Two Worlds, One Stage: Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Startup Ecosystem

What does The Deutsche Oper have in common with an early-stage startup?

More than you might think.

Both are grappling with the same core challenges: how do you reach new audiences while building on an established community? How do you fundraise and develop lasting partnerships with competing priorities and different funding models? How do you stay financially sustainable while remaining true to your mission? How do you grow and adapt without losing what makes you worth following in the first place?

On Wednesday 25 November, NXTLX is bringing together Berlin’s startup community and the team behind one of the city’s most iconic cultural institutions for a morning at The Delta. Severin Hosang, Head of Development at The Deutsche Oper Berlin, will share what it looks like to pursue artistic renewal and build new audiences and partnerships inside a 100-year-old institution, and why the parallels with early-stage founders are more direct than most people expect.

Under new General Director Aviel Cahn, The Deutsche Oper Berlin is developing new audiences and partnerships while building on its established identity and public mission. It is a story about what it takes to build lasting relevance, reach new communities and develop relationships that sustain something worth sustaining, themes that will resonate with anyone who has ever had to do the same.

Paul Scodellaro (NXTLX) will host the morning, leading both the introduction and the live Q&A as an open dialogue with Severin and the room.

AGENDA

10:00 — Doors open. Light refreshments served. Informal networking.

10:15 — Welcome and introduction by Paul Scodellaro (NXTLX).

10:20 — Keynote: Severin Hosang, Head of Development, Deutsche Oper Berlin.

10:45 — Live Q&A. An open dialogue between Paul, Severin and the room. Bring your questions.

11:15 — Open networking. Light refreshments continue.

12:00 — Close.

THEMES THIS MORNING WILL COVER

How to fundraise and develop lasting partnerships across different funding models and competing priorities.

How to build relevance and reach new audiences while protecting an established identity and community.

What building lasting relationships and developing new audiences looks like inside a cultural institution — and what founders can learn from it.

How The Deutsche Oper Berlin is pursuing artistic renewal and new partnerships under new General Director Aviel Cahn.

Why Berlin’s cultural and startup ecosystems have more to offer each other than most people realise.

SPEAKER BIO

Severin Hosang is Head of Development at Deutsche Oper Berlin. Previously, he led fundraising, sponsorship and partnerships at Musikkollegium Winterthur in Switzerland and was a member of the executive team of Zurich Chamber Singers. He holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Fundraising Management from Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and studied Political Science and Modern History at the University of Zurich. His earlier career included roles in public affairs and political management in Switzerland. A trained recorder player and choir singer, Severin brings a longstanding passion for classical music and music theatre to his work in cultural management.

WHO IS THIS FOR

Founders, alumni, coaches, mentors and ecosystem partners from the Berlin startup community. Anyone curious about what a world-class cultural institution can teach them about building something that lasts.

Light refreshments, coffee and tea are on us throughout. Registration is required as spaces are limited.

The project “NXT LEVEL ACCELERATOR” is funded as part of the programme “Nachhaltig wirken — Förderung gemeinwohlorientierter Unternehmen” by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).