When you think about Germany’s strength in business, you often hear about cars, engineering, or global brands. But behind the scenes, it’s the small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) that truly power the country’s economy. Helping these businesses succeed in today’s digital world is someone who has spent more than 30 years pushing for change: Oliver Grün.
From Student Startup to Software Leader
Oliver Grün’s journey started in 1989, when he launched his company GRÜN Software Group as a student project. What began as a small idea has turned into a successful software group that now serves many industries, including nonprofits, education, and membership organizations.
The company doesn’t just sell software—it helps businesses move into the digital era. From artificial intelligence to digital consulting, GRÜN Software Group has become a trusted partner for organizations that need to modernize but don’t have the same resources as large corporations.
A Strong Voice for SMEs
Running a software company wasn’t enough for Grün. He wanted to make sure small tech firms also had a voice in shaping digital policies in Germany and across Europe.
That’s why he became the President of the German Federal Association of IT SMEs (BITMi). In this role, he helps thousands of German IT companies compete in a market often dominated by global giants.
Grün also serves as President of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, which represents tens of thousands of tech companies across the continent. From Brussels to Berlin, his goal is the same: make sure smaller firms have a fair chance in the digital race.
Boosting Local Innovation in Aachen
Beyond the boardrooms of Europe, Grün is also very active in his home region. In Aachen, he co-founded digitalHUB Aachen, a center where startups, SMEs, large companies, and researchers come together to work on digital projects.
This hub has become a meeting place for fresh ideas and partnerships, helping small businesses test new technologies and stay competitive in a fast-changing world.
Preparing People for the Digital Age
Grün knows that technology alone isn’t enough. People need the right skills to make the most of it. That’s why he takes part in initiatives like the EU Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, which focuses on training workers and preparing young people for the future of work.
For him, digital transformation is not just about machines or software—it’s about giving people the tools to succeed.
Recognition and Influence
Over the years, Oliver Grün has been named among Germany’s top IT leaders by Computerwoche magazine and listed by Handelsblatt as one of the country’s most influential voices in digital change.
But awards only tell part of the story. His real influence comes from the impact he has had on businesses, workers, and policies that shape Germany’s digital landscape.
Why He Still Matters Today
Germany’s economy depends on its Mittelstand—the small and medium-sized firms that create jobs and innovation. As these companies face new challenges in a digital-first world, Oliver Grün continues to be one of their strongest supporters.
Through his software group, his leadership roles, and his local innovation work in Aachen, Grün is proving that SMEs can play just as big a role in the digital future as tech giants.
For Germany, that means its digital backbone is in capable hands.
