Frankfurt as a financial center, innovation, “Deep Tech Law & Diplomacy,” resilience, Wholistic World Innovation Trophy – Markus Hill spoke with Dieter Brockmeyer (DIPLOMATIC WORLD) about the academy’s current activities in these areas, book publications, and the Institute for Research, Entrepreneurship and Investment (SEI) in Washington, D.C., and the Indian Global Academy for Law and Technology Education and Research (GALTER). Other topics discussed included Silicon Valley Europe, start-ups, the Rhine-Main region, and “Frankfurt & cigars.”
Hill: Why we need to become resilient?
Brockmeyer: I gave an interview for the local German finance industry platform “Finanzplatz Frankfurt am Main” (Financial Center Frankfurt) giving an update on my work with the Diplomatic World Institute and its growing partner network. The key issue, of course, is making our societies resilient to tackle the unprecedented and accelerating change coming with deep-tech advancement. This is the English version of that conversation with Markus Hill.
Hill: Could you give us a brief update on your institute’s activities?
Brockmeyer: A lot has happened since we last spoke. I’ve already started working on my next book, although progress has been slower than usual due to other pressing commitments. We have launched the academy. The course for aspiring diplomats on the impact of deep tech on their work was something we conceptualized right at the beginning, shortly after founding the institute in 2019. However, it took us until last year to find the right partners. We are now working on this with the Institute for Research, Entrepreneurship and Investment, SEI, in Washington, D.C., and the Indian Global Academy for Law and Technology Education and Research (GALTER). We just very successfully finished this ten-week online course, featuring globally renowned speakers and initially offered exclusively to Indian students. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with both, including through additional projects, which has already led to a strategic alliance with SEI. Since April 1st, I have been serving on SEI’s Board, responsible for innovation and European relations, in addition to my role within the Diplomatic World Group. In turn, SEI founder Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes has joined the advisory board of DWI.
In addition, I have launched the next round of the Wholistic World Innovation Trophy, which will be awarded again in Barcelona on October 13th. We are also expanding our video podcast, “Today & Tomorrow.” There should be some exciting updates on that soon. All these initiatives are part of an innovation platform we are developing, which will include additional elements that we hope to present in full soon. However, I must admit that there’s still a long road ahead.
Dieter Brockmeyer (DIPLOMATIC WORLD) & Markus Hill ( FINANZPLATZ FRANKFURT AM MAIN)
Hill: I have to press on this: When you talk about an innovation platform, what exactly do you mean?
Brockmeyer: We are facing enormous global challenges, many of which are not yet fully recognized in their impact. People feel , but the root cause is often ignored: rapid technological progress is fundamentally transforming our lives and leaving us with less and less time to adapt. This is overwhelming, and if left unchecked, it will lead to increasing societal disruptions. What we need is innovation resilience. Building that resilience will become ever more critical in the years ahead. Our goal, through our activities—books, podcasts, awards, the academy, and eventually conferences and other initiatives—is to create an integrated platform where experts worldwide can exchange ideas and develop solutions to address these challenges.
The working title for this initiative is “CAMPUS MUNDI,” inspired by the title of the German edition of my last book. The task is far too significant to be tackled alone—it requires a collective effort. But as I said, we still have a long way to go!
Hill: When you talk about innovation resilience, that sounds like a nice buzzword. But what do you mean by it concretely?
Brockmeyer: That’s precisely the topic of my next book. In essence, it was already the subject of CAMPUS, even though I hadn’t yet labeled it as such. Resilience is a very popular term at the moment—everyone wants to become more resilient, whether in their relationships or careers. Typically, resilience is seen as something separate from innovation. If I am innovative in my personal environment, I become more resilient in everyday life. However, most people don’t realize that they need to learn how to handle innovation. There is a gap here that we need to close.
Hill: The concept of the academy is fascinating. What’s next for “Deep-Tech Law & Diplomacy”?
Brockmeyer: At the end of March, we held the final event of the first course. So far, everything has gone very well, and we – the partners in this project – will take a closer look at everything in detail. We’ve already received external interest in supporting us with the next phase of development, and we’re already planning the next round for this fall. Looking ahead, we’ll likely explore other topics as well and develop new offerings. We’re expecting to do that once again in collaboration with partners.
Hill: So, it’s about dealing with technological progress?
Brockmeyer: Essentially, yes—but not only that. We focus on deep tech, which refers to transformative technologies, but also on how they are implemented. For instance, we examine blockchain technology—not just Bitcoin or its effects on the financial industry, but in a much broader and more comprehensive way. The same applies to artificial intelligence and the inevitable acceleration of progress brought about by quantum computing. That’s why we are deeply engaged with the startup scene and collaborate with the World Business Angel Investment Forum (WBAF). In the future, we aim to strengthen these ties with international organizations.
Hill: What does all this mean for the positioning of your institute?
Brockmeyer: We are positioning ourselves primarily through the academy, but also through flagship initiatives like the Wholistic World Innovation Trophy and our podcasts. These events and projects shape the institute’s public perception. We are increasingly being recognized, and I am receiving more invitations to present our work at international conferences. We are seen as authentic and competent—a reputation that has taken time to build but is now yielding results. The current global situation also plays a role in this. Diplomacy is gaining significance and is being viewed in a new light by many. Despite the uncertainties, this presents an opportunity that we intend to seize.
Hill: Are you active in Frankfurt as well? What does the city mean to you?
Brockmeyer: At the beginning of the year, we supported Silicon Valley Europe in launching its Plug & Play initiative, which connects tech startups with investors. The initial event was quite promising. Although the initiative is not based in Frankfurt but rather in the Rhine-Main region, SVE is headquartered in Darmstadt. We will definitely build on this. There are several exciting ideas on the table, but unfortunately, there is currently not enough time to pursue them all.
That doesn’t change the fact that Frankfurt remains my home base. Brussels is a beautiful city, but I can’t unwind there—especially not at international conferences held in various locations. Frankfurt, on the other hand, is my creative space. It’s where I develop new ideas, write, and, most importantly, recharge my batteries. Many of the projects I later implement originate here and are first discussed and refined within Frankfurt’s creative circles. The city is not just a business hub; it is also highly creative.
A great example is a monthly gathering where we discuss the creative industries in Hessen and project ideas while enjoying cigars in various locations—sometimes privately, sometimes in lounges. It’s a dynamic group that continues to grow and attract new guests.
Hill: Thank you very much for talking to us.
Current Event Dates:
Europe Days from May 16 to 18 in Neudrossenfeld: Discussion with the Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and MEP Monika Hohlmeier
Book presentations CAMPUS MUNDI: June 14 and 15, 2025: Galerie Adriana and others, Vienna
www.diplomatic-world-institute.com
Foto: Michael Jakobi
FINANZPLATZ FRANKFURT AM MAIN auf LINKEDIN – KANAL