Dr. Rainer Seider – Head of Unit International Affairs @ Governing Mayor of Berlin

In this episode of “The Executives,” Majid sits down with Dr. Rainer Seider, the Head of Unit International Affairs for the Governing Mayor of Berlin, to discuss “Berlin’s Rise as a Global Startup Hub & International Partnerships.” Dr. Seider, an expert in international affairs and strategic partnerships, shares his extensive background in law, politics, and global collaboration, highlighting his passion for fostering international connections.

The discussion delves into how Berlin transformed into a global startup magnet, notably by shifting its startup scene’s primary language from German to English to attract diverse talent. Dr. Seider explains Berlin’s need for talent migration and addresses the ongoing debate surrounding migration and Germany’s workforce requirements.

He emphasizes Berlin’s unique culture and its pivotal role in attracting global startups, detailing what makes the city an ideal environment for both founders and investors. The conversation also covers the services offered by the city of Berlin to the general public, including various support packages from Berlin Partner for businesses and scientific institutions, such as tailored funding concepts, property search assistance, and qualified personnel recruitment. Dr. Seider then explores the future of Berlin’s public services through the lens of AI and digitalization.

A key focus of the episode is the AsiaBerlin Summit, a project Dr. Seider is deeply passionate about. He outlines why startups should consider looking to Asia for opportunities and identifies who stands to benefit most from attending the summit, including startups, corporations, and investors. The episode concludes with Dr. Seider’s final thoughts on strengthening Berlin’s position as a global hub.