Entrepreneurship Summit 2023: Keynote speech by Prof. Werner Sobek

Summary

In his keynote speech, ‘The Boundary Conditions of the Future: Why We Need to Build Differently,’ Prof. Werner Sobek highlights the urgent challenges and opportunities facing the construction industry, particularly in the context of resource consumption, climate change and global population. He emphasises the central role of interdisciplinary approaches, the linking of scientific research with practical design, and the need for rational and precise analysis. Sobek emphasises that construction and architecture have far-reaching social and ecological impacts and, at the same time, offer enormous innovation potential for founders.

Key insights for founders

1. Interdisciplinarity as a source of innovation:
The greatest opportunities lie at the interface between disciplines – architecture, engineering, materials science, agricultural and environmental technology. Founders can develop new products, services and business models here.

2. Resource and building material management:
Global demand for building materials will increase exponentially. Efficient construction using secondary building materials, recycling and low-emission materials will be crucial. Founders can develop solutions for sustainable material cycles.

3. Understanding climate impacts and taking action:
It is crucial to differentiate between causes (e.g. CO₂ emissions) and effects (e.g. temperature rise) and to quantify the consequences (crop failures, migration). Entrepreneurs can develop data-based tools that make these connections visible.

4. Rethinking energy efficiency:
Traditional energy discussions are often misleading. The use of solar, wind and geothermal energy, as well as optimised construction processes, offer business opportunities for founders who want to develop energy-efficient solutions.

5. Focus on quantitative solutions instead of symbolic goals:
Instead of fixating on annual targets such as ‘Net Zero 2050’, Sobek recommends calculating the actual tonnes of CO₂ reduction and managing them along a timeline. Founders can develop innovative monitoring and optimisation services in this area.

About the speaker

Prof. Werner Sobek is an architect and civil engineer of international renown. He has taught at several universities and held two important chairs combining architecture and engineering. Sobek works in an interdisciplinary manner and is known for his integrative approaches to sustainable construction, material innovation and urban design. His research focuses on resource optimisation, energy efficiency and the social responsibility of construction. In addition to his academic work, he is the founder of several companies in the field of innovative construction and material technologies and is strongly committed to future-oriented entrepreneurship.