Germany’s New Business Strategy: Martin Blessing on Industry, Innovation and Growth

22.06.2026•27:13

How can Germany remain an attractive destination for international business expansions? Martin Blessing, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’ point man on investments and foreign business expansions explains how the country is positioning itself in a changing global economy, and why Germany is still central for companies looking to scale up in Europe. Germany is adapting its investment strategy in response to global competition, technological change and shifting industrial dynamics. In this episode of Into Germany, we speak with Martin Blessing, former CEO of Commerzbank and, since late 2025, government commissioner and chairman of the supervisory board of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). He explains how the country aims to strengthen its position as a location for industry, innovation and sustainable growth. We explore what makes Germany attractive for today’s growth-hungry international companies – from its strong industrial base to emerging sectors such as AI and space technologies – and where structural challenges still need to be addressed. Our guest: Martin Blessing is a German banker and business executive. He served as CEO of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016 and held senior roles at UBS and McKinsey. In late 2025, he was appointed commissioner and chairman of the supervisory board of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), where he is responsible for the strategic oversight of Germany’s investment promotion efforts.

Germany’s New Business Strategy: Martin Blessing on Industry, Innovation and Growth

22.06.2026•27:13

How can Germany remain an attractive destination for international business expansions? Martin Blessing, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’ point man on investments and foreign business expansions explains how the country is positioning itself in a changing global economy, and why Germany is still central for companies looking to scale up in Europe. Germany is adapting its investment strategy in response to global competition, technological change and shifting industrial dynamics. In this episode of Into Germany, we speak with Martin Blessing, former CEO of Commerzbank and, since late 2025, government commissioner and chairman of the supervisory board of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). He explains how the country aims to strengthen its position as a location for industry, innovation and sustainable growth. We explore what makes Germany attractive for today’s growth-hungry international companies – from its strong industrial base to emerging sectors such as AI and space technologies – and where structural challenges still need to be addressed. Our guest: Martin Blessing is a German banker and business executive. He served as CEO of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016 and held senior roles at UBS and McKinsey. In late 2025, he was appointed commissioner and chairman of the supervisory board of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), where he is responsible for the strategic oversight of Germany’s investment promotion efforts.

From Assistance to Action: The Rise of Agentic AI

11.05.2026•38:29

Artificial intelligence has changed the way companies work, and now a new phase is emerging. Whereas earlier systems could only respond to prompts, Agentic AI is designed to handle entire workflows. For companies, the shift is profound, as it promises greater efficiency, faster decision-making and entirely new ways of structuring work. At the same time, it raises important questions around control, accountability and integration into existing business processes. Germany, with its strong industrial base and growing AI ecosystem, is positioning itself as a key player in this transformation. Companies and institutions across the country are exploring how agentic AI can be scaled responsibly and effectively. And there’s lots of room for international companies to enter the market. Our guests: Daniela Rittmeier is a supervisory board member, advisor and head of Capgemini’s Generative AI Accelerator, leading AI integration and scaling across industries and value chains. With over 20 years of experience driving transformation and innovation, she’s a thought leader in sustainable, anthropocentric AI and an advocate for women in technology and digital education. Des Traynor is co‑founder and chief strategy officer of the customer messaging and support platform Intercom, which has expanded to Germany. He has driven Intercom’s shift toward AI‑first product strategy and development, including the creation of AI agents such as Fin.

Aiming High – Germany Joins the New Space Race

02.02.2026•35:05

Germany’s space sector is booming, as commercial players increasingly shape what was once a purely state-driven domain. From satellite manufacturing and Earth observation to reusable spacecraft and green propulsion systems, German-based companies are helping make space more accessible, sustainable and economically viable. Supported by strong public-private partnerships, generous funding schemes and a dense ecosystem of research institutions, Germany is on its way to become one of Europe’s key space hubs. Our guests: Anke Pagels-Kerp is Divisional Board Member for Space at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where she oversees research and innovation at the interface of government, science and the emerging New Space economy. Martin Polak is Managing Director of Planet Labs Germany, responsible for the company’s operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and for expanding its satellite manufacturing and Earth observation activities in Germany. Victor Maier leads the German and Central European business at The Exploration Company, a Franco-German start-up developing reusable spacecraft to provide Europe with independent, sustainable access to space.

Replotting the Course: Full Steam Ahead for German Business

15.12.2025•16:18

2025 was a year of course alignment for the German economy. Conservative Friedrich Merz became Germany’s chancellor after snap elections, and his new coalition government immediately signaled that investment, reform and pro-business policies would be its priorities. We review pivotal economic and business developments of 2025 – from government measures supporting industry and startups to international investment trends and Germany’s positioning in global markets. Find out what it all means for companies looking to invest in or expand into Germany. Our guests: Our year in review features leaders from business and politics and Germany Trade & Invest experts from a variety of fields.

Scaling New Heights – Germany’s Start-Up Comeback

20.10.2025•33:09

Germany’s start-up sector is regaining momentum – thanks to a dynamic ecosystem shaped by entrepreneurial spirit, government support and strong industry clusters, ranging from Berlin’s vibrant tech scene to regional hubs throughout the country. Initiatives such as the de:hub network are connecting founders with established players, while new legislation aims to make investment easier and reduce bureaucracy. International entrepreneurs are increasingly drawn to Germany’s mix of cutting-edge research, skilled talent and access to Europe’s largest consumer market. Our guests: Philipp Kövener is Director of Trend & Innovation Scouting at Germany Trade & Invest. Together with his team, he supports start-ups entering the German market and helps those from Germany grow internationally. Johannes Büker is co-founder of Hydronauten, a Rostock-based start-up that developed pioneering pump technology to save energy and stabilize power grids. Anna Bojić is co-founder and CEO of Miss Moneypenny Technologies, a Berlin-based company transforming digital wallets into powerful customer engagement tools.