#rp25 speaker Karsten Wildberger: The Digital Ministry as a Start-Up

22.05.2025 - For the first time, Germany has a Federal Digital Minister. What can we expect from his legislature and plans for state modernization and digitalization?
Foto von Karsten Wildberger. Er trägt kurze Haare, Brille, Anzug und Krawatte. Dabei schaut er in die Kamera.
Photo Credit
Jesco Denzel

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Government Modernization (BMDS) has a clear mission: to make Germany modern and efficient. But what does this actually entail? At re:publica 25, Karsten Wildberger provides answers to the most pressing questions on government modernization and digitalization. 

The tasks ahead require a ministry that thinks and acts like a start-up, says Karsten Wildberger, Germany's first Federal Digital Minister. How can a an agile, courageous and team-oriented mindset help to build a strong ministry?

Dr. Karsten Wildberger hails from Gießen and has obtained a PhD in physics. After working as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group and holding international management positions at T-Mobile, Vodafone, Telstra (Australia) and E.ON, he became CEO of Ceconomy AG and Managing Director of Media-Saturn-Holding. Here, he was responsible for the digital transformation of one of Europe's largest retail companies. Since May 6, he is Germany's first Federal Digital Minister.