GACC Midwest - German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc.

The US market is vital for the success of #German companies worldwide. 74% of German companies in the US report US revenue and 72% report US profits as significant or dominant in their global company results, according to the 2025 German American Business Outlook. ?? This underscores the importance of the strong #transatlantic relationship between Germany and the US. ?? Curious about the rest of the 2025 #GABO results? ?? See them here ??https://ahk-usa.net/gabo #GermanAmericanBusinessOutlook #GABO2025 #TransatlanticTrade #GACCs

?? From Leipzig to Berlin – Strengthening Transatlantic CleanTech Collaboration! The past week has been an inspiring journey through Germany’s CleanTech and innovation ecosystem, uncovering opportunities for U.S. startups, investors, and industry leaders to collaborate with Berlin and Leipzig’s circular economy, energy, and sustainability pioneers. ?? Wednesday – Leipzig: Innovation & District Heating After two productive days in Berlin, our delegation headed to Leipzig, a growing hub for sustainability-driven innovation, where Anja Eulitz from the City of Leipzig?welcomed us warmly. We explored the startup ecosystem at?SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator, where we learned how Leipzig is fostering smart energy solutions, circular economy innovations, and AI-driven sustainability tech?while listening to some of their most innovative startup pitches. Huge thanks to our hosts?Susanne Rost and?Eric Weber for the insightful exchange! Another highlight was our visit to Heizkraftwerk Leipzig Süd, where the plant manager guided us through the facility’s district heating infrastructure and its role in scalable decarbonization. It was impressive to see that the plant is equipped to use hydrogen as a primary energy source and how their district heating system can supply the city of Leipzig efficiently and in the most sustainable ways possible. The day ended with a cultural deep dive into Leipzig’s history and a D?ner Kebab. ?? Thursday – Berlin: Urban Innovation & CleanTech Startups Back in Berlin, our delegates had the chance to engage in individual meetings with some of Germany’s leading CleanTech incubators and accelerators, public-private partnerships, startup funding, and climate technology. A big thank you to?Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH, Climate KIC, Urban Tech Republic | Berlin TXL, Future Energy Lab, Potsdam Science Park, Silicon Allee and Germany Trade & Invest for hosting us and showcasing the diverse Cleantech startup landscape in Germany! The day concluded at the Urban Innovation Forum. Our delegation had the opportunity to “travel” with the audience through the U.S. Midwest, presenting their work and regional innovations on stage. A special highlight:?Ed Javier took the stage on panel “Resilient Growth: Break Things, Fix the Planet” to share insights on his collaborative approach to grow a fusion energy startup ecosystem in the state of Wisconsin. Special thanks to?Sebastian Ulm and Climate Tech Hub e.V. for making this possible! ?? Friday – Cultural & Transatlantic Exchange We wrapped up the week with a deep dive into Germany’s cultural landscape and a debrief on the week’s key takeaways. This experience reinforced a crucial point: transatlantic collaboration isn’t just about business—it’s about building long-term relationships and shared visions for a sustainable future. A huge thank you to our incredible hosts, partners, and the founders, investors, and leaders we met this week!

?? Register now for our upcoming Event: ? Panel & Networking: Adapting Water Systems for a Changing Climate ??? ? Climate change is intensifying challenges for water infrastructure worldwide - extreme weather, flooding, and water scarcity are pressing concerns. How can we adapt our water systems to build resilience and ensure sustainability?? ? Join us at the GACC Midwest Office in Chicago for a panel discussion and networking session! This event brings together 18 German water infrastructure experts and U.S. industry leaders to explore innovative solutions shaping the future of water management.? ? ?? Where? GACC Midwest Office, 150 N Michigan Ave, 35th Floor, Chicago, IL? ?? When? April 9, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM CT? ?? Participation? Free, but seats are limited!? ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gCijZ4C6 ? Meet our panelists: Kuldip Kumar, Lennart Haas, Kai Liepelt ? Moderated by: Sunil Mahadeshwar ? Hosted in collaboration with Chicago Climate Connect and funded by the European Recovery Program, this event is a unique opportunity to engage with experts from both sides of the Atlantic, exchange ideas, and connect over appetizers and refreshments. Secure your spot today!? ? Questions? Reach out to Charlotte Nowak ? ?? #WaterInfrastructure #ClimateResilience #Networking #ERP?

As global markets continue to evolve, companies are increasingly focusing on the value of localized manufacturing and product development. In this free webinar, discover the possibilities these practices offer for better adapting to the U.S. market. Hear from Florian Stuetzel, Chief Operating Officer at?HARTING Americas, and Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the?Illinois Manufacturers’ Association about their expertise in the manufacturing sector.

?? Connecting the Midwest & German Cleantech Startup Ecosystems – A Transatlantic Exchange in Action!??? Our trip to Berlin and Leipzig kicked off on Sunday, bringing together innovators, policymakers, and startup champions to strengthen the bridge between the Midwest and German cleantech ecosystems. We started with a traditional German welcome dinner, setting the stage for a week of insightful discussions and new collaborations. ? Monday: Exploring Germany’s Startup Landscape We officially launched the delegation week with a deep dive into Germany’s startup ecosystem. Many thanks to our hosts Markus Facklam, Janis Gummersbach?and their team from Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH. Discussions covered key policy frameworks and strategies, including Germany’s Federal Startup Strategy and the Digital Hub Initiative, both aimed at strengthening Germany’s startup ecosystem. Later that day, we had the opportunity to explore the?Urban Tech Republic | Berlin TXL campus with Simon Kimmel?and his team, learning about its enormous transformation from the former Tegel Airport into a community for innovation and entrepreneurship. The evening concluded with a networking & pitch session at?MotionLab.Berlin, where we toured their state-of-the-art prototyping and maker space, engaging with their community of hardware startups and deep-tech innovators. Special thanks to Marianna Egressy for hosting us! Tuesday: Showcasing Midwest Cleantech at SET Tech Festival On Tuesday, our delegation took center stage at the Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Tech Festival, one of the most influential gatherings for cleantech startups, investors, and policymakers from all over the world. Hosting an official side event was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Midwest’s growing role in the global cleantech landscape—and why it’s a thriving hub for startups. Another key moment was seeing?Abin Kuriakose?representing our cohort on the opening panel with a strong message: “Chicago, Illinois, and the Midwest is open for business when it comes to science-driven innovation and the big opportunities in energy transformation. If you are working on climate technology, we invite you to collaborate with us. Chicago is open for our European partners and remains dedicated to building global partnerships.” This initiative is part of the European Recovery Program and is made possible through the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Stay tuned for more updates to come! #Cleantech #Startups #Innovation #Sustainability #TransatlanticCollaboration #USMidwest #Germany #SETTechFestival #Berlin

Join our free manufacturing webinar on April 10 and discover how to scale your localized manufacturing, product development, supply chains, and understand its economic impact on Illinois and the world. ?? Gain insights from Florian Stuetzel, Chief Operating Officer at HARTING Americas and Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association as they share their expertise on the manufacturing sector and answer your questions. ??Register here: https://lnkd.in/gTFKfTXC

??We're Hiring: Internship Opportunity at the Christkindlmarket?? ?? Join our team and help plan one of Chicago’s most beloved events! We’re looking for one more intern to support us before, during, and after the season. ?? Ideal skills: Experience in event marketing, graphic design programs (Canva, Adobe Illustrator), and video editing (CapCut) for social media. Ready to gain hands-on experience in event planning and marketing? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gRRTJg-h #InternshipOpportunity #EventMarketing #Hiring #ChicagoEvents

Thank you to DHL Americas for hosting our first Connection Series Illinois event of 2025! Attendees got to experience the future of logistics through DHL’s technology such as autonomous robots and packaging solutions during an all-access tour. James Giedraitis and Maria Emilia Endara shared insights about DHL’s innovations and trends shaping the logistics industry. Thank you to our 2025 Connection Series Illinois sponsors! Cherry Bekaert and Wintrust Financial Corporation ??Mark your calendars for our next Illinois Connection Series on June 18

German International School Chicago (GISC) is an IB World School that prepares students to become well-rounded, creative, and responsible global citizens. Their core values include bilingual advantage, international education, global opportunity, and school community. See more on page 72 of the 2024 GACC Midwest Report: https://lnkd.in/gNnpuy5g Dirk Vogel

Colleges, Meet Your Apprentice Exchange Partner: Final Spots Available! Looking to elevate your community college apprenticeship program? Our networking event connects U.S. community colleges with German vocational schools for valuable international partnerships! The biggest challenge in creating apprentice exchanges is finding the right partner institution. We've solved this for you by bringing together forward-thinking educators from both countries who are ready to collaborate. At our event, you'll gain: ??Direct connections with German vocational schools seeking US partners ???A practical roadmap for implementing successful exchanges ??Expert guidance on dedicated funding sources Join us to explore new opportunities for transatlantic partnerships that can enhance your apprentices' learning experiences. ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gqQrgvwx