”EVERY STAGE HAS ITS OWN ENERGY – AND THATS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT“
TV host, rapper, moderator – Amiaz Habtu wears many hats. But when the Future Tech Fest comes around, one thing is clear: this is where founders, dreamers and doers come together. And he wouldn't miss it for the world.
Amiaz, you've hosted the Future Tech Fest before. How long have you been part of it, and what has changed since the early days?
I've been with the event since the Digital Demo Day, that’s what it was called back then. And honestly, it has grown in a way that still surprises me. Back in the early days, it felt more like an insider gathering. Smart people, big ideas, a certain electricity in the room, but still quite intimate. Now we're talking about thousands of people coming together at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf, with startups from all over the world, investors, corporates, politicians. The scale is different. But what hasn't changed is the spirit. There's still this feeling that something real is happening here.
What sets the Future Tech Fest apart from other events?
I can tell you what the FTF is about: it feels like it's built for the people in it. There's a difference. When you walk through the expo, you don't just see polished booths and pitch decks. You see founders who actually believe in what they're doing. You feel the passion. And on the Main Stage, it's never just talking heads. It's conversations that matter.
What qualities do founders need more than ever today?
Resilience. Full stop. The world is moving fast, faster than most people are willing to admit. AI is reshaping industries overnight. What worked two years ago might be outdated today. So you need people who can adapt without losing sight of why they started in the first place. But honestly, I'd add one more thing: the courage to be honest. With your team, with your investors, with yourself. The founders I respect the most are the ones who don't pretend they have all the answers.
What can large companies learn from startups today?
Speed. And the willingness to try things that might not work. Big companies often have all the resources in the world and still move slower than a team of five people in a shared office. Why? Because somewhere along the way, avoiding mistakes became more important than making progress. Startups don't have that luxury. They have to move, decide and learn – sometimes all in the same afternoon. That mindset is something every corporate team should think about.
And finally, what are you most looking forward to at the Future Tech Fest 2026?
The unexpected moments. Always. You can plan a stage, write a script, prepare your questions, but the best things happen when someone says something that nobody saw coming. A founder shares a story that changes how you see things. An investor admits to a mistake that opens up the whole conversation. Those are the moments I live for on stage. I can't wait.
ABOUT AMIAZ HABTU
Amiaz Habtu is a graduate in business administration and one of Germany's best-known TV hosts, known for "Die Höhle der Löwen" (VOX), "Abgefahren" (ZDFneo) and "Let the Music Play" (SAT.1). Beyond television, he hosts live events across Europe, from sports to tech conferences.
Picture: Amiaz Habtu
