Where is it?

You might already guess it right: In a (catholic) church

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What is it?

The Digital Church is a place where, e.g, SME, Startups, Researchers, and local authorities meet. The main goal is to discuss about new technologies from an interdisciplinary view. To achieve this, the Digital Church organizes several meetings with specific topics related to new technologies. Examples:

What is Blockchain-technology and how will it affect the marketing in different industries?·
AI – Potential, chances and challenges.

This takes place nearly every week and from my point of view it is an excellent approach to bring technologies to the “mainstream”. In other words, it contributes to the adaption/acceptance of new technologies.

How does a meeting look like?

Mostly, a Keynote-Speaker (Professor, CEO or else) introduces the basics of the topic to the audience. After that, “areas” (group-tables) with specific topics, e.g, business models, technical implementation, ethics, … are set-up were everybody can choose to participate in. Discussions are made related to the “table-topic”. Last, the highlights from the discussion are presented to all participants and a final get together takes place.

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What else does the Digital Church do?

At daytime about 20 working spaces are provided which are used by startups and developers from SME: interdisciplinary discussion/working, i.e, co-working.
Startups have the possibility to apply for a (small) fixed working place (as startups mostly do not have the money to lease an office). These places are a kind of open-plan office in the church.
Startups are guided by the Digital Church managers(if the startups want – not a must!) and help them to get connected to SME or provide them with information about funding and so on.
Matching: If an SME needs help with digitization they can ask for guidance. The Digital Church managers will match them with the right startups and/or researchers.

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What´s next?

In my next blog I plan to show you insights of the meeting: AI – Potential, chances and challenges.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!