On April 7, 2025, the TechBase Regensburg hosted the event "Synergies in the Turning Point: Corporate cooperation and diversification opportunities for security and defense" took place at TechBase Regensburg.
The aim was to inform companies about the opportunities, requirements and risks arising from current geopolitical and technological changes. Particular attention was paid to new business opportunities in the security and defense industry (SVI) and the importance of cooperation between companies and with government institutions, especially in the area of civil protection and critical infrastructures.
The event, moderated by Uwe Pfeil, Cluster Manager of the Cluster Mobility & Logistics, began at 10:00 a.m. with a welcome address by Toni Lautenschläger, Head of the Office for Economy and Science of the City of Regensburg. This was followed by a video message from Tobias Gotthardt, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy of the Bavarian State Parliament.
A central element was the panel discussion on the topic of "Networked thinking about security: Industry, society and their common challenges", moderated by Sven Rochier, Project Manager for Security and Defense at TechHUB SVI of Bayern Innovativ GmbH. The panelists were:
- Dr.-Ing. Armin Engstle, AVL Software and Functions GmbH
- Dr. Matthias Kampmann, IT-Sicherheitscluster e.V.
- Prof. Dr. Markus Bresinsky, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg
- Stephan K. Fischer, FISCHER LICHT & METALL GmbH & Co. KG
The discussion revolved around the question of how companies and institutions can strategically position themselves in the face of global uncertainties and what role technology, education and interdisciplinary cooperation play in this.
Following the stimulating one-hour panel discussion, the approximately 150 participants had plenty of time to network and exchange ideas during the lunch break and accompanying trade exhibition, before the three parallel forums went into more depth.
Forum Software-Defined Defense: How digitalization, AI and logistics are shaping the future of defence.
Moderation: Uwe Pfeil, Cluster Manager of the Cluster Mobility & Logistics.
- Max Afflerbach, Associated Partner at Sprint Reply DE, and Peter Schiekofer, Partner at Autonomous Reply GmbH, presented the use of logistics approaches in the military using virtual reality and drones.
- Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Dorner, Vice President of Deggendorf Institute of Technology, spoke about the transition from Network-Centric Warfare to Software Defined Defence and the role of corresponding technologies in the battle of connected weapons.
Forum AI & Defense
Moderation: Natalie Schwab, Cluster Mobility & Logistics.
- Prof. Geralt Siebert, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Sustainable Development at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich, presented research work on artificial intelligence and defence at the Bundeswehr Center for Digitalization and Technology Research (dtec.bw).
- Andreas Gundel, Managing Director of the Aerospace bavAIRia e.V. cluster, explained new business opportunities in the field of AI in Airborne Systems.
Forum Civil protection from different perspectives
Moderated by Matthias Streller, Managing Director of Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e.V.
- Manuel Hart from Sentinum GmbH presented best practices on IoT solutions for civil protection.
- Sven Steinbauer from Traversals Analytics and Intelligence GmbH presented data platforms for civil protection using the Urban Heat Lab project as an example.
- Matthias Streller provided information on the cross-cluster project "RESY-Resiliente Systeme" and opportunities for cooperation in Bavaria.
The event served as a kick-off for regional networking in the field of security and defense technologies and offered the participating companies valuable insights and contacts for opening up new business areas in this sector
Specialist exhibitors
Bayerische Forschungsallianz (BayFOR) GmbH
Cluster Mobility & Logistics
dtec.bw – Zentrum für Digitalisierungs- und Technologieforschung der Bundeswehr
IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim
IT-Sicherheitslcuster e.V.
Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e.V.
Cooperation event
- AIR- Artificial Intelligence Regensburg
- Cluster Mobility & Logistics
- IHK Regensburg für Oberpfalz / Kelheim
- IT-Sicherheitscluster e.V.
- Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg (OTH)
- RESY - Resiliente Systeme
- Stadt Regensburg
- Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e.V.
- TechHub SVI
- Transform.r
NOTE
The event was part of the German government's transformation networks. The Regensburg-based project transform.r supports companies in coping with structural change in the automotive industry.