In June 2025, as a component of the course Strategic Transformation Management for Regenerative & Digital Business, a group of part-time MBA students participated in a two-day immersion trip to Berlin – an experience that brought theory to life through direct exchange with transformation leaders and innovators across sectors.

The elective, offered to students in the Goethe MBA (Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability), is taught by Dr. Carsten Hentrich and Michael Pachmajer. The course addresses the challenges organizations face at the intersection of digitalization and sustainability. In addition to exploring emerging technologies that enable sustainable business models, students learn how to assess an organization’s readiness for change and develop strategic plans to drive digital and sustainable transformation.

Digital Empowerment at Mercedes-Benz

In Berlin, the students met with transformation leaders who are actively shaping the future of their organizations. The first stop was the Digital Factory Campus of Mercedes-Benz AG, where GBS alumnus Nicolai Gruber opened the doors to an impressive transformation site. Students gained insights into how the company empowers its 80,000 blue-collar workers worldwide through digitization. A key highlight was their initiative to train former blue-collar employees in software development, demonstrating how human-machine collaboration is already transforming modern production processes.

Inspiring Change through Education and Action

The next visits offered contrasting yet complementary perspectives. Tamara Friede, from the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies Berlin, shared how the center inspires young people aged 12 to 18 to creatively engage with the digital world. Her message emphasized how playful and purpose-driven learning can unlock young learners’ potential. Gregor Hagedorn, one of the academic directors of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, spoke about the importance of individual responsibility in the fight against climate change. His call to action reminded students that shaping a sustainable future begins with personal choices and conviction.

Innovation at the Intersection of AI, Start-ups, and Biotech

The trip concluded with a session hosted by a group of innovators and content creators working at the forefront of transformation. Maximilian von der Ahé, Co-Founder and CEO of betahaus, explored the dynamics of the start-up world and the increasing cooperation between start-ups and established companies. Florian Peter (Partner) and Nicolas Reitmeier (Senior Venture Architect) from Bridgemaker showcased how AI tools are being leveraged to foster innovation and launch new business ventures. Louise von Stechow, scientific BioTech expert and podcaster, provided an engaging look at the latest developments in biotech, with a focus on regenerative medicine and digital progress. Rounding things off, Cedric May, CTO of Frontnow, shared his visionary take on the role of AI in shaping how we’ll live and work in the future.

A Lasting Experience with Real-World Impact

This immersive journey not only complemented the course content but also left students with fresh perspectives and new inspiration to apply in their own careers. It was a valuable reminder that transformation is not just a strategic concept, but a human-driven process that connects ideas, values, and bold action. We’re already looking forward to next year’s trip to Berlin and are excited to discover the new ideas and transformations that lie ahead.