The Internet Economy Foundation

A new foundation with headquarters in Berlin has been founded under the chairmanship of former member of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) Friedbert Pflüger: the Internet Economy Foundation (IEF). The foundation's advisory board consists of influential Internet actors whose aim is to actively shape German politics. Their vision involves fair Internet competition and preparing Europe for its digital future. And which city would be better suited for that than Germany's innovation capital Berlin?

The Internet Economy Foundation was founded with the aim of being an independent advisor and partner in dialogue. In doing so, the foundation's focus will be on the latest developments and global interests of the internet economy in Germany and Europe. The advisory board includes United Internet boss Ralph Dommermuth, Zalando founder Robert Gentz, Oliver Samwer, as well as former Telekom boss René Obermann. Chairman will be former top CDU politician Friedbert Pflüger.

The foundation says that their aim is to act as a counterbalance against dominant US giants such as Google or Facebook. The IEF expects politicians in particular to contribute to this by speeding up the process of extending the digital infrastructure, updating competition law and offering improved financing conditions for startups, for example by means of tax incentives or public co-investments.