diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 363147b2f..d335be836 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.2510.0
+1.2511.0-dev
diff --git a/ci/VERSION b/ci/VERSION
index 363147b2f..d335be836 100644
--- a/ci/VERSION
+++ b/ci/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.2510.0
+1.2511.0-dev
diff --git a/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION b/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION
index 363147b2f..d335be836 100644
--- a/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION
+++ b/cli/gardener_ci/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.2510.0
+1.2511.0-dev
diff --git a/oci/VERSION b/oci/VERSION
index 363147b2f..d335be836 100644
--- a/oci/VERSION
+++ b/oci/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.2510.0
+1.2511.0-dev
diff --git a/whd/VERSION b/whd/VERSION
index 363147b2f..d335be836 100644
--- a/whd/VERSION
+++ b/whd/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.2510.0
+1.2511.0-dev