The Optimist – Conversations with the leaders and industries shaping Europe’s digital future

Europe is standing at a turning point — technologically, politically, and economically.

In the first episode of season 2, Community Lead Moritz Schönleber welcomes Dr. Dale Rickert, Managing Director of TECH by Handelsblatt, and the voice behind The Optimist.

Press play and join the movement.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

Most “transformation” efforts flop – ada’s CEO Alexander Lorbeer explains why, what to do instead, and how AI might lead teams, but can’t replace your gut (yet).

For the final episode of Season 1, we’re getting real about a word everyone uses but few understand: transformation. Alexander Lorbeer, CEO of ada learning, has led it, resisted it, and now helps others learn how to do it.

Spoiler: innovation labs aren’t the answer. “You're creating two organizations within one… and most people don’t like to be part of the old.” Real change? It’s messy, internal, and can always go wrong. But: “Doing and doing things fast is much more important than analyzing and planning.”

As AI reshapes decision-making and team dynamics, Alexander has landed on a key mantra: “Growth rarely happens alone,” Also: critical thinking and gut instinct give us an edge over our AI colleagues – as well as not inviting them to your offsite. Yet.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

What if Europe’s edge in AI isn’t speed or scale – but trust, values, and smart rules? IBM’s Matthias Biniok makes the case for “Sovereign AI” as the new chance for the continent to win the tech race.

How sovereign is Europe's AI future?

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

Can the Mittelstand go global, go green, and go AI? EY’s Jan Brorhilker busts myths about Germany’s quiet powerhouses.

In this episode of The Optimist, Jan Brorhilker, Head of Assurance at EY Germany, pulls back the curtain on the Mittelstand – Germany’s often misunderstood economic powerhouse. As Jan puts it, “They're not slow. They're just very smart.” From century-old manufacturers to startup-savvy investors, Jan shows how family-run, carefully built firms are not relics of the past but agile players with a long-term mindset.

Brorhilker busts five persistent myths about the Mittelstand, including the idea that they resist change, can’t scale, or don’t care about AI. In fact, he reveals, “Everyone talks about AI. Few know what to do. Mittelstand just tries it – quietly.” With over 96% of Germany’s exports driven by these mid-sized firms, Jan makes a bold case: “That’s not regional. That’s global.” He shares how many Mittelstand companies are building stealth startups in Berlin, adopting remote work, and investing in innovation – without press releases.

At the same time, Jan doesn’t shy away from hard truths. He challenges the rising weight of red tape, warning, “Bureaucracy is rising like inflation. Small companies still find ways to move fast.” And while he’s bullish on the entrepreneurial spirit—“We underestimated the entrepreneurial spirit of German families. They’re still outperforming Europe” – he’s clear-eyed about what must change: energy costs, labor laws, and digital inefficiency.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

Don’t print this email: ServiceNow’s Robert Rosellen on why Europe’s biggest digital opportunity lies in the public sector.

What if digital transformation isn’t about flashy tech – but about making the mundane work better? Robert Rosellen, VP Sales and Country Manager Germany at ServiceNow, makes a strong case for automating everything from job onboarding to daycare requests.

He believes innovation in our all-day-every-day is underrated: “If you're an entrepreneur in Europe, think public sector. It’s where the next growth wave is happening.”

As the continent doubles down on sovereignty and digital infrastructure, ServiceNow is expanding fast, acquiring startups across Berlin and Prague. “We love complex problems,” he says, “but citizens don’t want complexity—they want clarity.” The real challenge? Mindset. “Technology isn’t the limiting factor—it's willingness to act.”

From digitizing schools and city services to streamlining healthcare,

➡️ Listen now to gain a new perspective on bureaucracy and tech.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

What if the next great industrial revolution doesn’t happen in factories – but in 3D? Sabine Scheunert, CEO Central Europe at Dassault Systèmes, joins The Optimist to explain how virtual twins are reshaping how we build cars, cities, and even save lives.

Dassault has been leading industrial 3D software for more than half a century. Now, they are taking the next leap, from simulating surgeries on digital hearts to optimizing entire supply chains before a single product is made. “The next transformation won’t happen in physical space. It will happen in the virtual one first.”

Scheunert also takes a strong stand on Europe’s tech future: “Europe may be slower, but that could be our superpower.” With sovereign infrastructure and deep expertise, the continent might win in the long run. Tune in now and hear why Sabine says we must “dare to lead.”

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

What happens when a top European banker and a leading VC team up to fix the continent’s tech funding gap? Join Marco Iannaccone (HypoVereinsbank/UniCredit) and Alexander Kudlich (Capital 468) for an unfiltered, optimistic take on why Europe’s startups struggle to scale – and how that’s about to change.

Both guests agree: Europe doesn’t suffer from a lack of innovation or ambition – it suffers from an underpowered funding landscape for growing companies. As Kudlich bluntly puts it, “We’re not just selling a fund. We’re selling an entire industry.” And Iannaccone, representing one of Europe’s largest banks, doesn’t shy away from calling out the systemic lag: “Europe is 25 years behind in growth financing. But we're finally learning where the value is – and we’re catching up fast.”

Together, they offer a candid diagnosis of why tech startups struggle to scale in Germany and all over Europe – and how new alliances between institutions and venture capital could change that. Kudlich outlines the next frontier: “The best companies in Europe today aren’t about pizza delivery—they’re launching GPUs into space.”

Along the way, the conversation smashes a few myths, like the idea that tech investments aren’t a fit for banks. Iannaccone is clear: “That’s a massive misconception.” HypoVereinsbank/UniCredit is playing a vital role in bridging the trust, education, and capital gap between traditional investors and tech founders. As Kudlich says, “Our worlds used to be far apart. Now we’re learning each other’s language – and building something together.”

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

The European automotive industry is under massive pressure — falling demand, shifting relations with the U.S. and strong competition from China. But what if that pressure is the perfect driver for transformation? In this episode, Frank Göller outlines why Europe still has what it takes to lead — from reinventing its production mindset and betting big on electrification to mastering AI.

Highlights we covered with Frank:

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team.