UNITY INNOVATION CIRCLE 2025: Innovation – yield versus sustainability

“Innovating for impact” was the motto of the UNITY INNOVATION CIRCLE 2025. Organised by UNITY AG, this event brought together decision-makers and innovation enthusiasts to discuss the future of product and service innovations. UNITY AG, in which DBAG ECF IV (advised by DBAG) has been invested since 2024, asked the following key question during this year’s event: “How will businesses be able to develop products and services faster, more efficiently and with more impact in the future?” 

Resolving the conflict between yield and innovation

During a panel discussion at the UNITY INNOVATION CIRCLE, DBAG Managing Director Andreas Krämer highlighted the conflict between short-term return targets and longer-term innovation cycles that is likely to be faced by portfolio companies of private equity firms. However, he stressed that short-term returns actually provide companies with the financial and operational means to allow robust and sustainable value creation through innovation.

The panel was hosted by Dr. Dominik Fischer (UNITY AG) who orchestrated the discussion held by Lydia Schneider (Jungheinrich AG), Katharina Pierschalik (UNITY AG), Lars Hane (VORNvc Management GmbH), Jannik Woste (Factory33) and Andreas Krämer. Here, the panellists discussed ways for businesses to take control of their competitiveness and future viability through intelligent, state-of-the-art innovation processes and initiatives.

Best practice examples from WestLotto, BD and Westfalen AG

The event provided a wide range of first-hand experiences: Albert Haarmann from WestLotto explained how his company’s market-ready “Lucky Bunch” product evolved from a basic idea. Guillem Aranda Torrents looked at how the interplay of corporate and technology strategy was a success factor at BD ROWA, while Dr Meike Schaeffler demonstrated how Westfalen AG uses AI to drive innovation.

As Andreas Krämer explained: “Private equity and innovation are by no means mutually exclusive. On the contrary, sustainable profitability and adequate cash-flows as a result of efficient management, helps to pave the way for long-term relevance. For us as investors, the crucial question is whether a given business model will still be able to create value in ten years’ time. This perspective determines how we help companies in their transformation efforts and where we invest.”

The UNITY INNOVATION CIRCLE has firmly established itself as a forum for inspiring discussions, best practice examples and new ideas. The event will take place again in 2026.