Sabine Bingenheimer-Zimmermann - #DigiWomenKA

by Katharina Iyen

Female role models are important. They point out possibilities, they help us to define our own goals and we can learn from their experiences. In our blog series #DigiWomenKA, Katharina Iyen meets one such role model from the
Karlsruhe digital industry to find out more about her, her experiences and her commitment – today in a special edition “#DigiWomenKA meets DLFX2024” with finalist Sabine Bingenheimer-Zimmermann, founder of REGIONIQUE. The Digital Female Leader X-Change (DFLX) has been recognizing and promoting women in leadership positions in the digital industry since 2018.

On a sunny morning, I meet Sabine Bingenheimer-Zimmermann in her kitchen in Ettlingen. I am greeted warmly by her and her husband at the door, where tomato plants thrive in the morning sun. Their home radiates an inviting warmth, enlivened by the soft voices of children playing. The DFLX award finalist makes a fresh green tea and we settle down in the open-plan kitchen. My gaze falls through the large glass front onto the lovingly tended garden where Sabine has planted her beds – a place that tangibly reflects her passion for nature and sustainability.

The path to the vision: A life for transparent and sustainable food

Sabine Bingenheimer-Zimmermann has a special connection to the food industry: “I have been involved with food in detail for 17 years. It has always been important to me that we know what we eat, where it comes from and what’s in it.” This conviction led to the founding of REGIONIQUE. Her goal: products that are not only organic and sustainable, but also offer real added value – fair, nutritious and transparent.

The woman behind REGIONIQUE

Sabine’s formative roots for her current path lie in her childhood. Growing up with four sisters and a single mother, she experienced what it means to deal creatively with challenges. “We were very poor, but I was extremely creative at hiding it,” she says. One story from the tenth grade describes this pragmatism particularly well: because a school trip would have been far too expensive, she had her wisdom teeth extracted: “That was my reason for not going. But in reality, that wasn’t an option. Just like membership of the volleyball club.”

A career with vision

Despite numerous hurdles, she made it through high school with a great deal of dedication and later completed a degree in business administration, specializing in marketing. After completing her studies, Sabine began her career in the food industry and began to explore the complex relationships between nutrition and health – both scientifically and practically. She learned about the health effects of food in further training courses. The annual costs resulting from malnutrition are estimated to be in the tens of billions. “A very expensive price that consumers end up paying many times over,” she explains. “Food is a means to live – not to die or get sick.”

REGIONIQUE: More than just an organic label

With REGIONIQUE, Sabine is therefore going one step further than many organic brands. She brings nutrient-rich, organic food to conventional supermarkets and focuses on the conscious use of resources and fair working conditions. Sabine emphasizes: “It is important to me that we don’t just become another organic label, but that we make a real difference.” The focus here is not just on the product, but on the entire value chain and responsibility towards people and nature.

A conscious approach to nature

The DFLX finalist sees nutrition as a social and ecological responsibility. Sabine clarifies: “It’s not just about organic, but about how we produce to prevent droughts, famines and other global crises.” Her experience in the food industry shows her how mass production is often at odds with sustainability and quality. Consumption has an ecological impact – Sabine is committed to making this cycle sustainable.

Digitalization for transparency: an overview of every ingredient’s journey

Each REGIONIQUE packaging bears an individual transparency code that makes the entire supply chain visible in a kilometer balance sheet. As a Digital Female Leader, Sabine is thus building a bridge between the digital world and real food production. Her vision: to provide consumers with comprehensive information about the journey of each ingredient and to create new opportunities for a more conscious, healthier lifestyle through digital innovations.

“Today we personalize the kilometers, tomorrow the vitamins and minerals that consumers need to achieve certain goals such as a balanced blood sugar level or better performance,” explains Sabine. This digital transparency provides a rare insight into the network of ingredient sourcing and handling and shows how regional food supply can be connected to the digital world.

Between appreciation and challenges in a male-dominated market

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Sabine faced numerous challenges. She describes her experiences as follows: “Unfortunately, retail is very much characterized by classic male business practices.” Despite these hurdles, Sabine remains convinced that her female intuition and perseverance help her to initiate sustainable change – even if this is not always the easiest path.

Karlsruhe as a center for silent innovation

Sabine appreciates Karlsruhe as a location for REGIONIQUE. “An incredible amount is happening here, but not much is said about it.” The combination of technology and a strong network provides an ideal basis for innovative ideas. Sabine praises the city’s character: achieving a lot without making a big fuss about it.

DFLX2024: A platform for female role models in the digital industry

On November 7 and 8, 2024 Karlsruhe will be the meeting place for inspiring women in the digital industry at the Digital Female Leader X-Change (DFLX). In addition to panels, workshops and keynote speeches on sustainability and innovation, the event is all about exchange and inspiration – topped off by a glamorous award show where outstanding women are honored.

Sabine’s story inspires and motivates people to take responsibility in the food industry and shape a more sustainable world.

Contact Sabine Bingenheimer-Zimmermann

LinkedIn
Regionique on the Web
DLFX2024