OMMAX Events

Transforming businesses with data & AI for portfolio companies

Bringing together 50+ tech, digital, and AI experts, industry pioneers, and leading investors, we explored how to turn AI from theory into real business impact.

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Event recap

While AI's potential is widely acknowledged, only 12% of German SMEs are deploying AI solutions. What’s holding them back?

Munich, September 18, 2024 | During our Transforming Businesses with Data & AI for Portfolio Companies event, co-hosted with AWS, we provided a platform for keynotes, dedicated networking sessions, and an expert panel on the transformative potential of AI.

Although widely discussed, only a small fraction of European companies are actively deploying AI solutions. Especially given that exit readiness remains a high priority for Private Equity companies, every business must have a "data and AI" story to tell, with proof points through pilots and attractive use cases.

Inspiring keynotes & expert panel discussion

Bringing together 50+ tech, digital, AI, and Private Equity leaders, the event fostered meaningful dialogue on how to translate data & AI potential into tangible business impact:

Keynote sessions by Matthias Patzak (Enterprise Strategist, AWS) and Dirk Eisenberg (CTO, STP Group), who shared their perspectives on accelerating AI adoption and building data-driven organizations.
An expert panel discussion featuring Salini Nair Avanupurath (SA Manager, AWS), Evan Canfield (Principal Private Equity Business Development, AWS), Dominik Mühl (Partner, Marondo), and Christian Brugger (Partner Data & AI, OMMAX), exploring real-world applications of AI and Generative AI — from value creation to exit readiness.

Bridging the gap: Our key takeaways from the event

Prioritize value: Focus on business-driven use cases. Successful AI pilots demonstrate business impact, not just technical feasibility.
Leadership matters: AI should be a company-wide priority, led by top management — not just a small expert group. Leaders need to get out of the office, understand customer needs, and think backward from business problems. AI should solve real issues with scalable solutions.
Embrace failure: Innovation requires taking risks and accepting failure. Cultivate a culture that learns from missteps to drive success.
Prototype fast: Ship quickly and iterate based on user feedback for solutions that truly deliver value.
Think big, start small: Implement high-impact, scalable solutions. Launch pilots to gain momentum and organizational buy-in.
Innovative Products over Internal Use Cases: Avoid limiting AI to internal tools like PowerPoint or emails. Instead, use AI to create innovative products and services that drive new revenue streams, tap into new customer segments, and fuel business growth.
IP Protection Concerns: One of the biggest concerns for C-level executives is IP protection and data security. Today’s LLM (large language models) technology can ensure that a company’s intellectual property can be protected, with strict control over who accesses information — even within the organization.

AI is an essential value driver throughout the holding period of private equity investments. From due diligence (assessing risks and opportunities) to full potential value creation and exit readiness, AI shapes a compelling equity story by activating data for business value.