On 9th and 10th April 2025, Master students from the “Finance” and “International Business and Economics” programmes attended the Fintech Berlin “FIBE 2025“ trade fair. Organised by Prof. Mareike Heinemann, PhD, und Prof. Diego d’Andria, PhD, the field trip provided hands-on insights into current trends, challenges and innovations within Europe’s fintech sector – from AI to blockchain.
Dan Schulman, former CEO of PayPal, highlighted the transformative power of disruptive technologies such as autonomous Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) during his keynote address. His prediction: ASI could fundamentally reshape workplaces within just a few years. His call to action – “The biggest impediment to future success is past success” – highlights the need to critically examine established approaches in order to stay ahead.
Among the 200+ speakers were Hélène Falchier (Partner at global fintech investor Portage Ventures), founders, investors, Margrethe Vestager (former EU Competition Commissioner) and Jörg Kukies, Germany’s Federal Minister of Finance. The presentations and panel discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics, including technological innovations, regulatory frameworks and the interplay between global policy and the European fintech market.
The fair provided students with a valuable platform to network with fintech companies, banks and investors, while actively participating in discussions on pioneering financial innovations.