"Germany Needs to Demonstrate its Capacity for Disruption"
Keepin' it Real: Conversation with Rafael Laguna de la Vera, the Man Behind Leap Innovations
Time to Adjust: Ignite a Change in Mindset Across Politics, Society, and Economy - Election Manifestos Set the Wrong Priorities
Germany is losing its edge as a tech nation. Innovation and structural change are the keys to the future of its domestic economy. Rafael Laguna de la Vera, the head of the Federal Agency for Leap Innovations, explains why we need more capital-backed retirement provisions.
Hey Rafael, why ain't technological competitiveness a hot topic in this year's election manifestos? Politics always talks about the people, so why the silence?
It's a puzzle, but even education, the precursor to all leap innovations, takes a backseat in these political agenda. That's why topics like tech competitiveness, implementing research into products, and creating new leading industries often get overlooked.
I mean, people love tech, right? So why ain't the topic screamin' from the rooftops?
Nope, people aren't exactly clamoring for tech jargon. They want their immediate issues solved, like job security, affordable healthcare, and a fat pension. But that ain't an excuse to ignore the future.
Germany's innovation capabilities have been a concern for years, but it still ain't a household topic. The Federal Agency for Leap Innovations was born out of worry that Germany was falling behind in modern technologies.
In the old days, the government supported homegrown tech with platforms and funding. It made sure that research turned into real products. That's still happening in some ways today, but we need more collaboration between the scientific, economic, and political systems.
How do we get those three ecosystems to play nice together, instead of workin' as isolated islands?
We got to break down the walls between these systems. It's about changing university laws, offering return options, and considerin' not just academic merits in university careers but also success outside the system. We can learn from the Technical University of Munich, which has a kickass startup hub that's paved the way for other university clusters.
Financin' startups ain't an issue in Germany, but growth money sure is. It's like we're smotherin' innovation with humble Mammon.
Ideally, a massive fund would be needed, with the state, economy, and investors chippin' in. Such a fund would create wealth and keep companies from fleein' to richer countries. But people ain't too jazzed about riskin' their retirement savings.
So why don't we use a part of the capital-backed pension fund for an innovation fund? It's gotta be invested somewhere, right?
The idea ain't far-fetched. In fact, it could prevent companies from leavin' and keep pensions stable. The people would benefit from high returns, and Germany would continue to prosper. But public skepticism might be high, with concerns about gamblin' and speculation.
Germans are known for their frugality, but they need to learn to invest, not just save. We got to change the narrative, promote a future vision, and make investments in German tech companies attractive.
What's the future lookin' like for Germany in tech? Ain't we just stumblin' behind in AI and quantum computing?
Nah, we got a chance to take the lead. There's a program called "Alternative Ways to General Intelligence," and Germany's makin' a name for itself in analogy computers like quantum computers. These new systems could revolutionize AI and outperform classical algorithms.
So, bring it on, Germany! Time to reclaim our innovative edge and prove we ain't just sleepin' on our laurels.
This interview was conducted by Stephan Lorz.
Additional Insights:
- Technological competitiveness is not at the forefront of German election manifestos, but it's embedded within broader policies addressing energy transition, economic stability, and social welfare.
- Improving Germany's technological competitiveness requires fostering collaboration between the scientific, economic, and political systems, streamlining regulatory processes, and encouraging international partnerships.
- There's potential to use a part of the funds planned for the capital-backed pension system to establish an innovation fund to support the growth of tech startups and ensure Germany's future prosperity. Public skepticism about investing retirement savings in tech may need to be addressed through a positive narrative and a future vision.
- Rafael Laguna de la Vera, head of the Federal Agency for Leap Innovations, expresses concern about the lack of focus on technological competitiveness in this year's election manifestos, despite its crucial importance for Germany's future.
- Despite the significance of education as a precursor to innovations, it is not given complete attention in the political agenda, which often overlooks topics related to tech competitiveness, research-to-product implementation, and the creation of new leading industries.
- People's focus tends to be on immediate issues like job security, affordable healthcare, and a good retirement plan, but it is important to not ignore the need for investment in the nation's technological future.
- Laguna de la Vera suggests the possibility of using a portion of the capital-backed pension fund to establish an innovation fund, arguing that it could not only help prevent companies from leaving but also ensure a stable retirement for the people, with the potential for high returns. However, public skepticism about investing retirement savings in tech may need to be addressed through a positive narrative and a future vision.
