Building AI Competence: Collaboratively, Practically, Systematically

Building AI Competence: Collaboratively, Practically, Systematically

Artificial intelligence is transforming how software is created, how development teams work, and how products are refined. For medium-sized software companies, the question is no longer simply whether they should engage with AI. The key is how they can leverage this change to their advantage.

This is exactly where we at FORUM support our portfolio companies.

What Happens in the Formats

Through conferences, workshops, and hackathons, we bring together CEOs, CTOs, and development teams from our portfolio companies. The topics are deliberately chosen to be practical: AI-driven software development, requirements engineering, quality assurance, and brownfield refactoring. At the same time, we address strategic questions: How can corporate knowledge be integrated into AI systems? Which technical approaches, such as RAG or MCP, are relevant? And which capabilities should be developed internally, and where might external support be useful?

The focus here is on a specific question: How can AI generate real business value for this product, these customers, and this development process?

The Benefits of the Alliance

Our companies often face similar challenges, but at different stages. Some are testing their first applications. Others have launched their own internal AI initiatives. Still others are dealing with legacy systems, data protection, or the selection of appropriate tools.

This is precisely where a real advantage of the FORUM Group lies: Our portfolio companies are not alone in grappling with these issues. Experiences are shared. Successful approaches can be replicated. And typical mistakes don’t have to be repeated. As a result, AI is not approached in isolation within individual companies, but rather as a shared priority within the FORUM Group.

The key expertise lies within the companies themselves. They know their markets, their customers, their products, and their processes best. AI becomes particularly valuable when it is combined with this knowledge.

Our Approach

At FORUM, we don't view AI as a short-term trend, but rather as one of the key changes that software companies will face in the coming years. That's why we provide inspiration, share knowledge, facilitate dialogue, and help turn initial ideas into concrete next steps.

Our goal is clear: Our portfolio companies should actively shape the AI transformation rather than simply watching it unfold.

After all, when AI boosts productivity, improves quality, and creates new opportunities for customers, it becomes a real competitive advantage. 

Not on paper, but in the product.

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