From Postcard Region to Technology Powerhouse: How Central Europe Can Scale Hidden Champions into Global Tech Leaders

For decades, Central Europe has been admired for its quality of life, engineering tradition, and industrial heritage. Yet the region remains underrepresented among the world's leading technology companies.

Why? And what must change to transform technological excellence into global market leadership?

Drawing on TTTech's journey from a university spin-off to a globally trusted technology partner, Georg Kopetz offers a personal perspective on the challenges and opportunities of scaling technology companies from Central Europe. The keynote will explore the critical role of entrepreneurial ambition, patient growth capital, international partnerships, and ecosystem development in building globally competitive champions.

The timing could hardly be better. Transformational technology waves including Physical AI, autonomous systems, intelligent industrial infrastructure, affordable renewable energy, and the emerging space economy are reshaping global industries. These developments play directly to Central Europe's strengths: engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing, industrial know-how, and scientific depth.

Central Europe is approaching a historic opportunity to create the next generation of global technology leaders with long-term value creation.

The question is no longer whether Central Europe can produce relevant technology innovators, but what we must do, collectively, to scale more existing regional hidden champions into global tech leaders and unlock the full economic potential