Dr Damian Dudek has been Managing Director of the VDE Information Technology Society since 2023. The VDE is one of the largest technology organisations in Europe, has stood for innovation and technological progress for more than 130 years and is a valuable partner for Deep Tech Berlin. Read more about Dr Dudek’s work and what makes Berlin such a special Deep Tech location in the interview.
For those who are not familiar with the VDE, can you give a brief overview of the VDE and its mission in the field of electrical engineering and technology?
The VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies is one of the largest technology organisations in Europe. For more than 130 years, it has stood for innovation and technological progress in the fields of electrical power engineering, electronics, information technology and computer science. The VDE is the only organisation in the world to unite science, standardisation, testing, certification and application consulting under one roof. More than 2,000 employees at over 60 locations worldwide, more than 100,000 volunteer experts and around 1,500 companies are involved in the VDE network to shape a future worth living: connected, digital, electric. For over 100 years, the VDE symbol has been synonymous with the highest safety standards and consumer protection. At the VDE Testing and Certification Institute, we test more than 100,000 electrotechnical devices, components and systems every year for their safety, electromagnetic compatibility and other
product characteristics. In addition, our experts at the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) in Germany are responsible for the development of standards, norms and safety regulations in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics and information technology.
How does the VDE view the importance of deep tech innovations in the context of modern electrical engineering and information technology?
Deep tech innovations are driving forward future technologies, enabling far-reaching changes in technology and society. Current topics such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing and robotics are aimed at finding alternatives to social and technical challenges and meeting them. They have the potential to make technical processes more efficient and use natural resources more sparingly. In addition, their advancement can secure the standard of living and, not least, technical leadership. After all, deep tech innovations are a driving force for Germany and Europe as an industrial location, particularly in the fields of electrical engineering and information technology.
- What initiatives or programmes does the VDE have to support start-ups and promote innovation?*
In principle, the VDE welcomes small and young companies in particular. Through VDE membership, they benefit from interdisciplinary networking opportunities, technology knowledge transfer between science and industry and many other advantages.
In 2024, the DKE will also award the DKE Startup Prize – All Electric Society for the first time. The aim is to promote innovative concepts and technologies that promote a sustainable and CO2-neutral energy supply. The winners will receive prize money of up to 3,000 euros, personalised coaching and twelve months’ free access to the VDE online standards library. They will also have the opportunity to present their ideas at the DKE Innovation Campus and engage in dialogue with a broad network of experts. One of the main objectives of the norms and standards developed by the DKE is to support young companies with specialist knowledge when setting up and establishing new businesses in order to transfer and position novel innovations on the market in a future-proof manner. The VDE Bayern Award also recognises outstanding start-ups.
- How do you see Berlin as a location for deep tech start-ups and innovation?*
Many of the innovations come from the academic sector, for example from universities or non-university research institutions. In most cases, young scientists advance their ideas in small groups. They are usually powerful and see a clear gap in the market. However, ideas often emerge from established companies that are supported by the company and can then grow and develop with measured risk. Berlin is a healthy place for start-ups and business ideas in that there are a large number of research institutions on site and in the surrounding area, where many highly qualified specialists work “under one roof” in one region. I would describe it as the Berlin-Brandenburg Valley of Innovation and Competence. There are also state institutions and private investors, which make it easier to finance a spin-off. A lot is already happening here in the field of photonics.
