Fusion in Motion — Bridging Innovation Between India and Germany

Reflections from Hyorhin, Staex’s Korean intern, on her first international conference experience in Berlin and discovering collaboration opportunities between India and Germany

When I first walked into the German Indian Innovation Conference (GIIC) in Berlin, I sensed an energy that was both new and familiar — the kind that comes when ideas from different worlds are about to meet. It was my first major international event as part of my internship at Staex, and while I felt a quiet mix of nerves and curiosity, I was also eager to observe how global collaboration really happens beyond theory. The theme of the panel — “Fusion in Motion: From India to Germany — Smart Cities, Green Dreams, and Real-World Roads” — reflected exactly what drew me to Staex: the challenge of connecting people, technologies, and ideas across borders.

I watched Prof. Dr. Alexandra Mikityuk, our CEO at Staex, take her seat as moderator. Beside her were three remarkable industry leaders: Rohan Chhatwal from Maruti Suzuki, Dr. Şilan Hun from Siemens Mobility, and Volker Ratzmann from DHL.

Video Highlight from the GIIC 2025 Panel Discussion - How Innovation Between India and Germany Can Move Faster Together

I remember thinking: How often do you see so many different worlds — automotive, logistics, and digital mobility — in one conversation?

Meet the Panelists

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Mikityuk, Dr. Şilan Hun, Volker Ratzmann, Rohan Chhatwal — all see great potential in strengthening collaboration between India and Germany, fostering innovation and mutual growth across both ecosystems.

• Prof. Dr. Alexandra Mikityuk – CEO & Co-Founder of Staex and Host of the Panel

Prof. Dr. Mikityuk is the Co-Founder and CEO of Staex, where she drives the development of decentralized technologies that redefine how devices and machines connect securely in the digital world. She holds a PhD in Telecommunications Security from the Technical University of Berlin and previously led the Blockchain Group at Deutsche Telekom Innovation Labs. She serves as Chairwoman of BerChain e.V., supporting Berlin’s blockchain ecosystem, and teaches as a Professor at HTW Berlin, where she bridges research and industry in communication engineering.

• Dr. Şilan Hun – Head of Startup Partnering of Siemens Mobility

Dr. Şilan Hun leads innovation at Siemens Mobility, managing its venture client studio and startup collaboration programs. Her work focuses on sustainable, digital mobility — from electrification and hydrogen drives to asset monitoring and autonomous train systems. She believes in “learning through collaboration,” making startups an integral part of Siemens’ long-term transformation.

• Volker Ratzmann – Executive Vice President Corporate Public Affairs of DHL

Volker Ratzmann oversees DHL’s innovation and sustainability strategy in India. Focused on logistics decarbonization and electrification, he sees India as a premium market and a testbed for future-ready logistics. His role emphasizes creating environments where technology can thrive — not by controlling innovation, but by giving it space to grow.

• Rohan Chhatwal – Vice President of Maruti Suzuki

As Vice President of Maruti Suzuki, Rohan Chhatwal drives innovation through startup partnerships. Under his leadership, Maruti launched accelerator programs that help startups become Tier 1 suppliers, creating real business value. His approach to India’s growth is hands-on and fast-paced, rooted in optimism, scale, and the belief that collaboration is the ultimate growth engine.

The Day at GIIC 2025: Reflections on India–Germany Synergy in Innovation

The panel began with a question that perfectly captured the spirit of the event: “How can two systems so different in pace and process innovate faster together?”

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Mikityuk opened the discussion by describing the contrast — India’s unmatched speed and Germany’s structured precision. Rohan Chhatwal responded by saying that what’s considered “excellent” in India is often only the baseline in Europe, a statement that made the audience smile knowingly. Volker Ratzmann noted how much the tech world in Germany is now looking toward India, while Dr. Şilan Hun described India’s “own dynamics” — vast cities, complex systems, and a startup ecosystem rising with its own identity.

Sitting in the audience, I was amazed by how open everyone was to learning from each other. India’s speed and Germany’s structure aren’t opposites — they’re puzzle pieces that fit together to make something stronger.

The conversations didn’t just stay on stage. Even after the panel ended, I met entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers from both countries, all curious about collaboration. Berlin, with its vibrant and creative atmosphere, felt like the perfect host city for this dialogue.

The panel left me inspired to look deeper into how each company approaches innovation in its own way. In the coming weeks, I’ll share my reflections on Maruti Suzuki, Siemens Mobility, and DHL — three different stories connected by one theme: building the future together.

About Hyorhin

I’m Hyorhin, a Korean intern at Staex, exploring how technology, culture, and collaboration come together to create innovation. Attending GIIC 2025 was more than just a professional experience — it was a moment of realization about the power of dialogue between nations, and how much we can learn when we listen. What made it truly special was meeting people who live and breathe innovation every day.

For the first time, I could talk about ideas I had only thought of on my own and hear how others responded with passion and openness. Their energy stayed with me — a reminder that real innovation begins with genuine human connection.