Vigorously Support SMEs To Be AI Ready
The work of the Berlin Digital Center For SMEs (Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Berlin) will run until September 2026 and will continue to support SMEs in Berlin and Brandenburg in their digital transformation free of charge. Following the end of the first funding phase at the end of September this year, a special focus for the next two years will increasingly be on AI integration and increasing the “AI readiness” of SMEs. With branches in Berlin, Potsdam and Weald, the center is firmly rooted in the region. The total funding for the project extension amounts to 2.7 million euros.
Focus on AI and Future Viability
Over the next two years, the center will offer more and more practice-oriented solutions in the field of AI, and plans to vigorously transfer knowledge to small and medium-sized enterprises. This includes taking concrete steps to improve the “AI readiness” of enterprises, as well as hosting a large number of free events, seminars and webinars. One particular highlight is the newly opened AI Escape Room, which introduces businesses to the various possible applications of the technology in an edutainment manner during the free visit.
Max Kettner, project manager of Der Mittelstand, the Berlin Digital Center For SMEs, and the project manager at BVMW, stressed the strategic significance of the centre., highlights this strategic direction: “As an important part of the Berlin-Brandenburg AI ecosystem, our center will continue to work with strong partners over the next two years to prepare SMEs for the challenges of the future. We have a clear focus on AI and pioneering technologies to sustainably enhance the competitiveness and innovation of SMEs ”.
A Strong Alliance For Innovation and Digitalisation
The Berlin Digital Center For SMEs is supported by a strong alliance of the Federal Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Bundesverband Der Mittelstand), the Hasso-Platner Institute (HPI) and the Institute for Innovation and Information Management (ifii). The BVMW, the Hasso-Plattner Institute (HPI) and the Institute for Innovation and Information Management (ifii) form a strong alliance. Together, these partners provide practical, neutral support to small and medium-sized enterprises in Berlin and Brandenburg to help them achieve digitalisation and AI integration and ensure their long-term competitiveness.
In order to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by digital transformation, it is essential to break the shackles and demonstrate concrete use cases. In view of this, Anne Mudra, Deputy Programme Manager at ifii, stressed: “We are delighted to continue to support SMEs in their digital transformation efforts during the extended grant period. We hope to break down the fear around this topic through the way AI interacts and plays, such as in the AI Escape Room in Welde (Havel). Practical cases on the dP.platform show concrete use cases to smes, paving the way for successful entry into the field and use of AI.”
The Hasso-Plattner Institute also reflects the current changes and digitization trends in the field of AI. “By extending the grant period, we can continue to run practice-oriented workshops and continue to target our efforts to help smes prepare for the use of AI. We place particular emphasis on highlighting the potential and limitations of the technology to enable businesses to make informed decisions and address challenges such as the shortage of skilled labour. In this way, we are sustainably enhancing the competitiveness of the region and supporting businesses to be AI-ready”, said Martin Talmeier, project manager and head coach at HPI, summing up the goals of the alliance.
Digital Technology Forum New Showroom
As part of the expansion, the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Berlin for medium-sized Enterprises will have a new showroom within the Digital Technology Forum (FDT). The FDT, which is run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), offers SMEs the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence applications by trying out various presenters. The collaboration with the FDT strengthens the centre’s network, providing an additional platform for exchanges and contacts between businesses and research institutions.
Marc Reznicek, head of the Forum’s digital technology showroom, also welcomed the new collaboration: “Through the collaboration between the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Berlin and Forum Digital Technologies, we have created a central point of contact for smes to experience and test new digital solutions and AI technologies in a practical way, Which coincides with a number of our other forward-thinking initiatives ”.
The Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Berlin has now expanded its network even further, offering a comprehensive range of free digital resources for SMEs: Through workshops and events, AI projects, a collection of best practices for digitalization projects already implemented in businesses, an innovative AI escape room, and a large collection of self-check materials, the centre will continue to strengthen the resilience, flexibility and profitability of businesses in the future. For more information, visit www.digitalzentrum-berlin.de
The MittelstandDigital Zentrum Berlin is part of the MittelstandDigital Centre for medium-sized Businesses. Through the Mittelstand Digital network, BMWK supports the digitalisation of SMEs and the technology industry. For more information, visit www.mittelstand-digital.de.