Business & Culture Fest 2026 | AiDiA – Afrodeutscher Startup Pitch

Entrance to the Foyer & Networking

⌚️ From 16:00

Get in the mood for the big AiDiA Pitch Night 2026.

We recommend arriving early so you can pick up your badge, settle in at your own pace and not miss the opening. We’ll have welcome drinks ready for you, and you can use the time to network with other guests. We’ve also set up various booths from our partners.

Pitch Night Opening

⌚️ 17:30 – 18:20

The doors to the hall will open. Once everyone has found a seat, the AiDiA Pitch Night 2026 will officially begin.

What to expect: Music performance by opera singer Binta Anne. Summary of the Conference Day by our presenter of the evening Alexandra Antwi-Boasiako. And a political opening address by Irene Appiah, Member of the Hamburg Parliament.

Irene Appiah (MdHB)

SPD Hamburg

Binta Anne

Singer

Host

Alexandra Antwi-Boasiako

Alexandra Speaks

Built Under Pressure: The Long Game of Entrepreneurship

⌚️ 18:20 – 19:00 | 🇬🇧 English

Everyone talks about building a successful business. But what does it take to actually last?

Behind every growing business are decisions no one applauds, pressure no one sees and moments when giving up might feel easier than continuing.

Our panel with distinguished international guests from the UK, the US and the diaspora in Germany takes an honest look at what it really means to build something that lasts.

From cash flow and responsibility to reputation, growth, doubt and making decisions before the outcome is clear, this conversation goes beyond the polished success stories.

Andy Ayim MBE

Ayim Limited

Abdul Karim Abdullah

AfroFuture

Nana Addison

CURL CON

Woundioun Sissoko

GATE STUDIOS

Host

Lucy Larbi

AiDiA

Founder Pitch

⌚️ 19:00 – 19:30 | ⌚️ 21:00 – 21:50

Our six pitch teams will present their ideas and try to win over the jury: Afro Drinks by Bam, Duafe Haircare, HYNOVY, Lankai Ltd., Trashcoin and YANA.

Jury

Dr. Irène Kilubi

You2Brand

Marcus Diekmann

Sanicare

Ebony Morczinek

Weinstock Partners

Thuy-Ngan Trinh

A11

Closing with Stonebwoy

⌚️ 22:20 – 23:00

Of course, we’ll wrap up the Pitch Night by announcing the winner of our founder pitch. But we’ll also use this moment to appreciate a few people.

And then the evening will culminate in one of our absolute highlights: Stonebwoy will perform live on our stage as the closing act of our Business & Culture Fest 2026.

Stonebwoy is a BET Award winner, global Afro-Dancehall icon and one of Africa’s most influential artists.

And this September, he will take the AiDiA stage in Hamburg to close an unforgettable weekend of business, culture and community.

Stonebwoy

End of Pitch Night & Start of Afterparty

⌚️ From 23:00

It’s a wrap at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle. But the night is far from over.

After closing the Pitch Night with a live performance, Stonebwoy joins us for an exclusive album signing inside Uebel & Gefährlich.

Together with AfroFuture, we’re bringing Accra Energy to the Bunker for one night.

Expect: Afro. Amapiano. Dancehall. Hip Hop. UK Sounds. All vibes. Two floors. One night.

📍 Uebel & Gefährlich, Feldstraße 66, 20359 Hamburg

Access to the afterparty is included only with the following tickets: AiDiA Kombi (Premium) & AiDiA Pitch Night (Premium).

If you don’t have any of these tickets, get your Aftershow Party ticket now in our ticket shop:

👉 Ticket Shop

Finanzielle Unabhängigkeit mit Immobilien – Warum es der smarteste Weg ist

⌚️ 13:00 – 14:00 | 🎤 Masterclass | 🇩🇪 German

Finanzielle Unabhängigkeit beginnt nicht erst im Ruhestand. Sie beginnt mit den Entscheidungen, die wir heute treffen. Alberta Ntiriwaah Lehmann gibt in ihrer Masterclass Einblicke in den strategischen Vermögensaufbau mit Immobilien.

Dabei geht es nicht nur um die Frage, warum Immobilien eine spannende Möglichkeit für den Vermögensaufbau sind, sondern auch darum, wie eine Kapitalanlage Immobilie grundsätzlich funktioniert, welches Eigenkapital tatsächlich benötigt wird und wie du eine Strategie findest, die zu deinem Leben, deinen Zielen und deinem verfügbaren Zeiteinsatz passt.

See Translation

Financial independence doesn’t begin only in retirement. It begins with the decisions we make today.

Alberta Ntiriwaah Lehmann will offer insights into strategic wealth building through real estate in her masterclass, “Financial Independence Through Real Estate – Why It’s the Smartest Way.”

The focus isn’t just on why real estate is an exciting opportunity for building wealth, but also on how real estate as an investment fundamentally works, how much equity is actually required, and how you can find a strategy that fits your life, your goals, and the time you have available.

Alberta Ntiriwaah Lehmann

Wealthy & Connected

Sign Up

Personal Brand – Wie deine Geschichte dein stärkstes Geschäftsmodell wird

⌚️ 14:15 – 15:15 | 🎤 Masterclass | 🇩🇪 German

David Kwasi Owusu zeigt dir in seiner Masterclass, wie du deinen eigenen Werdegang in dein wertvollstes berufliches Kapital verwandelst.

In der heutigen digitalen Welt ist eine Personal Brand schon lange keine Option mehr, sondern die mächtigste Währung, die wir besitzen. Anstatt zu versuchen, in eine vorgefertigte Form zu passen, nutzen wir deine individuelle Geschichte als fundamentale Strategie. Er zeigt dir, wie du deine Sichtbarkeit gezielt aufbaust und aus deiner eigenen Andersartigkeit ein echtes Alleinstellungsmerkmal formst, das absolut unkopierbar ist.

Gemeinsam gehen wir den Weg von der Aufmerksamkeit zur echten Wertschöpfung: Du erfährst Schritt für Schritt, wie du Reichweite in tiefes Vertrauen und dieses Vertrauen schließlich in messbare Ergebnisse verwandelst. Dabei verlassen wir die theoretische Ebene schnell wieder und fokussieren uns auf konkrete erste Maßnahmen, die du ohne Umwege von heute auf morgen direkt in deinen Alltag integrieren kannst.

Zum Abschluss steht David dir in einer offenen Q&A-Runde zur Verfügung, in der er all deine individuellen Fragen aufgreift und dir ehrliche, ungefilterte Antworten liefert.

See Translation

In his masterclass „Personal Brand – How Your Story Becomes Your Strongest Business Model,“ David Kwasi Owusu shows participants how to transform their personal journey into their most valuable professional asset.

In today’s digital landscape, a personal brand is no longer just an option, but the most powerful currency available. Instead of trying to fit into a prepackaged mold, he uses individual stories as a core strategy. He demonstrates how to strategically build visibility and leverage uniqueness to create an authentic competitive advantage that cannot be copied.

Together, he guides attendees on the path from simple attention to genuine value creation: step by step, he reveals how to convert reach into deep trust, and that trust into measurable results. Moving quickly past pure theory, he focuses on actionable first steps that can be implemented directly from one day to the next.

To conclude, David opens the floor for a live Q&A session, addressing individual questions and offering honest, unfiltered answers.

David Kwasi Owusu

David & Jacques Immobilien

Sign Up

KI & Future Skills: Weiterbildung in der KI-Transformation

⌚️ 15:45 – 16:45 | 🎤 Masterclass | 🇩🇪 German

Wie bereitest du dich auf Jobs vor, die sich verändern, während du sie machst? KI verändert Aufgaben und Rollen schneller, als klassische Weiterbildung oft mithalten kann. Nur das nächste Tool zu lernen, wird deshalb nicht reichen.

In seiner Masterclass zeigt Jonas Johne, Leiter der Creative Business Academy der Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, welche Skills jetzt wirklich relevant werden – für dich selbst, für Teams und für Führung.

Darum geht’s:
→ Surge Skilling: Neue Skills genau dann aufbauen, wenn sie gebraucht werden – und lernen, Gewohntes auch wieder loszulassen.
→ Creative Generalist: Warum Menschen, die unterschiedliche Kompetenzen verbinden, in der KI-Arbeitswelt besonders wertvoll werden.
→ Human Skills: Weshalb kritisches Denken, Empathie und die Fähigkeit, Veränderung aktiv zu gestalten, wichtiger statt unwichtiger werden.

Und es bleibt nicht bei Theorie: Du schaust auf dein eigenes Skillset und entwickelst einen konkreten nächsten Schritt für deine Rolle oder dein Team.

See Translation

How do you prepare for jobs that change as you’re doing them? AI is transforming tasks and roles faster than traditional continuing education can often keep up with. That’s why simply learning the next tool won’t be enough.

In his masterclass, Jonas Johne, director of the Creative Business Academy at Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, will show which skills are truly relevant right now – for yourself, for teams, and for leadership.

Here’s what it’s all about:
→ Surge Skilling: Building new skills exactly when they’re needed—and learning to let go of old habits.
→ Creative Generalist: Why people who combine different competencies will become particularly valuable in the AI-driven workplace.
→ Human Skills: Why critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to actively shape change are becoming more important, not less.

And it doesn’t stop at theory: You’ll take a look at your own skill set and develop a concrete next step for your role or your team.

Jonas Johne

Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

Sign Up

Just Vibe Code Your (Business) Idea – Den Rest machen AI Agents

⌚️ 17:00 – 18:00 | 🎤 Masterclass | 🇩🇪 German

Du nutzt KI bereits. Aber je mehr neue Tools, Agents und Möglichkeiten dazukommen, desto schwieriger wird die Frage: Wie nutze ich das eigentlich sinnvoll für mein Business?

Kommt dir das bekannt vor?

Die Frage ist nicht mehr: Werde ich ersetzt?
Die Frage ist: Wofür werde ich noch gebraucht – und wie nutze ich das jetzt?

Genau hier setzt Dajana Eder an.

Seit 2019 baut sie Personal Brands auf. Ohne Investor:innen. Ohne Büro. Ohne Entwickler-Team. Heute zeigt sie Gründer:innen, wie sie mit Vibe Coding und AI Agents Ideen schneller umsetzen, Prozesse automatisieren und Businesses aufbauen können – auch ohne technischen Hintergrund.

Was sich verändert hat: Nicht die Ausgangslage. Sondern die Werkzeuge.

In dieser Masterclass lernst du:

✓ Was Vibe Coding bedeutet – und warum du dafür keine Coding-Kenntnisse brauchst
✓ Wie AI Agents Zeit, Budget und fehlende Ressourcen ausgleichen können
✓ Wie du deine Geschäftsidee in ein erstes funktionierendes Setup übersetzt
✓ Welche Rolle du im AI-Zeitalter spielst – als Strateg:in, Entscheider:in und kreative Kraft

See Translation

Since 2019, Dajana Eder has been building personal brands – without investors, without an office, and without a development team. Today, she shows founders how they can use Vibe Coding and AI Agents to bring ideas to life faster, automate processes, and build businesses – even without a technical background.

What has changed isn’t the starting point – it’s the tools.

In Dajanas masterclass you’ll learn:

✓ What Vibe Coding means – and why you don’t need any coding knowledge to do it
✓ How AI Agents can compensate for time, budget, and missing resources
✓ How to turn your business idea into a first working prototype
✓ What role you play in the AI era – as a strategist, decision-maker, and creative force

Dajana Eder

Dajana Eder Consulting

Sign Up

Black Empowered Futures: From Survival to Evolution

⌚️ 13:45 – 14:00 | 🎤 Hear Me Out | 🇩🇪 German

Du glaubst, Widerstand macht uns automatisch stärker? Hear me out.

Was, wenn wir so sehr daran gewöhnt sind, gegen Strukturen anzukämpfen, dass wir dabei vergessen, eigene aufzubauen?

In seiner Hear Me Out Session spricht Jeff darüber, warum Survival allein keine Zukunftsstrategie sein kann – und was es braucht, um von Widerstand zu echter Macht, Unabhängigkeit und Gestaltung zu kommen.

See Translation

Do you think resistance automatically makes us stronger? Hear me out.

What if we’re so used to fighting against structures that we forget to build our own?

In his Hear Me Out session, Jeff talks about why survival alone can’t be a strategy for the future – and what it takes to move from resistance to real power, independence, and the ability to shape our own future.

Jeff Kwasi Klein

imagineers lab

Ein Mensch ist mehr als ein TV-Moment

⌚️ 14:05 – 14:20 | 🎤 Hear Me Out | 🇩🇪 German

Du hast 40 Minuten im TV gesehen und glaubst, du kennst mich? Hear me out.

Ein TV-Moment. Ein Clip. Ein Fehler. Ein doofer Kommentar. Und plötzlich steht das Urteil.

Jubriel spricht in seiner Hear Me Out Session darüber, was passiert, wenn aus einem öffentlichen Moment ein Bild über einen ganzen Menschen wird.

Über Hate und Mental Health. Über Fehler und Verantwortung. Aber auch darüber, warum Empathie nicht bedeutet, alles gutzuheißen – sondern den Menschen hinter der Geschichte nicht zu vergessen.

See Translation

You saw me on TV for 40 minutes and think you know me? Hear me out.

One TV moment. One clip. One mistake. One silly comment. And suddenly, the verdict is in.

In his Hear Me Out session, Jubriel talks about what happens when a single public moment becomes the defining image of an entire person.

About hate and mental health. About mistakes and responsibility. But also about why empathy doesn’t mean condoning everything – it means not forgetting the person behind the story.

Omosola Jubriel Hicken

Assistant Store Manager

Wer nicht an Gott glaubt, ist dumm

⌚️ 14:25 – 14:40 | 🎤 Hear Me Out | 🇩🇪 German

Du glaubst nicht an Gott? Dann bist du dumm.
Zu viel? Hear her out.

Denn hinter dieser Aussage von Wana steckt weniger Missionierung, als man im ersten Moment vermuten könnte.

In ihrer Hear Me Out Session geht es um Wissenschaft und Spiritualität, um Verbundenheit – und um die Frage, was wir eigentlich meinen, wenn wir von „Gott“ sprechen.
Vielleicht widersprichst du ihr. Vielleicht verändert sich deine Perspektive. Vielleicht gehst du mit noch mehr Fragen raus. Genau darum geht es.

See Translation

You don’t believe in God? Then you’re stupid.
Too harsh? Hear her out.

Because there’s less proselytizing behind this statement from Wana than you might think at first glance.

Her Hear Me Out session is about science and spirituality, about connection – and about the question of what we actually mean when we talk about “God.”
Maybe you’ll disagree with her. Maybe your perspective will change. Maybe you’ll walk out with even more questions. That’s exactly the point.

Wana Limar

SEVAR Studios

Niemand wartet auf uns. Gut so.

⌚️ 11:55 – 12:30 | 🎤 Keynote | 🇩🇪 German

Niemand wartet auf dich.
Genau das wurde zu David Owusus größtem Vorteil.

Bevor er eines der spannendsten Immobilienunternehmen Deutschlands aufbaute, parkte er Autos am Hamburger Flughafen. Nach seiner Ausbildung bei Engel & Völkers arbeitete er sich innerhalb von fünf Jahren bis in die Geschäftsleitung hoch.

2021 traf er eine Entscheidung.

Nicht, weil Gründen der einfachere Weg war.
Sondern weil er erkannte: Wer wirklich etwas verändern will, kann nicht darauf warten, dass andere Platz machen.

Heute ist David Gründer und Geschäftsführer von David & Jacques Immobilien, mit über 30 Mitarbeitenden und Standorten in Hamburg und München.

Bei uns bringt er genau diese Geschichte auf die Bühne. Eine Geschichte über Ausgrenzung, Ehrgeiz und die Entscheidung, sich seinen Platz selbst zu schaffen.

See Translation

No one is waiting for you.
That’s exactly what turned out to be David Owusu’s greatest advantage.

Before he built one of Germany’s most exciting real estate companies, he parked cars at the Hamburg airport. After completing his apprenticeship at Engel & Völkers, he worked his way up to the executive board within five years.

In 2021, he made a decision.

Not because starting his own business was the easier path.
But because he realized: If you really want to make a difference, you can’t wait for others to make room for you.

Today, David is the founder and CEO of David & Jacques Immobilien, with over 30 employees and offices in Hamburg and Munich.

With us, he brings this very story to the stage – a story about exclusion, ambition, and the decision to carve out your own place in the world.

David Kwasi Owusu

David & Jacques Immobilien

Opportunity or Destructive Force – Who Wins the AI Game?

⌚️ 12:30 – 13:20 | 🎤 Panel | 🇩🇪 German

Alle reden über KI. Aber wer gewinnt eigentlich das KI Game?

KI verändert gerade, wie wir arbeiten, kreativ sind und Business machen. Sie schafft neue Märkte, verschiebt Wettbewerbsvorteile und eröffnet Möglichkeiten, die vor wenigen Jahren kaum denkbar waren. Aber diese Chancen verteilen sich nicht automatisch gleich.

Wer baut mit KI die Businesses von morgen? Wer profitiert wirtschaftlich? Wessen Daten, Wissen und kulturelles Erbe fließen in die Technologie ein? Und wer bestimmt eigentlich die Spielregeln?

Wir bringen vier Perspektiven zusammen, die genau darüber diskutieren. Von Corporate und Tech bis Musik und Kreativwirtschaft: Wir sprechen darüber, wer das AI Game gerade gewinnt – und was es braucht, um die Zukunft nicht nur zu nutzen, sondern mitzugestalten.

See Translation

Everyone is talking about AI. But who is actually winning the AI game?

AI is transforming the way we work, be creative, and do business. It’s creating new markets, shifting competitive advantages, and opening up opportunities that were barely conceivable just a few years ago. But these opportunities aren’t automatically distributed equally.

Who is using AI to build the businesses of tomorrow? Who stands to benefit economically? Whose data, knowledge, and cultural heritage are being incorporated into the technology? And who actually sets the rules of the game?

We’re bringing together four perspectives to discuss exactly these questions. From corporate and tech to music and the creative industries: We’ll talk about who’s winning the AI game right now – and what it takes not only to take advantage of the future, but to help shape it.

Ghana Beats

Music Producer

Zamina Ahmad

shades&contrast

Martina Vollmer

Siemens

Katharina Schneeberg

BVDW

Host

Daniel Tiemor

AiDiA

The New Rules of Making It: Wer schafft es heute im Musikbusiness – und warum?

⌚️ 13:45 – 14:35 | 🎤 Panel | 🇩🇪 German

Welche Faktoren entscheiden heute wirklich darüber, wer im Musikbusiness sichtbar wird, langfristig erfolgreich bleibt und wirtschaftlich erfolgreich ist – und wer nicht?

See Translation

What factors really determine today who gains visibility in the music business, remains successful in the long term, and achieves financial success – and who does not?

Luna Simao

Artist

Willy Will

Artist

Liz Agyeman

Global Brand & Culture Strategist

Host

ShaNon Bobinger

Sipping RealiTeas

From Idea to Africa: Trade, Build, Invest

Powered by

⌚️ 15:35 – 16:35 | 🎤 Panel | 🇬🇧 English

African markets hold enormous opportunity. But what does it actually take to turn that potential into a sustainable business?

The panel From Idea to Africa: Trade, Build, Invest, powered by AWE, looks at the realities behind building across African markets.

From understanding local market needs to cross-border trade, investment and long-term growth, our panelists bring different perspectives and real experiences from across the ecosystem.

Louis Furtwängler

Term Sheet Tapes

Lydia Kekeli Aményaglo

Ghana Food Movement

Samuel Opoku

Kutana

David Amoateng

LITTLE ASHÉ

Host

Audrey Boateng

Speaker & Youth Advocate

Idea Pitch

⌚️ 16:35 – 17:30 | 🎤 Pitch | 🇩🇪 German & 🇬🇧 English

Our five pitch teams will present their ideas and try to win over the jury: Beeva AI, Lady D Cosmetics, NHARE, Speed Aid and Waymaker Stories.

Jury

Sarah Buge

Companisto

Cephas Ndubueze

FOMO

Dr. Salim Kraatz

Bonnie Hospitality

Host

Daniel Tiemor

AiDiA

Unternehmertum 2026 – Wie Unternehmen sich trotz aktueller Herausforderungen am Markt behaupten

⌚️ 17:30 – 18:15 | 🎤 Panel | 🇩🇪 German

Welche Unternehmen schaffen es, auch dann relevant zu bleiben, wenn sich Märkte und Spielregeln verändern?

In diesem Panel geht es genau darum: Was braucht es heute, um ein Unternehmen erfolgreich aufzubauen, weiterzuentwickeln und langfristig zu bestehen?

Im Fokus stehen starke Geschäftsmodelle, Markenaufbau, Sichtbarkeit, Vertrauen und die Fähigkeit, auf neue Herausforderungen zu reagieren.

See Translation

Which companies manage to remain relevant even as markets and the rules of the game change?

That is precisely what this panel discussion is about: What does it take today to successfully build and grow a company and ensure its long-term survival?

The focus is on strong business models, brand building, visibility, trust, and the ability to respond to new challenges.

Kamiar Bar Bar

Teaching Finance

Nadine Pratt

FOM University

Jana Heinemann

IMPARI

Patrick Kadiata

BNB

Host

Lucy Larbi

AiDiA

Global Founders Stage

⌚️ 18:15 – 19:05 | 🎤 Pitch & Panel | 🇬🇧 English

Join The Migrant Accelerator (TMA) for an inspiring showcase of global founder talent, followed by a dynamic panel discussion. Discover how Hamburg’s startup ecosystem supports international founders, explore what’s coming next, and dive into the challenges that still lie ahead.

Startup Showcases:

Kolsetu arrow_right up icon

HABÄNE arrow_right up icon

Prazzle arrow_right up icon

Panel: „How the Hamburg ecosystem has supported international founders, what to expect in the future, and how it can serve as a role model for other regions in Germany“

Host

Nahid Farzana

The Migrant Accelerator

Shamila Borchers

The Migrant Accelerator

Doors Open & Networking

⌚️ From 09:30

Get in the mood for the AiDiA Business & Culture Fest 2026.

We recommend arriving in time so you can pick up your badge, settle in at your own pace and not miss the opening at 11:00. You can use the time to network with other guests and explore the MS Stubnitz. We’ve also set up various booths from our partners.

Business & Culture Fest Opening

⌚️ 11:00 – 11:40 | 🎤 Speech | 🇩🇪 German

Opening address by Senator Dr. Melanie Leonard, and the official welcome and opening of the AiDiA Business & Culture Fest 2026 by presenters ShaNon Bobinger and Ludwig Amuam.

Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard

Chair of the Ministry for Economy, Labour and Innovation

Ludwig Amuam

International Event Host

ShaNon Bobinger

Sipping RealiTeas

Ist Hamburg Deutschlands unterschätzte Gründungsmetropole? Was der Standort braucht, um die nächste Generation erfolgreicher Startups hervorzubringen.

⌚️ 11:40 – 12:25 | 🎤 Panel | 🇩🇪 German

Hamburg hat Kapital. Talente. Weltkonzerne. Eine starke Kreativwirtschaft. Warum wird die Stadt als Gründungsmetropole trotzdem so oft unterschätzt?

Berlin und München dominieren die Diskussion über Deutschlands Startup-Standorte. Dabei bringt Hamburg vieles mit, was erfolgreiche Unternehmen brauchen.

Die spannendere Frage ist deshalb: Was fehlt noch, damit aus diesem Potenzial mehr Unternehmen entstehen, die von Hamburg aus wachsen und international skalieren?

Genau darüber sprechen wir mit vier Menschen, die das Hamburger Ökosystem aus ganz unterschiedlichen Perspektiven kennen.

Was funktioniert in Hamburg bereits richtig gut?
Wo verlieren wir Gründer:innen, Talente und Wachstumspotenzial?
Was muss sich verändern, damit die nächste Generation erfolgreicher Unternehmen aus Hamburg heraus wachsen kann?
Ist Hamburg Deutschlands unterschätzte Gründungsmetropole?

See Translation

Hamburg has capital. Talent. Global corporations. A strong creative economy. So why is the city so often underestimated as a startup hub?

Berlin and Munich dominate the discussion about Germany’s startup hubs. Yet Hamburg offers much of what successful companies need.

The more intriguing question, then, is: What’s still missing to turn this potential into more companies that grow from Hamburg and scale internationally?

That’s exactly what we’ll be discussing with four people who know the Hamburg ecosystem from very different perspectives.

What’s already working really well in Hamburg?
Where are we losing founders, talent, and growth potential?
What needs to change so that the next generation of successful companies can grow out of Hamburg?
Is Hamburg Germany’s underrated startup hub?

Sidonie Fernau

SMY-Gruppe

Heiko Milde

IFB Innovationsstarter

Katharina Kreutzer

MUVN

Stephan Akrong

verlingo

Host

Ludwig Amuam

International Event Host

Live Interview with Y’akoto

⌚️ 13:40 – 14:05 | 🎤 Interview | 🇬🇧 English

Look forward to an engaging live interview in which artist, entrepreneur and author Y’akoto will speak with host Martina Offeh about the following topics, among others:

+ Mental health
+ Building platforms that bridge Africa and Europe
+ Using technology to empower African artists
+ Cultural exchange
+ Philosophy from a Black perspective
+ Identity
+ Women’s empowerment

Y’akoto

MOON ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Martina Offeh

New Narratives Agency

Inclusive by Design: Rethinking Skincare for Melanin-Rich Skin

Powered by

⌚️ 14:05 – 15:00 | 🎤 Panel | 🇬🇧 English

If skincare is universal, why hasn’t the industry built products for everyone?

For decades, skincare has been marketed as something that works for all. But when it comes to research, product development, and innovation, not every skin type, tone, or lived experience has been equally considered.

We’re bringing together experts from science, dermatology, business, DE&I, and content creation for a conversation that goes beyond beauty.

We’ll explore why inclusive thinking isn’t just about representation, it’s about creating better research, better products, and better business outcomes. Because when diverse perspectives shape innovation from the very beginning, everyone benefits.

If you care about the future of beauty, product innovation, healthcare, or building brands that create real impact, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Revani Pillay

Beiersdorf

Temitayo Ige

Beiersdorf

Dr. med. Ephsona Shencoru

Dermatologist

Marven Williams

Content Creator

Koushik Sreedhar

Beiersdorf

Host

Martina Offeh

New Narratives Agency

How to become the Most Influential Person in the Room

⌚️ 15:00 – 15:50 | 🎤 Keynote | 🇬🇧 English

His story started from being homeless. Today, he’s one of Britain’s most influential businessmen – and he’s flying from London to Hamburg to share it with us.

Ranked #1 on the J.P. Morgan Powerlist 2025, builder of 3 unicorns, and now building the next generation of leaders through the Forbes Family Group.

His keynote is not theory, but the blueprint from someone who’s actually lived it, from the ground up.

Dean Forbes

Forterro

Beyond the Creator – Was steckt wirklich hinter erfolgreichem Content?

⌚️ 16:45 – 17:35 | 🎤 Panel | 🇩🇪 German

Jeder sieht den Content. Kaum jemand sieht, was dahinter steckt.

Was braucht es wirklich, um als Creator langfristig relevant zu bleiben? Zwischen Community-Aufbau, Authentizität und Brand Deals geht es um die Frage: Wie wird aus Content ein nachhaltiges Business?

Beim Creator Panel „Beyond the Creator“ sprechen wir über die Realität hinter erfolgreichen Creator-Karrieren – ehrliche Entscheidungen, Herausforderungen und Learnings, die auf Social Media oft unsichtbar bleiben.

See Translation

Everyone sees the content. Hardly anyone sees what’s behind it.

What does it really take to stay relevant as a creator in the long run? Between building a community, authenticity, and brand deals, the question is: How does content turn into a sustainable business?

At the “Beyond the Creator” creator panel, we’ll discuss the reality behind successful creator careers—honest decisions, challenges, and lessons learned that often remain invisible on social media.

Sandra Lambeck

Creator & Author

Louis Lazar Timm

Creator & Entrepreneur

Serena Agbor-Mbongo‘o

Content Creator & Author

Orne Mayinga

Self-employed

Host

Oluwatoniloba Dreher Adenuga

Content Creator & Model

Beyond the Game: Warum die spannendsten Karrieren im Sport nicht nur auf dem Spielfeld entstehen

⌚️ 17:35 – 18:25 | 🎤 Panel | 🇩🇪 German

Sport gehört zu den größten Wirtschaftszweigen der Welt. Doch welche Unternehmen, Berufsbilder und Geschäftsmodelle entstehen rund um den Sport – und warum bieten sie heute genauso spannende Karrierechancen wie der Weg auf das Spielfeld?

See Translation

Sports is one of the world’s largest industries. But what kinds of companies, career paths, and business models are emerging in the sports industry – and why do they offer career opportunities today that are just as exciting as a career on the field?

Jacob Fatih

Crealize

Emmanuel Whajah

Play The Game

Felix Appelfeller

Jung von Matt SPORTS

Host

Cayana Adjei-Freeman

Presenter

Award Ceremony & AiDiA Presentation

⌚️ 18:50 – 19:20 | 🎤 Award & Presentation | 🇩🇪 German

Join us as we announce the winner of this year’s Idea Pitch (16:35 – 17:30 on Stage 1) and celebrate in style. We’ll also talk a little about AiDiA’s journey so far, where we stand today, and what lies ahead.

Shanice Sintim-Aboagye

AiDiA

Daniel Tiemor

AiDiA

Become an Exhibitor at Business & Culture Fest

As part of our community, we’re offering you the opportunity to showcase your business and product at the Business & Culture Fest. Take advantage of this chance to connect with hundreds of consumers and significantly boost your brand’s visibility.

Please feel free to send us an email with some information about yourself and your business, and why you’d like to exhibit at the Business & Culture Fest. We’ll then get in touch with you directly to let you know the next steps and discuss all further details.

Amanda Reich
Event Manager
amanda.reich@aidia-pitch.de

Send Email to Amanda

Become a Partner of the Business & Culture Fest

AiDiA wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners. If you’d like to become a supporter as well, here’s what you’ll get in return:

📢 Raise awareness for your business
🎯 Access to your target audiences and the opportunity to reach new ones
🌱 Provide vital support to a nonprofit organization

If you’d like to become a partner of AiDiA and the Business & Culture Fest 2026, please feel free to email Lucy. She will then get in touch with you.

Lucy Larbi
Initiator & Co-Founder
lucy@aidia-pitch.de

Send Email to Lucy

Join the Crew from 3 to 7 September 2026

Experience the AiDiA Business & Culture Fest 2026 first-hand, become part of a unique community and gain valuable experience and skills.

The event itself will take place on 4 & 5 September 2026. But we also need your support the day before and the days after.

As a thank-you for your help, you’ll receive:

🧡 €100 per shift as an expense allowance (tax-free)
🎟️ A free ticket to the AiDiA event – including admission for a guest
🥗 Meals and drinks during your shift
🎤 Exclusive behind-the-scenes insights and the opportunity to work with international guests, speakers, and partners
🎁 A goodie bag with great surprises from our partners

We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

Open Form

Always a good move: Travel by train to the Business & Culture Fest

Participants of the Business & Culture Fest can take advantage of exclusive DB event tickets for long‑distance travel throughout Germany (ICE, IC/EC).

Your benefits:

- Up to 10% price advantage compared to regular saver and flexible fares
- Additional discount with BahnCard 25/50
- Climate-friendly and comfortable travel on DB long-distance services

Book online now, discover all DB event offers for your preferred route and secure your discounted ticket.

You still have questions? Please check the DB FAQ section.

DB Event Website

4 & 5 September | Hamburg

The festival where the next generation of business leaders came together

Conference Day

Pitch Night

Conference Day

Pitch Night

People on Stage

Dean Forbes

Andy Ayim MBE

Y’akoto

Abdul Karim Abdullah

Jacob Fatih

Sandra Lambeck

David Kwasi Owusu

Oluwatoniloba Dreher Adenuga

Artists

Stonebwoy

Rose May Alaba

Willy Will

Luna Simao

DJ O'NIT

ANNY

Rhythm & Comedy

Binta Anne

cesco.blz

Program

Masterclasses

Keynotes

Panels

Pitches

Hear Me Out Sessions

Entertainment

Conference Day

From 09:30

11:00 – 11:40

11:40 – 12:25

12:25 – 12:50

Music Performance by ANNY

12:50 – 13:40

Break

13:40 – 14:05

14:05 – 15:00

15:00 – 15:50

15:50 – 16:05

Music Performance by Rose May Alaba

16:05 – 16:45

Break

16:45 – 17:35

17:35 – 18:25

18:25 – 18:50

Break

18:50 – 19:20

19:20 – 19:50

Comedy Performance by Rhythm & Comedy

19:50 – 20:15

Music Performance by Willy Will

20:15 – 20:30

Closing of Conference Day

11:55 – 12:30

12:30 – 13:20

13:20 – 13:45

Music Performance by Luna Simao

13:45 – 14:35

14:35 – 15:35

Break

15:35 – 16:35

16:35 – 17:30

17:30 – 18:15

18:15 – 19:05

13:45 – 14:00

14:05 – 14:20

14:25 – 14:40

13:00 – 14:00

14:15 – 15:15

15:45 – 16:45

17:00 – 18:00

Pitch Night

From 16:00

17:30 – 18:20

18:20 – 19:00