About
Curious engineer, passionate speaker, entrepreneur.
I lead smart manufacturing in pharma, chair the VDI Bezirksverband Schwarzwald as a volunteer, have founded two companies and written two books. What connects all of it: getting people excited about technology – and shipping the ideas, not just talking about them.
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What I do
Four hats, one direction
Curious Engineer
I keep asking what the digital world of tomorrow needs and which skills get us there – in manufacturing, in buildings, at home.
Passionate Speaker
Keynotes and panels on IoT, smart infrastructure and disruptive business models – for companies, universities and the VDI.
Content Creator
Trade magazines, online publications, two books, this blog – and soon the Visioneering podcast.
Entrepreneur
Two companies founded. I bring start-up pace into corporate environments – and corporate rigour into start-ups.
Selected work
Projects I am proud of
Digital Lighthouse of the World Economic ForumRoche Basel · Programme lead
Unified Namespace in pharma manufacturing[Client] · [Role]
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Visioneering – the book and its toolboxWiley · Author
Data-driven ecosystems for intelligent buildingsBKW · Speaker and concept
VDI Bezirksverband SchwarzwaldVolunteer · Chairman
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Milestones
The short version
- Visioneering podcast in productionFirst episodes early 2027.
- WEF Digital LighthouseLed the application for a pharma manufacturing site in Basel.
- Visioneering published (Wiley)How visionary companies are built – with a digital toolbox.
- Chairman, VDI Bezirksverband SchwarzwaldVolunteer role: inspiring people with technology.
- Creating The Better Normal publishedWhat can companies take away from the pandemic to come out of it even more successful?
- janwokittel.me goes liveFirst article, first book review.
Speaking
Topics I talk about
- Smart Manufacturing
- Industrial IoT & Data
- Smart Buildings
- Digital Business Models
- Visioneering
- Future of Work
Keynotes in German or English, 20–45 minutes, on stage or remote. Happy to tailor to your audience.
Book me for a talkWhat others say
Voices from colleagues and partners
“His high entrepreneurial spirit and his open-minded personality have been highly appreciated and added much value.”
“He brings a deep technical understanding and a natural enthusiasm for innovative and disruptive solutions.”
“Jan is not afraid to try new things and stand in front of the crowd.”
- Roche
- Microsoft
- NVIDIA
- Anthropic
- SPIE
- AWS
- Hochtief
- Syngenta
- Merck
- Siemens
Let’s build something.
Collaboration, a talk, a podcast guest slot or just a good conversation about technology.