We are incredibly proud to announce Andreas von Bechtolsheim as the newest addition to our Mainstage speaker lineup. As co-founder of Sun Microsystems, founder of Arista Networks, early Google investor, and one of the most successful Germans in Silicon Valley, Andreas is a true technology pioneer whose investments and innovations have shaped the digital world we live in today.
Andreas von Bechtolsheim: Technology Visionary & Industry Pioneer
Few individuals have shaped the technology landscape as profoundly as Andreas von Bechtolsheim. Through Sun Microsystems, he revolutionized how the world approaches network computing and enterprise infrastructure. With Arista Networks, he transformed data center networking from the ground up. These weren’t just successful companies – they were paradigm shifts that redefined entire industries and became integral to Silicon Valley’s technological evolution.
But perhaps most famously, Andreas was the early investor who wrote that legendary $100,000 check to two Stanford PhD students named Larry Page and Sergey Brin. That investment in Google speaks to his exceptional ability to recognize transformative technology long before others did.
Today, as Co-Founder and Chief Architect at Arista Networks, Andreas continues pushing boundaries in AI, silicon, and optics innovation. His achievements have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Smithsonian Leadership Award for Innovation, EY 2015 US Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and induction into the National Academy of Engineering.
What makes Andreas’s contribution to AI.SUMMIT so significant is his unique triple expertise: technical innovation, entrepreneurial execution, and strategic investment vision. He has laid the technological groundwork for today’s AI revolution and demonstrated remarkable foresight in identifying tomorrow’s tech giants.
Celebrating AI Innovation
This year’s theme, „Celebrating AI Innovation,“ spotlights Applied AI – moving beyond buzzwords to showcase technologies and ideas that help companies work smarter, innovate faster, and lead with confidence. From predictive maintenance in factories to AI-driven healthcare diagnostics, from intelligent automation in finance to scalable enterprise tools, AI.SUMMIT 2025 connects the people and ideas driving meaningful transformation through AI.
About AI.SUMMIT 2025
AI.SUMMIT 2025 – „Celebrating AI Innovation“ takes place on October 21st, 2025, at the EMPORIO in Hamburg, Germany, bringing together 450 participants across four dedicated stages for a one-day conference on Artificial Intelligence. This is where global pioneers who are transforming AI technology into practical solutions across industries come together – from predictive maintenance in factories to intelligent automation in finance, and scalable AI enterprise tools.
AI.SUMMIT 2025 is where bold ideas meet real-world impact, spotlighting Applied AI and the people driving meaningful transformation through artificial intelligence. The event features three core topic tracks – Enterprise AI, Industrial AI, and AI Tools & Platforms – showcased across the Mainstage, Deep Dive Stage, AI.ACADEMY Stage, and Startup Masterclass Stage, plus an exclusive C-Level Track for senior executives.
The AI.SUMMIT 2025 Mainstage Program will also be available globally via free Livestream!
Join AI.SUMMIT 2025 on October 21st! Get your Ticket(s) here!
