networking event for tech talents
expand perspectives
Together with the VDMA, the Wittenstein Foundation has brought again 30 engineering students to the German Mechanical Engineering Summit for the third time in a row in 2025.
Selected young technical talents from all over Germany had the opportunity to attend the Mechanical Engineering Summit on 16 and 17 November 2025 in Berlin and discussed current topics with top decision-makers from mechanical and plant engineering, science and politics on an equal footing.
tech talents
visiting wittenstein
On 27 March 2026, the Wittenstein Foundation welcomed 20 participants from the “Networking Event for Tech Talents 2025” to WITTENSTEIN in Igersheim. Having attended the Mechanical Engineering Summit last year, the students were now given the opportunity to get to know a medium-sized technology company first-hand.
The programme included a tour of the premises, a company presentation and a guided tour of the talent arena, WITTENSTEIN’s training centre. A particular highlight was the personal career talk by Nadine Hehn, Managing Director of WITTENSTEIN galaxie, who spoke openly about her professional background as well as the opportunities and challenges of a career in medium-sized mechanical engineering and answered numerous questions from the students.
In the afternoon, the participants reflected on their experiences at the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2025 together with the VDMA and Stefan Grötzschel. In four pitches, they developed new ideas and inspiration for future cohorts of Tech Talents.
The students had already arrived the day before at the Foundation’s invitation and used the time for intensive discussion and networking.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive – particular praise was given to the open atmosphere, the opportunity for active participation, and the practical insights into SMEs.
The visit underscores the Wittenstein Foundation’s aim of connecting young technical talents with industry, practical experience and personal career paths at an early stage.
retrospective 2025
In addition to free participation in the entire two-day summit programme, including hotel accommodation, a guided format will take place during the summit to bring students and entrepreneurs from the mechanical engineering industry together to exchange ideas. Under the summit programme item ‘Flexible. Digital. Different: Social Media, Startups and the Next Gen in Mechanical Engineering’, an interactive exchange will take place at themed tables following presentations by companies and startup founders, among others. Here, students will discuss questions such as the following with decision-makers in mechanical engineering:
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What role does social media play for medium-sized companies?
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What does ‘New Work’ mean in an industry with a high level of responsibility?
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How do young talents think about career paths, family businesses or work-life balance?
retrospective 2023
Thirty of more than 1,400 applicants were given the opportunity to discuss and network with renowned CEOs and managing directors, as well as representatives of the VDMA Young Entrepreneurs' Association, as part of a Bar Camp. The students were also able to follow the speeches by Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs Dr Robert Habeck and Minister of Finance Christian Lindner live.
retrospective 2022
Over 1,000 applications from students in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science were received by the organiser, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), for the networking event at the leading congress of German industry. In the end, 30 of them were given the opportunity to meet political figures such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck, Member of the German Bundestag Anton Hofreiter and US Ambassador Amy Gutmann, as well as renowned managing directors and CEOs of large industrial companies at the German Mechanical Engineering Summit, to discuss issues with them and to network.
Among the 1,100 applicants was Aylin Cantekin, a mechanical engineering student at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, who reports on her experiences here.
promoting culture of dialog
For Dr Anna-Katharina Wittenstein, member of the Board of Trustees and representative of the Wittenstein Foundation at the student event, it was an easy decision to sponsor the 30 two-day tickets for the third time: "The VDMA and the Wittenstein Foundation share the goal of bringing young people up close to where the future is being shaped. The Mechanical Engineering Summit is not only the most important industry gathering, but also a place for exchange between business, politics and society. Students can experience first-hand how relevant topics for the future are discussed here – in dialogue and taking into account a wide range of perspectives. We hope that the spark will catch on and that they will discover mechanical engineering as an exciting and meaningful employer."