After the Crash: Building a Useful Local AI Economy in Germany
After the Crash: Building a useful local AI economy in Germany
If investment becomes more selective and subsidized AI services become more expensive, which applications will remain useful, commercially viable and worth maintaining?
Join Æthos and Solveri for an evening exploring how Germany can turn its research, engineering talent and industrial expertise into AI tools that create lasting local value.
“After the Crash” is a scenario for discussion, not a prediction. The question matters whatever happens to the market: how do we fund, build and sustain AI that solves real problems for German businesses?
What we’ll explore
Useful AI for real work. Where can task-specific models and custom software improve quality inspection, document processing and everyday workflows? When does local deployment make sense, and when is a hosted model or conventional software the better choice?
From expertise to adoption. How can developers work with the people who understand a business’s practical demands to build tools that fit and deliver measurable improvements?
Investment that builds local capability. What would persuade investors and customers to back applied AI for German industry and smaller firms? Where can public funding help?
Systems that last. What does it take to keep AI affordable, reliable and maintainable beyond the first successful demonstration?
Speakers and discussion:
Valters Meirens (Solveri) will bring the builder perspective, exploring how to turn AI prototypes into reliable software that fits everyday business operations.
Melissa Koenigsberg (Atlantic) will bring a finance perspective from her work as Head of Finance in venture capital and private equity.
Promit Ray (Scivalon) will bring a founder’s perspective on building an AI business at the intersection of science and research, drawing on his background in data science and computational chemistry.
Dmitri Katz (Æthos) will open the evening introducing the guests, and presenting key points for discussion.
Bring a practical problem, an investment question or experiences with deploying AI. The aim is to connect people who can identify a need, build a credible solution and support its adoption.
Who should join
Investors, applied AI researchers, developers, founders, industry operators and people working with German SMEs or supporting the innovation ecosystem.
Event details
Date: 2 November 2026
Venue: Æthos@CIC Berlin
Hosts: Æthos and Solveri
18:00–18:30: Arrival and check-in. Entry closes at 18:30 (seriously!).
18:30–19:20: Opening perspectives and speaker introductions.
19:20–20:00: Moderated discussion and audience questions.
20:00–21:00: Networking.
Help shape a local AI economy built around useful work, capable teams and sustainable businesses.