Martin Groschwald, CEO and Co-Founder Konzepthaus

Martin Groschwald is a thought leader and influential voice in the global mobility and automotive design industry. As CEO and Co-Founder of Konzepthaus, a company specializing in Recruitment, Consulting, Learning, and Design Project Management, he empowers global brands to navigate business transformation. Martin connects the right pathways and talent to realize their visions through cutting-edge design and technological advancements. 

With over a decade of experience, Martin is well-connected in the automotive landscape, collaborating with top OEMs to address evolving challenges and push the boundaries of design and innovation. His thought-provoking blogs, community-building events like Pistons & Pretzels, and contributions to podcasts and industry conferences consistently challenge conventional thinking and promote methodologies that drive the industry forward.

Through his visionary leadership and passion for innovation, Martin continues to position Konzepthaus as a trusted partner, helping organizations meet the demands of an ever-evolving automotive landscape.

The future of every company depends on acquiring the best young talent. However, both future employees and employers face increasing challenges in a highly competitive landscape, making long-term growth more difficult than ever. This panel will dive into the evolving process of discovering and nurturing talent, exploring how collaboration between OEMs and schools can foster individual skills and help build world-class teams.

We’ll also explore how education is adapting to the industry's needs, what young designers must do to stand out, and how companies can better attract and retain top talent in this competitive market. What skills are essential for success, and how can the recruitment process evolve to meet the demands of the future?

Speaker:

• Emanuele Battista | Design Manager - Spadaconcept (IED)

• Danila Giordano | Head of CMF Innovation - Stellantis Europe

• Robin Wöhr | Senior Design Talent Partner- Zeekr

Great design doesn’t happen in isolation—collaboration is key to transforming concepts into reality. This panel explores how cross-industry partnerships, creative teamwork, and strategic communication are shaping the future of CMF in automotive design.

What makes a collaboration truly successful? How do designers navigate challenges like market differences, rising costs, and shifting global dynamics? And how can insights from other industries inspire new approaches? Our panelists will share real-world examples, key learnings, and practical strategies to strengthen collaboration and bring visionary ideas to life.

Speaker:

• Andrea Mocellin | Independent Mobility Designer & Innovator Freelance

• Gabriele Mafrici | CMF Designer - Touring Superleggera

• Joris de Groot | Founder & Designer - Studio Joris de Groot

• Nicoline van Enter | Footwearology

• Sofia Uanini | CMF Designer- Touring Superleggera

• Suzanne Oude Hengel | Founder & Designer - Knit in Motion

From bold color palettes to cutting-edge sustainable materials, the world of CMF (Color, Materials, and Finishes) is evolving rapidly. This panel dives into the latest trends shaping automotive design—exploring real-world innovations in paints, coatings, fabrics, and textures while uncovering the driving forces behind these shifts.

How are sustainability goals, changing consumer behaviors, and global challenges influencing CMF choices? What are the biggest hurdles designers face today? And what emerging materials and technologies will define the future? Our experts will discuss these questions and share practical insights to help designers stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape.

Speaker:

• Anders Sachs | Head of Zeekr CMF Design and Sustainable Transformation - Zeekr

• Florian Schrey | Account Director Brands & OEM’s - Royal Smit & Zoon

• Maria Uggla | Head of CMF Design - Polestar

• Mark Gutjahr | Global Head of Design - BASF Coatings 

• Sascha Peters | Managing Owner - Haute Innovation - Zukunftsagentur für Material & Technologie

CMF Design has long been defined by craftsmanship and physical materials, curated by the best tastemakers in automotive. But today, digitalization is reshaping the field in many ways.

This panel explores the vast possibilities and challenges of a digital-first approach—how new tools are transforming workflows, how technology is influencing materials, and whether digitalization makes CMF more accessible to talent from other industries. We’ll also discuss the evolving balance between tech and traditional craftsmanship, and how the role of the CMF designer will shift by 2030. What skills will be essential, and what might disappear?

Speaker:

• Amy Frascella | Independent Creative Consultant for Automotive, Sustainability, and Higher Education

• Idil Girard | CMF Design Manager - Google Wearables

• Marie-Camille Lecoq | Head of CMF & Sustainability - Lotus

• Veronique Favia | Head of CMF Design - Citroën

In automotive design, leadership and management skills have long been underemphasized. Yet, the best teams have embraced these essential skills, empowering individuals to become extraordinary leaders themselves. This panel will explore how we can improve our leadership and management abilities, both independently and with the support of our organizations. What role do design leaders play in fostering this development, and how do they support their teams in reaching new heights?

We’ll also discuss the evolving role of design leaders, especially when the design department becomes part of the board membership. How can we cultivate a new generation of leaders and what needs to change in our approach to leadership within the automotive design industry?

Speaker:

• Marília Biill | Head of CMF Design - KIA

• Martin Groschwald | CEO & Co-Founder - Konzepthaus

• Monika Pap | Design Makes Sense - Consulting // Advance Design Management at NOVEM

• Zuzanna Skalska | Founding Partner - 360Inspiration

As the final panel of the day, this discussion will bring together leading women in the automotive industry to share insights on their careers, contributions to fostering inclusivity, and the future of diversity in automotive design.

The panel will cover:

• The journeys of successful women in the industry

• Their efforts in supporting and empowering other women

• How we can collectively drive more diversity in the automotive sector

Speaker:

• Anouk Groen | CMF Design Forecaster, Owner RNA Design // Trend Research Manager GK Design Europe // Core Team Member Donna e Mobile

• Corien Pompe | Founder & Chairman - Donna e Mobile

• Maria Paola | AIDA - Associazione Italiana Donne per l'Automotive

• Monika Pap | Design Makes Sense - Consulting // Advance Design Management at NOVEM

Join us during the Happy Hour for an exciting presentation by Zeekr, showcasing "The Art of Connection" followed by the reveal of a groundbreaking student project that reimagines the future of electric mobility.

In this unique initiative, emerging talent was given full creative freedom—unlike traditional design programs—empowering them to push boundaries and explore bold, unconventional ideas. The result? A collection of innovative concepts, brought to life through scale models, that challenge industry norms and offer fresh, Gen Z-inspired perspectives on the future of mobility.

Speaker:

• Aditya Jangid I Senior Designer - Zeekr

• Robin Wöhr I Senior Design Talent Partner - Zeekr

• Cyril Fenoglio | ISD Rubika

• Clémentine Balloy | ISD Rubika