Family business. The first generation founds the company. The second one makes it big. And the third? "My task is to strengthen our position as the world market leader in an increasingly complex world and to ensure that Stihl remains a true family business at the same time," explains Nikolas Stihl. How the chairman of the advisory board as chief strategist sets the course for this.

Innovation. Jens Reindl develops textile sliding mats in his Mr. Snow GmbH, which make it possible to practice skiing without snow and also in summer. In times of climate change, the future could belong to the business model from Chemnitz.

Future technology. Sven Bauer, CEO and founder of the BMZ Group, has turned the company from Karlstein am Main in Lower Franconia into a global player in the energy storage sector. Now he wants to set up his own battery cell production in Germany in order to become independent of Asian suppliers.

The problem of climate change will only be tackled if we stop using fossil fuels for the foreseeable future - no oil, no gas, no coal," says Sven Bauer. Then he corrects himself. To speak of a "problem" is actually wrong. He likes "challenge" better. "Because the good news is that a real energy revolution is possible. We can decarbonise all sectors - electricity, transport and heat. But for this we need energy storage systems, vast amounts of energy storage systems. And that's where I come in."

Hidden champion. When you dive, you need air - clean and safe. The compressor manufacturer Bauer from Munich is regarded as the market leader and industry ace. A third generation woman guides him through an increasingly hostile environment.

Innovation. When it comes to high-tech textiles, most people think of intelligent clothing with woven-in sensors or batteries. Technical textiles are in the process of revolutionizing a wide variety of industries. They open up completely new market opportunities for entrepreneurs.