diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev
diff --git a/ci/VERSION b/ci/VERSION
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/ci/VERSION
+++ b/ci/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev
diff --git a/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION b/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION
+++ b/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev
diff --git a/concourse/resources/LAST_RELEASED_TAG b/concourse/resources/LAST_RELEASED_TAG
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/concourse/resources/LAST_RELEASED_TAG
+++ b/concourse/resources/LAST_RELEASED_TAG
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev
diff --git a/oci/VERSION b/oci/VERSION
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/oci/VERSION
+++ b/oci/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev
diff --git a/ocm/VERSION b/ocm/VERSION
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/ocm/VERSION
+++ b/ocm/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev
diff --git a/whd/VERSION b/whd/VERSION
index 8b1378917..d12da2fea 100644
--- a/whd/VERSION
+++ b/whd/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-
+1.2563.0-dev