Author: Melanie Stuetz

A central topic at automatica 2025 was: Are we automating because we lack skilled workers – or do we lack skilled workers because we automate too little? This contradiction was the common thread in many conversations at the SME Day and during the Innovation Journey, where IDEASCANNER was invited.

Impressions from SME Day & Innovation Journey at automatica

The SME sector invests in automation because it has to – but is it using the full potential to become truly future-proof and more valuable? Our biggest insight:
💡 Those who act only out of scarcity remain in crisis mode. But those who see automation and AI as a strategic opportunity can sustainably transform their company and increase its value.

A heartfelt thank you to the organisers and hosts for the invitation to the SME Day with Innovation Journey:

• Dr Susanne Hennigers (née Goehl), Frauen Verbinden
• Anja H. Schneider, Messe München
• Birgit Petzold, IHK für München und Oberbayern
• Tina Höfinghoff, MUNICH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
• Nadine Münch, Board Partners | Board Academy
• and the team from Der Mittelstand. BVMW.

The tour to robominds, NEURA Robotics, ABB and Epson Robots Europe made it clear: The technologies are here – now it’s up to us to use them wisely. The keynote by Martin Bender (Bender + Wirth) and the practical workshop by the Munich Innovation Ecosystem, “Automation that moves: How SMEs have made the leap into automation – and what others can learn from it”, were especially inspiring.

From Idea to Implementation: How SMEs Succeed with Automation

With our IDEASCANNER Expert Analyses, we bring clarity. Like a technical inspection, we put companies to the test, make the status quo measurable, and open up perspectives for value enhancement with AI. The key: Identifying real challenges and assessing whether

• automation as a solution not only relieves internal pressure,
• creates external value for customers and partners, and
• even enables new, scalable business models.

The 5 Key Steps to Successful Automation

In our carousel, we present the most important steps for SMEs to implement automation strategically and successfully – including a bonus tip from real-world practice.

1. Analyse the status quo: Where do we stand today? Which processes are particularly time- and resource-intensive?
2. Identify real problems: Where are the pain points – internally and externally? Which challenges can truly be solved by automation?
3. Evaluate potential: Which automation solutions offer the greatest added value for the company and its customers?
4. Start pilot projects: Gain experience and make successes visible with small, well-defined projects.
5. Scale & integrate: Transfer successful approaches into regular operations and continuously develop them further.

Bonus tip from practice: Involve your employees early! Acceptance and know-how within the team are crucial for the success of any automation initiative.

Future-Proof and Valuable: Strengthening SMEs with AI and Automation

Automation is more than just increasing efficiency – it’s a real gamechanger for SMEs. Those who set the right course today secure sustainable competitiveness and new growth opportunities. Automatica 2025 impressively demonstrated: The technologies are ready, the solutions are practical, and SMEs are at the heart of innovation.

How are you currently approaching automation? Where do you see the greatest opportunities or hurdles? Share your experiences in the comments here!

Want to know how your company can benefit from automation and AI?

With IDEASCANNER, you receive an independent, data-driven analysis and concrete recommendations for action – tailored to SMEs. Take the first step now and make your company future-proof and valuable!

Start today in just three simple steps:

1. Request your free Pre-SCAN
   Receive an initial AI-powered analysis of your business model – for instant insights and fresh perspectives.
2. Contact us directly
   Book a personal consultation to discuss your company’s individual opportunities and potential.
3. Follow IDEASCANNER on LinkedIn
   Stay up to date on the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in AI and business models.

Almost a year ago, IDEASCANNER was approached by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Marion A. Weissenberger-Eibl and her team at Fraunhofer ISI. Their research focuses on

• the conditions and impacts of innovation,
• the interplay between digitalisation and sustainability, and
• how science, business, and civil society can shape the future together.

This holistic perspective inspires us at IDEASCANNER and is at the heart of our daily work: We are already shaping the future by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse, rethink, and enable sustainable innovation in business models.

IDEASCANNER Featured in “Zukunftsgestalter Deutschlands”

We are proud to be part of the new book “Zukunftsgestalter Deutschlands” (“Shapers of Germany’s Future”) – a project in cooperation with Springer Nature/Springer Gabler. The book presents inspiring pioneers who are actively shaping the future in business, science, politics, and civil society.

In the business chapter, IDEASCANNER shares how AI is revolutionising business models and making sustainable innovation possible: “The Future of Business Models and Entrepreneurship: Thinking Smarter with AI”.

Let’s start thinking smarter with AI today and shape the future together!

Why is this book worth a look?

“Zukunftsgestalter Deutschlands” is now available and is aimed at everyone interested in innovative ideas, sustainable transformation, and bold perspectives. It shows how people and companies are actively driving change with vision and innovation.

Curious? Find the book here: Zukunftsgestalter Deutschlands at Springer.

Do you also want to start shaping your future today?

IDEASCANNER is your sparring partner for AI-powered analysis and optimisation of business models. Together, we make your company future-ready – with smarter innovation and sustainable success. Benefit from a free Pre-SCAN – the first AI-based analysis of your company or business idea.

Start today in just three simple steps:

1. Request your free Pre-SCAN
   Receive an initial AI-powered analysis of your business model – for instant insights and fresh perspectives.

2. Contact us directly
   Book a personal consultation to discuss your company’s individual opportunities and potential.

3. Follow IDEASCANNER on LinkedIn
   Stay up to date on the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in AI and business models.

Maximising company value is the central goal for entrepreneurs, shareholders, and executives. Alongside classic business levers such as strategic growth, financial optimisation, and professional management, the integration of modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly coming into focus. But how exactly can AI contribute to value maximisation – and what are the key success factors?

Classic Measures to Increase Company Value

• Strategic Growth and Market Positioning: Above-average revenue growth is one of the most powerful levers for increasing company value. This can be achieved by opening up new sales channels, investing in new markets, or expanding the product portfolio. Particularly profitable growth has a disproportionately positive effect on valuation. A strong brand also enables higher prices and strengthens customer loyalty – a key factor for stable, predictable cash flows and higher valuation multiples.

• Professionalisation of Management and Structures: An experienced management team, transparent reporting, and excellent leadership culture are decisive value drivers. Digitising and optimising processes increases operational efficiency. Investments in modern structures pay off in the long term, even if they are initially associated with costs.

• Financial Optimisation: Effective working capital management, normalising executive salaries to market levels, and eliminating one-off expenses (e.g. relocation, modernisation, legal disputes) ensure a realistic and attractive company valuation. Even small adjustments can – when multiplied by standard valuation factors – result in significant value increases.

Artificial Intelligence as a Value Driver for Companies

AI is a megatrend that is driving massive value growth across all industries. Integrating AI into corporate strategy opens up new potential, especially through:

• Automation of Routine Tasks: AI systems take over repetitive tasks, freeing up employees for more value-adding activities. Industrial examples show that assembly times can be reduced by up to 30% and production errors by 50% – a clear competitive advantage through increased efficiency and cost reduction.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AI algorithms analyse large data sets, identify patterns, and provide solid decision-making foundations. This minimises risks and allows opportunities to be recognised early – a decisive contribution to value creation.

• Customer Orientation and New Business Models: AI enables personalised customer interactions, optimised service processes, and the development of innovative business models such as predictive maintenance or tailored offers. The result: higher customer satisfaction, stronger loyalty, and new revenue streams.

Success Factors for Value-Enhancing AI Implementation

• Strategic Integration: Digitising business processes is a prerequisite for the successful use of AI. Companies must be willing to invest in new systems and consistently modernise existing structures.

• Transparency and Performance Monitoring: Transparent reporting and continuous monitoring of AI initiatives are essential to measure and optimise the actual value contribution.

• Competent Management: Leaders with digital expertise are needed to steer AI projects purposefully and align them with the overall strategy.

Conclusion

The combination of classic value enhancement measures and the strategic integration of AI technologies offers companies unique opportunities to maximise their value sustainably. Those who act now and harness the potential of AI will gain a decisive competitive edge.

Would you like to know how AI can increase the value of your company?

IDEASCANNER is your partner for AI-powered analysis and optimisation of business models. With the three-step approach SCAN, SCORE, and SCALE, IDEASCANNER accelerates your digital transformation and sustainable innovation. Benefit from a free Pre-SCAN.

Start today in just three simple steps:

1. Request your free Pre-SCAN
   Receive an initial AI-powered analysis of your business model – for instant insights and fresh perspectives to increase your company value.

2. Contact us directly
   Book a personal consultation to discuss your company’s individual opportunities and potential.

3. Follow IDEASCANNER on LinkedIn
   Stay up to date on the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in AI and business models.

The OpenAI guide, “Identifying and Scaling AI Use Cases,” provides a practical, structured approach for businesses seeking to implement AI successfully.

Key Takeaways from the OpenAI Guide

The main recommendations are:

• Three-Phase Methodology:

  1. Identify High-Leverage Opportunities: Recognise where AI can directly improve business processes—whether by automating routine tasks, bridging skill gaps, or unlocking new value streams.

  2. Understand the Six AI Primitives: Teams gain a clear framework for experimentation and adoption by learning the core building blocks of AI application—Content Creation, Research, Coding, Data Analysis, Ideation, and Automation.

  3. Prioritise and Scale Initiatives: Select use cases using a structured assessment framework (Impact/Effort), prioritising projects with the best return on investment and lowest complexity.

• Empower Your Teams: Successful AI transformation requires empowering employees to identify and integrate AI use cases into their daily work.

• Iterative Approach: Start with small, quick-to-implement projects (Quick Wins) to build positive experiences and prepare your organisation for larger transformations.

• New Business Paradigm: AI should be seen not just as an IT project but as a strategic lever for innovation, enabling new business models and competitive advantages.

Your Partner for Business Model Innovation with AI

IDEASCANNER is a pioneer in AI-driven business model innovation. The platform is used by accelerators, incubators, and leading academic institutions such as the Digital Business School at HfWU. Melanie Stütz, CEO of IDEASCANNER, is expert lecture for Digital Business Model Innovation and empowers students of international M.Sc. Digital Business Management with the AI co-entrepreneur, IDEASCANNER.

With IDEASCANNER, you gain access to proprietary insights and methodologies from Europe’s largest privately funded research project on business success factors. You can scan, evaluate, and scale your business model, identify unique selling points, and increase your company’s value by 2–10 times—with proven results: IDEASCANNER has identified €1.47 billion in revenue potential for SME clients, with an average return on sales of 10–15%.

Who Benefits?

• SMEs and family businesses seeking to increase company value ahead of a sale

• Founders and entrepreneurs looking to transform their business model

• Start-ups and scale-ups preparing for their next funding round

In addition to expert analysis, IDEASCANNER enables innovation departments, accelerators, incubators, and educational institutions to independently evaluate and improve business ideas (IDEASCANNER SaaS).

Why Act Now?

As the OpenAI guide demonstrates, systematically identifying and scaling AI-driven innovations is crucial for business success—yet many companies struggle with practical implementation. This is where IDEASCANNER comes in: with structured methods, AI-powered analysis, and hands-on support, we make innovation potential visible, measurable, and scalable.

Become a pioneer in AI-powered business model innovation

Start your free Pre-Scan with IDEASCANNER today and unlock the full potential of your business—including a clear roadmap to proven growth and sustainable competitive advantage.

Start your FREE Pre-SCAN now or get in touch with our experts directly.

IDEASCANNER: Scan. Score. Scale.

Make your unique selling points and business model innovation measurable, actionable, and future-proof.

For more on IDEASCANNER’s role in the education of digital business model innovation, see the Digital Business School Expert Lecturers.
Stay ahead of the curve: Follow IDEASCANNER on LinkedIn.