The Great Re-Shuffle: Unternehmertag 2026 examines Europe’s changing power landscape

• The 19th Unternehmertag is an invitation‑only summit that brings Europe’s business, political and technology elite to Lake Tegernsee. 
• Hosted by venture‑capital pioneer Dr. Cornelius “Conny” Boersch, the three‑day gathering will take place from 18 to 20 March 2026 at the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt.
• Global speakers spanning politics, business, technology, academia and civil society, include Dr Cornelius “Conny” Boersch, Professor Klaus Schwab, Edi Rama, Karl Nehammer, Christian Lindner, Bill Anderson, Joe Kaeser, Thomas Saueressig, Yuval Noah Harari, to name a few

Europe’s economic and technological order is shifting. Defence spending is rising, energy dependencies are being rewritten, supply chains are moving closer to home, and artificial intelligence is reshaping industrial strategy. Against this backdrop, the 19th edition of Unternehmertag will bring together leading decision-makers to discuss one central question: who holds the cards in tomorrow’s world?

Held from 18–20 March 2026 at the Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt on Lake Tegernsee, Germany, the invitation-only summit gathers more than 600 leaders from business, politics and technology each year. Founded in 2007 by venture capital investor Dr. Cornelius “Conny” Boersch, Unternehmertag has become one of Europe’s most influential platforms for private equity, venture capital and strategic dialogue.

Europe’s “Great Re-Shuffle”

The 2026 theme — “The Great Re-Shuffle. Who Holds the Cards in Tomorrow’s World?” — reflects the growing geopolitical and industrial realignment shaping Europe and the wider global economy.

Defence spending across Europe has increased by over 30% since 2021, Russian gas dependence has fallen sharply, and governments are committing large investments to semiconductor and technology sovereignty. At the same time, AI investment remains heavily concentrated in the United States and China, pushing European leaders to rethink competitiveness and innovation strategies.

Organisers describe the current moment as a restructuring of power blocs and industries, driven by technological disruption, regulatory challenges and new geopolitical dynamics. Unternehmertag aims to explore how Europe can reclaim strategic leadership while accelerating adoption of technologies such as AI, quantum computing, robotics and biotech.

A programme focused on strategy and transformation

The three-day summit combines keynotes, panels, startup pitches and masterclasses with networking and cultural experiences designed to foster informal interaction among participants.

Masterclasses with a practical focus

The pre-programme on 18 March features curated masterclasses that translate strategic concepts into actionable insights:

• AI and decision intelligence — exploring how AI-supported systems improve strategic decision-making.
• Cybersecurity and leadership — examining resilience, capital allocation and risk management in uncertain markets.
• Sustainable innovation — from IT refurbishment strategies to ethical luxury models.
• Global investment perspectives — comparing European and Silicon Valley funding approaches.

These sessions reflect the event’s focus on combining entrepreneurial thinking with real-world business execution.

Power, policy and technology on the main stage

The core agenda spans two full days of discussions linking geopolitics, economics and emerging technologies.

19 March: Power, policy and resilience

Key sessions include:

• Debates on stakeholder capitalism and the changing role of global institutions.
• Discussions on Europe’s financial system and its position within a shifting global economic order.
• Panels on digital sovereignty, energy policy and strategic autonomy.
• Conversations on security and defence, including Europe’s role in a more unstable geopolitical environment.

Speakers include prominent political leaders, economists and industry executives such as Professor Klaus Schwab, Edi Rama, Christian Lindner, Bill Anderson, and leading experts in defence and security policy.

20 March: Capital, quantum and the future of technology

The second day turns toward frontier innovation and industrial transformation, with sessions covering:

• Global capital flows and European investment strategy.
• Quantum computing and its impact on business models.
• Robotics and the future of automation.
• AI ethics and governance, featuring discussions on who benefits — and who risks being left behind.

The programme reflects the broader tension between technological opportunity and societal responsibility that increasingly defines Europe’s innovation landscape.

A cross-disciplinary speaker lineup

The 2026 Unternehmertag brings together a diverse group of global speakers spanning politics, business, technology, academia and civil society, including Dr Cornelius “Conny” Boersch, Professor Klaus Schwab, Edi Rama, Karl Nehammer, Christian Lindner, Bill Anderson, Joe Kaeser, Thomas Saueressig, Dr Ferri Abolhassan, Jonas Andrulis, Prof Lucrezia Reichlin, Prof Peter Bofinger, Lars-Hendrik Röller, Prof Alexander Waibel, Dr Regina Finsterhölzl, Markus Pflitsch, Thomas Treml, Dr Annika von Mutius, Niko Bullwinkel, Tobias Rietzler, Yuval Noah Harari, Vanessa Cann, Dr Claudia Major, Prof Sönke Neitzel, Dr Florence Gaub, Heiko Thoms, Dr Michael Schöllhorn, Oleksandr Danylyuk, Dr Andreas Schwer, Graça Machel-Mandela, Yulia Nawalnaya, Michael Mronz, Dr Adalbert Lechner, Kai Diekmann, Kathi Wörndl, Philipp Hartmann, Benjamin Bargetzi, Anja Wehler-Schöck, Dr Hans-Peter Siebenhaar, Marc Kowalsky, Paul Ronzheimer, Christian Underwood, Daniel Büchle, Marc Votteler, Anja Heßeler, Jeannine Metzger, Finn Hänsel, Katharina Schmitt, Jillian Manus, Marco Jung, Sascha Jung, and additional entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts who will contribute to the discussions on global power shifts, AI, quantum technologies, security, finance, leadership and innovation.

Strategic partnerships and ecosystem support

The 2026 Unternehmertag is supported by a diverse group of sponsors and strategic partners reflecting its focus on innovation, technology, finance and resilience, including Beyond Capital Partners, Pidge, neoshare AG, Baker Tilly, Bethmann Bank, AdvanIDe, SECANDA, afb social & green IT, Schaeffler, StrategyFrame.AI, Empion, Sanity Group, Diavon, Louis XIII, Athletes Alliance, Lederhosenverleih, and other collaborating organisations and ecosystem partners contributing to the summit’s programme, masterclasses, networking experiences and operational delivery.

Why Unternehmertag matters now

Europe stands at a strategic crossroads. Wars on its borders, accelerating technological change and economic fragmentation are forcing governments and companies to rethink how value is created and protected.

By bringing policymakers, investors, founders and corporate leaders into a single environment, Unternehmertag positions itself not just as a conference but as a strategic forum aimed at shaping Europe’s next chapter.

As the organisers frame it, the real question is no longer whether change is coming — but who will be ready to lead it.