2025

Startup Competition

You are an aspiring young startup?

You use or create AI Solutions?

Then apply for the AISR Startup Competition!

Are you running a startup that’s two years old or younger and working with or developing AI solutions? Or do you have an innovative business idea for a startup that leverages AI? Then apply now for our AI Startup Competition!

Your benefits

Win up to €5,000 in prize money to support your business.
Access to coaching and workshops
Branding and networking opportunities
Potential access to cutting-edge facilities

Price money

Money icons created by Icongeek26 - Flaticon

1st prize: 5,000€

2nd prize: 3,000€

3rd prize: 2,000€

Application closed

About the Startup Competition

The goal of the AISR Startup Competition is to support the early development of AI Startups and strengthen the AI Startup Peer Exchange in Hesse.

After a multi-stage selection process, the best startups will have the chance to pitch at the final event of the competition in front of a broad audience. All participating startups benefit from access to business and AI coachings, expert workshops and support for developing their business concept during the application process. The winners will also receive a total of €10,000 in prize money.

The prize money will be paid as in-kind services. No cash payment of the prize!

AI Target Market & Validation

Kick-off: February 4, 2025

This module helps AI startups understand and validate their target markets, with a focus on B2B and B2G environments. It covers topics such as AI technology value propositions, market entry strategies, and validation methods. The module includes group work sessions, practical exercises, and validation planning for individual startups under the guidance of Francesco Pisani.

Proof of Concept (PoC) Legals

Kick-off: March 3, 2025

This module prepares startups for the legal and practical aspects of conducting Proof of Concept (PoC) projects in B2B and B2G markets. It covers topics such as IP protection, legal implications of paid PoCs, and pre-incorporation considerations. The module includes real case studies from successful AI startups and practical PoC concept development exercises.

AI Ethics and AI Regulations

Workshop: March 3, 2025

This module focuses on the ethical and regulatory landscape of the AI industry. It covers topics such as understanding the AI Act, navigating regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations in AI development. The module includes case studies and discussions on implementing ethical AI practices and ensuring compliance with emerging regulations.

Sales and Branding

Workshop: March 4, 2025

This module equips startups with practical tools and strategies for B2B sales and digital branding. It covers topics such as professional LinkedIn optimization, content creation, and AI video development. The module includes hands-on exercises in content creation, practical branding implementations, and social media strategy development with guidance from Cameo GmbH.

Each module is supported by:

Expert coaching from industry professionals
Practical exercises and group work
Real-world case studies
Interactive workshops
Individual feedback sessions

Pitch-Workshop with Meike Neitz

Key Events

Kick-off Event

3rd February 2025

This collaborative event with teams from the Accelerator RISING serves as an opportunity for networking and collaboration. The event includes team introductions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions.

Investor Speed Dating

20th March 2025

This online event provides startups an opportunity to meet and pitch to a variety of investors in a speed dating format. Startups from both the AISR Accelerator Program and the AI Startup Competition participate in this event.

Final Pitch Event

23rd April 2025

This culminating event allows startups to present their progress and pitch their business to a panel of investors, industry experts, and the wider startup community. Startups from both the AISR Accelerator Program and the AI Startup Competition participate in this event.

The six finalist teams of the AI Startup Competition 2023/2024 with AISR-Coach Philip Travers and the jury-members AI Expert Fabian Müller, COO at statworx, Startup Expert Dr. Kathrin Steinbrink, Innovation Director at AI xpress, and Investment Expert David Schäffler, Investment Manager at BMH Beteiligungs-Management Hessen.

About AI Startup Rising

AI Startup Rising channels the startup activities of hessian.AI. The goal is to aggregate and expand existing competencies in Hesse and to build an internationally visible AI innovation ecosystem that understands the region’s cutting-edge AI research as a source of sustainable high-tech and deep-tech startups, supports successful startups, and acts as a point of attraction for talent, investors, and companies.

Application open!

Questions?

FAQ

Who can apply?

Easy application for established startups equal/less than 2 years, (not established) startup projects within shemes such as Exist, Hessen Ideen, VIP+, etc.
A bit more information necessary for (not established) startup projects with solid business concepts

Conditions of participation

Participation in the Startup Competition takes place from February 3 – (end of) April 2025 by submitting the participation form provided on the website until January 5, 2025 midnight.
Only applications that are written, complete, and received in time by January 5, 2025 midnight will be accepted.
German and English applications are both accepted.
Participants agree to present at the final pitch event and to participate in public relations measures related to the AI Startup Competition.
The personal data of the participants will neither be passed on to unauthorized third parties nor used internally for any other purposes besides the Startup Competition by the organizer.
Legal action may not be taken. (Refers only to claiming the prize money. Your business ideas are safe with us and the copyright and the claim to your invention or idea remains with you, of course.)
Participation in the competition implies agreement with the conditions of participation stated here.