Events

Next Industries: The Swiss Initiative for Industry 4.0

Next Industries is the Swiss initiative for Industry 4.0, aiming to drive digital transformation in Switzerland. It brings together stakeholders, structures and deepens existing knowledge and experiences, and makes them available. This mission also includes organizing the Industry Forum, which offers companies insights into concrete best practices and the opportunity to network with industry leaders.

Pfizer Healthcare Hub on Stage at the Industry Forum 2025

The Pfizer Healthcare Hub will be present at the Industry Forum in Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland: Pembe Gül Bilir, Innovation Engineer at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, will deliver a keynote on the Quantum-Annealing project. The title of the keynote: "Spirit of Innovation, Courage, and Strong Networks: A Possible Success Concept in the Field of Quantum Technologies in Industry."

In a proof of technology, the Quantum-Annealing technology was used to optimize production planning at the Pfizer production plant in Freiburg. This flagship project was initiated and led by the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg and carried out in cooperation with the Swiss Competence Center for Quantum Computing, QuantumBasel, and D-Wave.

Learn More About the Quantum-Annealing Project

Pembe Bilir will discuss how the spirit of innovation, courage, and strong networks can pave the way to success in the field of quantum technologies. She will also introduce technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the industry in the future and demonstrate how initial steps in researching and implementing these technologies might look.

• When: May 22, 2025, 08:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Where: Campussaal Brugg-Windisch, Bahnhofstrasse 6, 5210 Windisch
• Cost: CHF 280.00

Highlights at the Industry Forum 2025

The event will kick off with a keynote by Marc Gläser, CEO of Stöckli Swiss Sports AG, on the success factors of Stöckli. In the subsequent panel, leading Swiss companies will discuss the economic situation and the added value of digitalization. The event will conclude with a talk by former national player Beni Huggel on how teamwork leads to success.

The Black Forest Hackathon brings together visionaries and innovators, offering a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with other creative minds and work with the latest technologies. Participants will develop solutions in less than 48 hours in areas such as AI, automation, and sustainability. Pfizer is proud to support this initiative as a sponsor. Pembe Gül Bilir, Innovation Engineer at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, will serve as a jury member to evaluate the results of the hacker teams. We look forward to seeing the outcomes!

Who can participate?

We are looking for 100 hackers, whether beginners or professionals, from the following fields:

• Programmers & engineers
• Data Scientists & AI enthusiasts
• Designers & UX professionals
• Business innovators & entrepreneurs
• Students & professionals

What to expect?

• Real-world challenges from Liebherr Group, SEW-EURODRIVE, Balkon.Solar e.V., badenova, KOCH Freiburg GmbH
• Free participation including meals
• €6,000 prize money for the best teams
• Direct interaction with companies & experts
• Keynotes & networking: Michael Lauk (CDO, B. Braun Group) and Andreas Blattmann (Co-Founder, Black Forest Labs; Developer of Flux)

Why is Pfizer supporting the hackathon?

The Black Forest Hackathon offers a unique platform to bring together talents from various fields to work on groundbreaking projects. As part of the innovation ecosystem, we firmly believe that collaboration and creative problem-solving are key to progress and success. 

Spaces are limited, register by May 2nd!

What drives the digital health industry today and tomorrow?

Experts from politics, science, and practice will discuss the latest developments and challenges in the digital health industry. A comprehensive program of lectures, discussions, and workshops will take place on a total of six stages.

When: April 8-10, 2025 
Where: Berlin ExpoCenter City | Messe-Süd (Jafféstraße) exhibition grounds

Meet the Hub-Team

The Pfizer Healthcare Hub team will be present with a booth in Hall 2.2. We are currently looking for start-ups that have developed innovative solutions in the following areas:

• Vaccines: Vaccine management
• Oncology: Study recruitment & patient companions
• AI-based innovations

Come visit us at the DiGA & Mobile Health area in Hall 2.2, booth C-115 – we look forward to connecting with you!sdsd

What awaits you?

The evening offers a platform for targeted networking and knowledge transfer at the highest level. Take the opportunity to learn more about applications of quantum technology and to make new contacts and discover synergies for joint projects.

Meet the Hub Team

Peter Neske will talk about a recently completed quantum project and show how quantum research can be linked to practical applications, for example for sustainable production or digital healthcare. The lecture offers impulses for anyone who wants to better understand and use the potential of quantum computing and collaboration.

When: March 12, 5 p.m
Where: iteratec, Stuttgart location, Zettachring 6

The event is for invited guests only. If interested, contact [email protected]