Highlights from 2024
Experience what it’s like to attend Freelance Unlocked! 🎉
Watch the highlights from the last event, feel the energy, and see why Freelance Unlocked is a must-attend for freelancers in all industries.
Additionally, explore our gallery to discover the standout moments from the conference, get inspired and see why you can’t miss Freelance Unlocked!
Where
Alte Münze, Berlin
When
May 15-16, 2024
Where
Alte Münze, Berlin
When
May 15-16, 2024
Time
Day 1 (9am- 10pm)
Day 2 (9am-4pm)
About the Conference
What is Freelance Unlocked?
Freelance Unlocked is Germany's only conference for better freelancing. We bring together more than 500 freelancers and over 50 speakers to help freelancers get better at what they do. Whether it’s improving your sales and marketing, redefining your professional development, tackling administrative tasks, or enhancing your work health.
Why should you attend
Why Freelance Unlocked?
Lead Generation to Real Opportunities
Network with businesses and individuals actively seeking freelance talent, creating meaningful connections that transform leads into real business opportunities. Showcase your skills and expertise to those who matter most, turning potential into fruitful collaborations.
Network & Collaboration
Engage with industry experts and fellow freelancers, fostering valuable relationships and collaborative opportunities that can propel your career forward.
Continuous Learning to Celebrate
Participate in workshops and sessions led by industry leaders, enhancing your skills and staying updated with the latest trends. Additionally, celebrate your achievements and milestones alongside a supportive community, fostering motivation and inspiration for your freelance journey.
What’s included for
Freelance Unlocked 2025
- 2 days of conference sessions, keynote presentations and workshops
- Network with a vast community of freelancers and industry thought leaders
- Connect with leading companies supporting the Freelance Revolution
- Admission to the conference party
- Access to all recorded conference sessions after the event has concluded
Speakers
Meet our 2025 speakers
Connect with over 50 industry thought leaders who are actively shaping the Future of Work, contributing their expertise to forge a brighter collective future.
If you are interested in becoming a speaker for next year’s event, please send us your details here.
Sascha Lobo
Author, Journalist, Strategy Consultant - Digitalization & AI
Noha Salama
Germany Chapter Director at Women in Tech Global
Jon Younger
HR tech thought-leader, author, and advisor. Forbes contributor.
Matthew Mottola
CEO at The Human Cloud
Sarah Wachs
Founding Developer at Passionfroot & Organiser of Empowered in Tech Berlin
Nicolas Kopp
Co-Founder & CEO at digital essence GmbH
Alexandra Frey
Consultant E-Accessibility at Digital BarriereFrey
Göran Hielscher
Design Thinking Coach & Consultant at The Inspiracy Group
Maruan Faraj
Founder & CEO at Finally Freelancing
Timo Schmidtchen
Head of Sales at Constaff
Sandra Löhning
Senior Partner Manager at exali AG
Matteo Cassese
Executive & Founder Coach
Thomas Marbella
CEO at OneCode
Magdalena Ziomek
Founder & Managing Director at SMartDe eG
Ralph Günther
CEO at exali
We'll be adding more speakers to the lineup regularly, so stay tuned for further updates leading up to the event! If you’re interested in being a speaker, complete this form.
Meet your hosts
💼 Main organisers
🥇 Gold partner
🥈 Silver partner
💼 Main organisers
🥇 Gold partner
🥈 Silver partner
Speakers
Meet our speakers
Connect with over 40 industry thought leaders who are actively shaping the Future of Work, contributing their expertise to forge a brighter collective future.
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of the full speaker list.
Marc Clemens
Founder and CEO of 9am & CodeControl
Christian Weber
Consultant & Managing Owner at dnext
Florian Alexander
Freelance Product Owner & IT Project Lead
Ulrich Watermann
Co-Founder at zwischen#räume
& Lecturer at INeKO
Karolin Ruehlmann
General Management & Interim CEO/COO
Thomas Marbella
Managing Director at OneCode
Peter Balog
Founder of Freelance Pizza
Fabian Rossbacher
Chief Marketing Officer at SEODAY
Natalia Nestrowicz
Talent Acquisition Specialist at virtual7
Nicolas Kopp
Co-Founder & CEO at digital essence
Simone Harter
Senior Workforce Manager at virtual7
Tomas Renner
Head of Growth at eRecht24
Glen Hodgson
Founder & CEO of Freelance Movement
Nicole Krenz
Founder of Digitales Coworking
Magdalena Ziomek
Founder & Managing Director of SMartDe eG
Melanie Schröder
Business Mentoring & LinkedIn Storyteller
Michael Bender
Managing Partner at Thalent.com
Christian Pyrros
Managing Partner at erfolk.com
Time - TBA soon
Bias now, Pay later – how to Overcome Bias
Have you ever unconsciously focused on data that highlights your hypothesis? Or continued to push a project forward, even though you knew it wouldn’t succeed? Well, you’re not alone. Almost every design decision is fueled with bias.
Time - TBA soon
Design for everyone
Every little thing we do in the interface has an impact and so does everything we don’t do. Inclusive design is about building the right thing.
Time - TBA soon
Redesigning core experience
How do you redesign one of the most wildly contested, highly debated, most viewed parts of a product? In her talk, Meylin will give you insights into how Wise redesigned their homepage and restructured information architecture.
Day 2
Time - TBA soon
Bias now, Pay later – how to Overcome Bias
Have you ever unconsciously focused on data that highlights your hypothesis? Or continued to push a project forward, even though you knew it wouldn’t succeed? Well, you’re not alone. Almost every design decision is fueled with bias.
Time - TBA soon
Design for everyone
Every little thing we do in the interface has an impact and so does everything we don’t do. Inclusive design is about building the right thing.
Time - TBA soon
Redesigning core experience
How do you redesign one of the most wildly contested, highly debated, most viewed parts of a product? In her talk, Meylin will give you insights into how Wise redesigned their homepage and restructured information architecture.
Registration
German
Main Stage 🟢
Opening
English
Main Stage 🟢
Sales & Marketing
Freelance 2.0: How the freelance economy is transforming from a transactional gig economy to the future of work
Freelance 2.0: How the freelance economy is transforming from a transactional gig economy to the future of work
English
Main Stage 🟢
Sales & Marketing
Where is the freelance economy heading?
Where is the freelance economy heading?
German
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
Selbständige in die Rentenversicherung? Die aktuellen Pläne der Bundesregierung
Selbständige in die Rentenversicherung? Die aktuellen Pläne der Bundesregierung
English
Second Stage 🟠
Sales & Marketing
Using events to acquire customers and show your expertise
Using events to acquire customers and show your expertise
English
Workshop room 🟣
Admin & Legal
Compliance Success for Freelancers in Germany
Compliance Success for Freelancers in Germany
German
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Freiberufliche IT-Projekte im Public Sector: Wie Du die digitale Zukunft Deutschlands gestaltest
Freiberufliche IT-Projekte im Public Sector: Wie Du die digitale Zukunft Deutschlands gestaltest
English
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
Freelancer First: How Innovative Platforms Are Prioritizing Freelancer Success
Freelancer First: How Innovative Platforms Are Prioritizing Freelancer Success
German
Main Stage 🟢
Sales & Marketing
So bringst Du deine LinkedIn Präsenz auf das nächste Level
So bringst Du deine LinkedIn Präsenz auf das nächste Level
Main Stage 🟢
Lunch - Main Stage
Second Stage 🟠
Lunch - Second Stage
Workshop room 🟣
Lunch - Workshop room
German
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
Wann sollte man als Freelancer eine GmbH gründen?
Wann sollte man als Freelancer eine GmbH gründen?
English
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
How will AI influence my future of work?
How will AI influence my future of work?
German
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
Freelance Marketing Blueprint: Projektakquise, Personal Branding & Community Building
Freelance Marketing Blueprint: Projektakquise, Personal Branding & Community Building
German
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
Finanzen als Freiberufler: So meisterst du deine Steuern mit Leichtigkeit
Finanzen als Freiberufler: So meisterst du deine Steuern mit Leichtigkeit
German
Second Stage 🟠
Admin & Legal
IT Hub Zypern: Einblicke in eine IT Gemeinschaft am Rande der EU
IT Hub Zypern: Einblicke in eine IT Gemeinschaft am Rande der EU
German
Workshop room 🟣
German
Main Stage 🟢
English
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
(Re)Defining success: Forging your own path in a world of advice
(Re)Defining success: Forging your own path in a world of advice
German
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
Unlocking Success: Als Freelancer souverän Einwände überwinden
Unlocking Success: Als Freelancer souverän Einwände überwinden
German
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
Scheinselbständigkeit, Rentenversicherungspflicht und Verträge für Selbständige
Scheinselbständigkeit, Rentenversicherungspflicht und Verträge für Selbständige
German
Second Stage 🟠
Admin & Legal
Rechtliche Aspekte von digitalen Nomaden
Rechtliche Aspekte von digitalen Nomaden
German
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
Wie man seinen CV in einen Recruiter-Magneten verwandelt!
Wie man seinen CV in einen Recruiter-Magneten verwandelt!
German
Second Stage 🟠
Sales & Marketing
LinkedIn Storytelling für Freelancer
LinkedIn Storytelling für Freelancer
English
Main Stage 🟢
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Averting Freelancer Burnout: Strategies for Self-Care and Mental Wellness
Averting Freelancer Burnout: Strategies for Self-Care and Mental Wellness
German
Workshop room 🟣
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Skills that convert – Choosing the right tech stack
Skills that convert – Choosing the right tech stack
English
Main Stage 🟢
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Why you struggle with self-promotion and what to do about it
Why you struggle with self-promotion and what to do about it
German
Second Stage 🟠
Admin & Legal
Die Herausforderungen der länderübergreifenden Arbeit als Freelancer (mit Fokus auf Frankreich, Deutschland und Großbritannien)
Die Herausforderungen der länderübergreifenden Arbeit als Freelancer (mit Fokus auf Frankreich, Deutschland und Großbritannien)
Networking Party
English
Main Stage 🟢
Sales & Marketing
The unique ingredients in "launch marketing"
The unique ingredients in "launch marketing"
German
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
Effektive Kundenkommunikation
Effektive Kundenkommunikation
German
Main Stage 🟢
Sales & Marketing
Preisstrategien: Wie und wann Du am besten deinen Preis erhöhen solltest
Preisstrategien: Wie und wann Du am besten deinen Preis erhöhen solltest
English
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
The Freelancer’s Evolution: Steps You Go Through On The Freedom’s Path
The Freelancer’s Evolution: Steps You Go Through On The Freedom’s Path
German
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
SEO weapons for freelancers: How to get clients from Google
SEO weapons for freelancers: How to get clients from Google
English
Main Stage 🟢
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Freelancer to Founder: From initial idea to the first investment
Freelancer to Founder: From initial idea to the first investment
English
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Empowering Freelancers with Security and Solidarity through Cooperatives
Empowering Freelancers with Security and Solidarity through Cooperatives
English
Workshop room 🟣
Sales & Marketing
How To Build Your Freelance OS in 30 Minutes in Notion
How To Build Your Freelance OS in 30 Minutes in Notion
German
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
Politisches Panel zu Scheinselbstständigkeit und der Zukunft von Freelancing in Deutschland
Politisches Panel zu Scheinselbstständigkeit und der Zukunft von Freelancing in Deutschland
English
Second Stage 🟠
Sales & Marketing
Lessons learned : What freelancers should know about collaboration with companies
Lessons learned : What freelancers should know about collaboration with companies
Main Stage 🟢
Lunch - Main Stage
Second Stage 🟠
Lunch - Second Stage
Workshop room 🟣
Lunch - Workshop room
German
Main Stage 🟢
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Wie Sideprojekte das Freelancing wirklich frei machen können
Wie Sideprojekte das Freelancing wirklich frei machen können
German
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Freiberuflicher Product Owner: Herausforderungen & Lösungen meistern
Freiberuflicher Product Owner: Herausforderungen & Lösungen meistern
English
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
EU regulatory framework and the Platform Worker Rights Directive
EU regulatory framework and the Platform Worker Rights Directive
German
Second Stage 🟠
Admin & Legal
Freelancer & DSGVO - Richtiger Umgang mit Datenschutz macht Spaß!
Freelancer & DSGVO - Richtiger Umgang mit Datenschutz macht Spaß!
English
Main Stage 🟢
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Product Management Anti-Patterns
Product Management Anti-Patterns
German
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
Die Kraft des Netzwerkens für Freelancer
Die Kraft des Netzwerkens für Freelancer
German
Main Stage 🟢
Admin & Legal
Freiberufliche Tätigkeit in der Schweiz. Wie funktioniert das?
Freiberufliche Tätigkeit in der Schweiz. Wie funktioniert das?
English
Second Stage 🟠
Professional Development & Wellbeing
From Conflict to Collaboration: Leveraging PCM for Effective Teamwork in Freelance Projects
From Conflict to Collaboration: Leveraging PCM for Effective Teamwork in Freelance Projects
German
Main Stage 🟢
Sales & Marketing
Akquise trotz Krise: verlässlich gute Projekte bekommen
Akquise trotz Krise: verlässlich gute Projekte bekommen
German
Main Stage 🟢
Closing
An experienced professional with over 20 years in computer engineering, specializing in language technologies and AI. Passionate about coaching, education, and organizing events focused on personal growth, meditation, and emotional intelligence.
Keynote Speaker Opening - Freelance 2.0: How the freelance economy is transforming from a transactional gig economy to the future of work
Panel Discussion - Where is the freelance economy heading?
So bringst Du deine LinkedIn Präsenz auf das nächste Level
Zusammenarbeit mit Dienstleistern (PDL)
LinkedIn Storytelling für Freelancer
How to calculate freelance rates
Moving towards starting your own agency
The unique ingredients in "launch marketing"
How to build a customer base as a freelancer?
Effektive Kundenkommunikation
Beyond the Gig: Personal Branding, Lead Generation und Strategien zum Aufbau von Communities
Wie man seinen CV in einen Recruiter-Magneten verwandelt!
How to convert more of your deals or applications?
Lessons learned : What freelancers should know about collaboration with companies
Preisstrategien: Wie und wann Du am besten deinen Preis erhöhen solltest
Storytelling for solopreneurs
SEO weapons for freelancers: How to get clients from Google
A successful freelancer’s guide to finding long-term clients
Akquise trotz Krise: verlässlich gute Projekte bekommen
How to move from billing per hour to product-based pricing
Using events to acquire customers and show your expertise
Wie definiere ich meinen persönlichen USP?
Freelancer referral programs: Building a network of advocates
Social selling as a freelancer
Strategic Approach to Marketing in the Age of AI
Wann sollte man als Freiberufler eine GmbH gründen?
Top 10 compliance mistakes freelancers make in Germany
Challenges of cross border working as a freelancer (focus on France, Germany, UK)
Freelancing vs Employment: Which one is better?
Rechtliche Aspekte von digitalen Nomaden
Freiberufliche Tätigkeit in der Schweiz. Wie funktioniert das?
Freelancer GDPR Compliance: Navigating data protection regulations
Efficient Invoicing Practices for Freelancers
Scheinselbständigkeit, Rentenversicherungspflicht und Verträge für Selbständige
Mastering bookkeeping for freelancers
How to open an EU business for freelancers and self-employed professionals
Erfolgreiche Vertragsgestaltung: Do's & Don'ts
How to plan your financials as a freelancer
Reimbursable expenses for freelancers
IT Hub Zypern: Einblicke in eine IT Gemeinschaft am Rande der EU
EU regulatory framework and the Platform Worker Rights Directive
Freelancing in the Aerospace Industry
Averting freelancer burnout: Strategies for self-care and mental wellness
Freelance Product Owner: Navigating Challenges & Solutions
Why do freelancers need a community?
Empowering freelancers with security and solidarity through cooperatives
How to fire a client the professional way
(Re)Defining success: Forging your own path in a world of advice
Thriving together: How mentorship fuels freelancer growth
How to become a digital nomad?
Product Management Anti-Patterns
How will AI influence my future of work?
How to deal with conflicts as a freelancer?
Parenting as a freelancer, how does it work?
The freelancer’s evolution: Steps you go through on the freedom’s path
Die Kraft des Netzwerkens für Freelancer
Can digital nomads ever have a good work/life balance?
Why you struggle with self-promotion and what to do about it
Side hustle success: The power of side businesses
Mit 50 als Freelancer durchstarten
Freiberufliche IT-Projekte im Public Sector: Wie Du die digitale Zukunft Deutschlands gestaltest
Freelancer to Founder: From initial idea to the first investment
Skills that convert: Choosing the right tech stack
An experienced professional with over 20 years in computer engineering, specializing in language technologies and AI. Passionate about coaching, education, and organizing events focused on personal growth, meditation, and emotional intelligence.
Highlights from Xmas Unlocked 2024
Xmas Unlocked 2024: A Festive Celebration for Freelancers
This past November, freelancers from different industries gathered for an unforgettable festive celebration! Xmas Unlocked 2024 brought the freelance community together for an evening filled with connection, laughter, and shared experiences. The event featured a cozy fondue dinner, a lively Christmas party, and conversations led by 12 expert table captains covering topics like Marketing, Legal & Tax, Wellbeing, and Entrepreneurship.
Take a look at some of the highlights below and relive the magic of this special night.
Where
Alte Münze, Berlin
When
May 15-16, 2024
Where
Alte Münze, Berlin
When
May 15-16, 2024
Time
Day 1 (9am- 10pm)
Day 2 (9am-4pm)
Insights from Attendee Experiences
What participants say
about Freelance Unlocked
Discover why so many freelancers from different industries are eager to join us
Christian Grümme
Senior Java Fullstack Developer
I attended the Freelance Unlocked 2024 conference in Berlin and enjoyed the experience. The biggest highlight was meeting the Uplink members; it felt like a class reunion. Connecting with so many of them in person, who travelled from all over Germany, made me feel more connected to the community.
Olivia Olivares
Google & Meta Ads Manager
Freelance Unlocked in Berlin was great. Two days of a great program, all about freelancing. There was something for everyone, whether it was legal issues, how to raise your rates or how to network properly. Up to 3 stages of concentrated expert knowledge. It was also a great opportunity to network. I'll be there again next year!
Judith Böhlert
Senior Full Stack Engineer
Freelance Unlocked was fantastic 2 days filled with expert talks, workshops, and networking. My favourite part was meeting and connecting with people from my online network in real life. Kudos to the organisers who brought this event to life!
Mike Gaertner
Senior Project Manager
I always find it exciting to meet new people with diverse backgrounds and exchanging our experiences, ideas and knowledge. This was the greatest part of the event for me. Networking and making valuable connections, exchanging ideas and get to know people you wouldn’t have met without the event. You always meet twice 😉 I went to network with people and was 100% satisfied with the outcome of the event! Looking forward to the next one! Thanks Freelance Unlocked 🔓
Mark Rödiger
Marketing Manager
In May 2024, I had the opportunity to attend Freelance Unlocked in Berlin. The various panels and lectures offered a wide range of insights into topics and challenges relevant to me. I particularly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, which made networking easier and allowed me to make valuable connections. Overall, it was an inspiring event that I would gladly attend again.
Josefine Walter
Agile Coach & Scrum Master
Freelance Unlocked does so much differently! It's a networking event for freelancers that takes networking seriously. I enjoyed the community aspect the most. Freelance Unlocked connects people in various ways, starting right from the beginning with WhatsApp groups and helping participants find commonalities. This gives everyone the opportunity to get in touch, exchange ideas, and form peer groups with significant value. In this way, a strong community is built. I also learned a lot from the speakers, including how to optimize my LinkedIn profile and CV, as well as how to better handle the legal aspects of my business. Thank you for making this possible!
Katrin Zinke
eLearning Author
A conference just for freelancers? Yes, it really exists. The format is impressive, featuring a wide range of presentations, workshops, and a lot of opportunities for networking. I've never experienced such a great chance to connect with participants before, during, and after the conference. The presentations provided valuable insights: When should I establish a GmbH? When can I raise my prices? What do I need to consider regarding GDPR and working abroad? I’m already looking forward to the next one. It’s hard to imagine it being any better.
Nicole Kamp
Agile Business Analyst
Freelance Unlocked was a great experience. 2 days filled with interesting and helpful content. Besides the presentations and workshops, one of the best parts was to exchange experiences and connect with other freelancers. It’s a friendly and open community, and I look forward to next year.
Göran Hielscher
Design Thinking Coach & Consultant
Freelance Unlocked met my expectations for connecting with interesting people and gaining valuable insights, though I hoped for more diversity beyond tech. I loved the atmosphere, location, and well-crafted agenda that allowed for networking in Berlin. The presence of government representatives was encouraging. Professionally, I made amazing connections and learned about the tech world. While the full benefits will materialize later, it was an energizing event for an important topic. Certainly my networking sparks ignites the fire soon.
Yun Qiu
Business & Mindset Growth
I attended Freelancer Unlocked in May 2024, and it was just awesome. Even though I only attended one day of two, I still took so much out of it: insightful speeches, amazing outgoing people from different industries, and a great location and environment. All in all, everything was perfect!
Bertrand Rothen
Senior Product Management Consultant
Freelance Unlocked definitely is the conference to be for all freelancers in tech & digital! A great event for 'new freelancers' to find answers to questions we all had at some point (like how to navigate German bureaucracy and get clients), and for more seasoned freelancers to brush up on current trends, reconnect with friends – and also meet new ones. I was impressed by the production values (amazing main stage!), great content curation, no-fuss vibe (no suits, no complicated schedule or venue), and it was nice atmosphere to bring a lot of people together that usually work individually!
Our Location:
Alte Münze Berlin
About
Berlin’s former State Mint, built in the 1930s, now operates as a venue for meetings & events.
Address
Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2
10179 Berlin, Germany
When
May 15-16, 2024
Day 1 (9am-6pm), Day 2 (9am-4pm)
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