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Germany, a country renowned for its technological brilliance and environmental consciousness, was the perfect destination for our study visit. From April 17 to 23, 2024, a small delegation from Montenegro embarked on a journey through the world of innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge technological achievements. Each day brought new discoveries, inspiration, and opportunities to establish valuable connections. Here is the story of our journey, which was much more than just work – it was an exploration of the future.
Our arrival in Berlin was filled with excitement and anticipation. The first destination was the Adlershof Technology Park, something like a scientific Disneyland built on the site of a World War II aircraft factory. Frank, our guide, took us through hallways filled with high-tech equipment and laboratories, bringing each corner to life with both historical stories and tales of successful companies that originated there. While Adlershof had always been a place of innovation, our time there made me reflect on how genius and technology, if not in service of a humane idea, can become the cause of much human suffering. At the same time, I thought about how many unused spaces in Podgorica could, with small investments, be transformed into creative hubs that could awaken the spirit of research and entrepreneurship in our community. From that moment until the end of our stay in Germany, I couldn’t stop thinking about how such a space was exactly what we needed when my brother and I tried to build a “small helicopter” back in elementary school.
After Adlershof, we stepped into the world of cybersecurity with a visit to DCSO. Christin Wilkenman led us through their offices, showing us the relaxation area and team-building games room. When she mentioned the annual subscription fee of 4000 euros for membership in the community, we realized just how seriously Germany takes the protection of digital resources.
We ended the day at the EUREF Campus, a green epicenter for sustainable energy technologies. Ursula Hermann guided us through this “city within a city” where technology and sustainability merge in an inspiring way. After seeing solar panels, wind turbines, and wastewater recycling systems, we left the campus full of ideas and enthusiasm.
We started the second day at the Embassy of Montenegro in Berlin. It felt wonderful to be at home as we discussed opportunities for cooperation and market trends in Germany. As we were told, despite being in a recession and facing a large influx of migrants, Germany has liberalized its citizenship acquisition conditions and increased the quota for accepting foreigners, especially those with STEM skills. Now, instead of requiring 10 years of residence to obtain citizenship, it only takes 7 years, and this year alone, up to 50,000 people from our region will be accepted. The main reasons for this decision, as explained by Zdravko Jovović and Dijana Ralević, who were our hosts and supporters in organizing this study visit, are the aging population and labor shortage.
After the embassy, our journey took us to Hubraum and the T-Labs research center of Deutsche Telekom Group. Their story about investing in startups that use WiFi sensors was fascinating. In the future, telecom operators will be able to identify the number of people in a room, the presence of animals, heartbeats, pulse, and much more, all with the help of routers emitting WiFi signals. For example, if you accidentally choke on popcorn while watching a movie and lose consciousness, your router will send information to emergency services, triggering them to turn on the sirens and come to the scene. Similarly, if an elderly person is alone at home, the router can identify their fall anywhere in the space and send a notification to the person responsible for their care.
Of course, this technology raises numerous questions about privacy protection and the range of WiFi signals—what if my neighbor’s router can detect changes and movements in my apartment? In cases like this, even GDPR, the guardian angel of privacy within the EU, remains silent.
Hubraum is currently looking for creative ideas on how to apply WiFi sensing technology. Anyone with an idea can present it to their team, and if they like it, they will provide financial support, engineering knowledge, and their infrastructure for testing the idea.
At the Urban Impact Agency, we were warmly welcomed by Sophie Persieghl, who shared their story about projects that are transforming urban environments. Their platform, which maps and dissects the entire innovative ecosystem, showed us how dedicated they are to changing the world for the better. The “Sustainability Challenge” project, which combines innovation and sustainability, truly inspired all of us.
The evening meeting with BVIZ was a real discovery. Dr. Christina Quensel and Denny Droßmann shared their vision of supporting tech hubs across Germany. Their energy and passion for innovation left a strong impression on us.
The third day brought a series of meetings with potential partners. At GTAI, we discussed opportunities for establishing companies in the German market. Isabel da Silva Matos and Anja Quiring shared insights about the support available for foreign companies and the challenges posed by bureaucracy. Sarah Gholiha from the Startup Hub Initiative Germany showed us how easy it is to get support if you’re producing something, rather than just offering services. We also met with representatives of the ICT cluster Berlin Partner, where we discussed cluster sustainability models.
A visit to the Ahoy coworking space shattered our perception that everyone in Germany is as punctual as a “Swiss watch.” With several delays and changes to the initial agreement on-site, we continued the planned meeting with Michael Gannon from Stun and Awe, an international business development consultant with decades of experience. His vast knowledge and advice provided valuable insights into the challenges and advantages of starting a business in Germany.
On the fourth day, we took the opportunity to explore Berlin. A stroll through the city, tasting local specialties, and preparing for the trip to Hannover were our ways to reflect on the experiences and recharge our energy. We visited famous Berlin landmarks, enjoyed coffee by the Spree River, and discussed everything we had seen and learned.
Hannover greeted us with the grand opening of Hannover Messe 2024. The atmosphere was incredible, and speakers like Ursula von der Leyen and Chancellor Olaf Scholz made the ceremony unforgettable. We joined the crowd at the networking event that lasted until the early hours, exchanging ideas and contacts with people from all over the world.
The last two days of the fair were truly technological wonders. Exhibitors, from Google to Microsoft, showcased their achievements in artificial intelligence and automation. We walked among the latest technological innovations, absorbing knowledge and establishing contacts that will be key to the future of our companies. Seeing how technology is being used to optimize resources and reduce negative environmental impacts was both inspiring and encouraging.
Our trip to Germany was much more than just a business mission. It was an exploration of the world of innovation, learning from best practices, and making connections that will shape the future of our companies. Germany taught us that innovation is not only about technology but also about the way we think. We returned full of new ideas, inspiration, and ready for new challenges.
