About SETU

Where Empathy Meets Strategy. Where Diversity Shapes the Future.

The SETU Institute is a platform for people committed to shaping the future.

We bring together voices from business, academia, politics, the arts and civil society to create spaces for meaningful dialogue—not to produce quick answers, but to ask better questions.

Our work explores social cohesion, democracy, diversity, innovation, international cooperation, migration, intergenerational dialogue and responsible leadership.

We believe that lasting solutions emerge when different experiences meet as equals.

Empathie trifft Strategie. Vielfalt trifft Zukunft.

Das SETU Institute versteht sich als Plattform für Menschen, die Zukunft gestalten möchten.

Wir bringen Perspektiven aus Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft, Politik, Kunst und Zivilgesellschaft zusammen und schaffen Räume für offenen Dialog. Nicht um schnelle Antworten zu liefern, sondern um bessere Fragen zu stellen.

Unsere Themen reichen von gesellschaftlichem Zusammenhalt über Diversität und Demokratie bis hin zu Innovation, internationaler Zusammenarbeit, Fachkräftemigration, Generationendialog und neuen Formen wirtschaftlicher Verantwortung.

Wir glauben, dass nachhaltige Lösungen dort entstehen, wo unterschiedliche Erfahrungen auf Augenhöhe zusammenkommen.

Our Vision

A world where empathy, diversity and dialogue inspire better decisions, stronger communities and more hopeful futures.n.

Our Mission

We connect people across cultures, disciplines and sectors to develop ideas, foster meaningful dialogue and turn visionary thinking into real-world impact.

Unsere Vision

Eine Welt, in der Empathie, Vielfalt und Dialog bessere Entscheidungen ermöglichen, Gemeinschaften stärken und hoffnungsvolle Zukunftsperspektiven schaffen.

Unsere Mission

Wir verbinden Menschen über Kulturen, Disziplinen und gesellschaftliche Bereiche hinweg, entwickeln neue Ideen, fördern einen offenen Dialog und übersetzen visionäres Denken in konkrete gesellschaftliche Wirkung.

Two Perspectives. One Shared Vision.

Daniel Plettenberg

Founder / Consultant

Sunny Sharma Kapoor

Founder / Consultant

SETU wurde von Sunny Sharma Kapoor und Daniel Plettenberg gegründet. Sunny verbindet internationale Wirtschaft, Politik und interkulturellen Dialog. Daniel verbindet Sozialforschung, Kultur, Diversität und gesellschaftliche Transformation. Gemeinsam vereinen sie analytisches Denken mit Empathie, unternehmerische Erfahrung mit kultureller Neugier und globale Perspektiven mit persönlicher Haltung.

Sie glauben, dass Zukunft dort entsteht, wo Menschen den Mut haben, unterschiedliche Perspektiven miteinander zu verbinden

Daniel Plettenberg is an entrepreneur, social researcher and cultural thinker. As founder of VALOR Research & Consulting, he advises international organisations on strategy and innovation. He is also the founder of the niche fragrance house Atelier PMP. Through his drag persona, Didine, he has become a recognised advocate for diversity, dialogue and social empowerment.

"I love bringing sharp thinking, philosophy and real-world challenges together. That’s where the magic happens: when we find solutions to problems others haven’t even spotted yet."

SETU was founded by Sunny Sharma Kapoor and Daniel Plettenberg.
Sunny brings together international business, politics and intercultural dialogue. Daniel connects social research, culture, diversity and social transformation. Together they combine strategic thinking with empathy, entrepreneurial experience with cultural curiosity, and global perspectives with lived experience.

They believe that the future is created when people have the courage to connect different perspectives.

Sunny Sharma-Kapoor is an entrepreneur, politician, actor, moderator, speaker and strategic thinker working at the intersection of politics, business, diplomacy, science and international cooperation. His work focuses on education, sustainable development, intercultural,

transcultural and interfaith dialogue. His political work gives him first-hand insight into societal challenges, political decision-making and the different perspectives of people, institutions and decision-makers. As Chairman of a national umbrella organisation and founder or co-founder of two think tanks, he combines this experience with entrepreneurial thinking, international project work and building partnerships between people, institutions and cultures. Together with Daniel Plettenberg, he co-founded the SETU Institute to bring

dialogue, knowledge and diverse perspectives together and to develop new paths towards a more just, sustainable and connected future.

“For me, dialogue means building bridges: between people, cultures, ideas and institutions, so that differences can lead to understanding, and understanding can lead

to collective action.”

SETU INSTITUTE

Ditmar Koel Strasse 32
20459 Hamburg

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contact@setu-institute.com