VR Round 1, 18:15 VR Round 2, 18:45 VR Round 3, 19:15 Dinner & Discussion, 21:00 End.

Since many already have appointments at Hannover Messe or are looking for a reason to go there, we arranged the first large cDinner meeting right at Hannover Messe. We met in the Startup Area in Hall 2. Over 40 participants came - some because they knew about it, some because they happened to pass by. Everyone got to know each other wonderfully and exchanged ideas. Host Ina Görzen also organized a kind of dinner for everyone.