{
  "id": 7265905,
  "title": "Haufe Group: „Wer wartet, verliert Spielraum“: Warum der Mittelstand jetzt in Start-ups investieren sollte",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/haufe-group-wer-wartet-verliert-spielraum-warum-der-mittelstand-jetzt",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-14T06:53:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/mittelstand/familienunternehmer/haufe-group-warum-der-mittelstand-jetzt-in-start-ups-investieren-sollte/100252619.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Freiburg-based Haufe Group has transformed from a specialist publisher to a digital services provider and is thriving as other media companies shrink. CEO Birte Hackenjos sees artificial intelligence (AI) not as a threat, but as an opportunity. The company has been using generative AI for over three and a half years now. In addition to its own operations, Haufe Group invests through its venture arm in young startups, urging its fellow German middle market companies to follow suit.\n\nDuring an interview, Hackenjos and Venture Chief Jasper Roll explained why ChatGPT cannot replace curated industry content, why Germany lacks strategic buyers, and why transformation is never truly complete. Haufe Group offers expertise on topics such as personnel, legal matters, and software for bookkeeping and tax. Can this not already be done by artificial intelligence? Do you fear for your business model? Hackenjos reassured that there is no cause for concern. The company's chances are significantly greater than any threat. It has three major brands: Lexware for software for small businesses, Haufe for digital professional content and Haufe Akademie for further education. On all three, AI is changing the products. The company has been using generative AI for over three and a half years, effectively from day one. And its customers appreciate their solutions.",
  "summary": "Die Haufe Group aus Freiburg investiert strategisch in Start-ups und rät dem Mittelstand, aktiv zu werden. Warum die alte Kaufmannsmentalität im Umgang mit Gründern von Vorteil sein kann.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Haufe Group: \"Those who wait lose room for maneuver\": Why medium-sized businesses should invest in start-ups now",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/haufe-group-wer-wartet-verliert-spielraum-warum-der-mittelstand-jetzt",
        "published": "2026-09-13T15:57:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}