Her parents ran an IT company. Christmann studied mathematics, politics and economics.
(Photo: imago images/Arnulf Hettrich)
Berlin If the position of a new start-up officer had been publicly advertised in the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the following requirements would probably have been reflected: Knowledge of business and technology, political expertise – and a member of the Greens.
The member of the Bundestag Anna Christmann meets all these criteria – and should therefore do the job now.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) described Christmann as a “designated digital expert” who will act as a direct contact for start-ups and the digital economy in the ministry. An intermediary role, then, between the founders and those who set the rules for them.
At home in technology since childhood
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Christmann’s profile seems ideal for this: She has been at home in technology since childhood, her parents ran an IT company. She also studied mathematics, politics and economics and did her doctorate on the limits of direct democracy. Combining technology, business and politics – this role seems to have been handed to her. She also deals a lot with technology in the Bundestag, of which she has been a member since 2017. Among other things in the Committee for Education, Research and Technology Assessment and since January as Coordinator of the Federal Government for Aerospace.
Christmann is considered to be committed and willing to exchange ideas in the group. Even if she has not regularly “decorated the front pages”, she has made a name for herself in the professional community, it is said. But the demands on her new role are high. As a start-up representative, the 38-year-old will above all have to succeed in improving the relationship between the scene and politics, which is not always easy.
According to a survey of almost 200 founders from the tech scene by the digital association Bitkom, the start-up policy of the previous federal government only received the grade “sufficient” on average. The relationship between start-ups and politics – it’s complicated. Christmann has set himself a lot of goals to change that. During her term of office until the next election, she would like to accelerate the reduction in bureaucracy, promote women in the scene and improve financing options – as she promises in talks.
Her nomination is well received by the founders. “We are particularly pleased that Anna Christmann, an experienced and recognized research politician, is taking on this role,” says Christian Miele, Chairman of the Start-up Association. Sonja Jost, head of the Berlin chemical start-up Dexlechem, also describes Christmann’s new role as a “great choice” and adds: “She doesn’t have a reputation for being easily exploited.”
Promote innovative ideas
In order to meet the high expectations of their new position, Christmann wants to help the start-ups with financing, among other things – if necessary also with state money. While start-ups can choose from many financing options when they are founded, there is often a lack of money for more mature business ideas. According to Christmann, he is therefore also considering setting up a state fund for this type of financing. Especially in areas like biotechnology, where it takes a long time from the idea to the product, there is often a lack of staying power when it comes to financing.
In order to better promote innovative ideas in Germany, Christmann also wants to change the way in which public money is used to promote disruptive technologies. In the case of disruptive inventions, she believes, the added value does not always arise from the direct implementation of the project idea – but often only afterwards as knowledge and opportunities for the ecosystem. The question of whether public investments are well made must therefore be viewed more broadly.
An example of a disruptive area that the Green MP Christmann sees as a future field is green technologies and climate start-ups. When it comes to the question of which of the many new technologies really keep the promise of sustainability, Christmann does not see the state as having an obligation. Recognizing the so-called “greenwashing” is the responsibility of the investors.
Christmann also sees green technologies on the rise in her role as the federal government’s aerospace coordinator. Satellites could help observe the earth to better understand climate change and also fight it based on this data. She does not see technology as an obstacle, but as a tool for more effective climate protection.
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