Recap: Community Congress 2025 – Cyber Security meets Mobilität
17.04.2025
Emma Schmitt
Event
Wheels in Motion: Bridging Mobility with Cyber Security – this was the motto under which a diverse community from the worlds of research, start-ups, industry, and politics gathered at TRIANGEL in Karlsruhe on April 10, 2025. The Community Congress by StartUpSecure KASTEL once again demonstrated how important exchange, discussion, and the courage to embrace new ideas are for the safety of tomorrow's mobility.
Focus on social relevance
At the opening, Prof. Dr. Thomas Hirth, Vice President of KIT, emphasized the central importance of cyber security and mobility—not only for Karlsruhe as a center of innovation, but for society as a whole. Both areas are developing dynamically and bring with them opportunities and challenges that can only be overcome through interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts.
Inspiring ideas and a panel with attitude
Swantje Westpfahl, David Brosset, Gerhard Steiniger, and Philipp Veronesi kicked off the day with inspiring insights on the topic of cyber security, covering topics ranging from automotive supply chains and UN regulations to geopolitics.
The panel discussion with Christopher Gerking, Nina Heiler, Gerhard Steininger, and Jürgen Vollmer, moderated by Swantje Westpfahl, was particularly lively. The discussion was open, controversial, and interactive—the classic question-and-answer format was replaced by an honest exchange on equal terms. The audience also actively participated.
Exciting pitches from startups
The startup pitches showed how broad the field of cybersecurity is, ranging from secure infrastructure and intelligent interfaces to solutions for critical mobility data. The founders presented their startups in exactly 90 seconds.
The Community Award, sponsored by PTV Group, 2025 went to Detesia – congratulations!
Room for encounters
During the breaks, participants networked, discussed, and began working on potential collaborations. The relaxed atmosphere, characterized by openness and curiosity, created the ideal conditions for new ideas and connections.
Many thanks to everyone involved!
A big thank you goes to our speakers, the pitching teams, and all participants – as well as to the organizing team behind the scenes. Special thanks also go to Sandra Schöttelndreier for her excellent moderation.
The Community Congress thrives on its community – and it continues to grow every year. We look forward to the next edition!
Would you like to be part of the community or find out more? You can find all the information about StartUpSecure KASTEL here.
