The “AI Startup Landscape Hessen 2024” is intended to increase the visibility of AI startups in Hessen and thereby also facilitate access for companies, investors, politicians and those interested in startups. Thanks to the excellent cooperation with other partners from the startup ecosystem in Hessen, the team of AI Startup Rising created a data-based tool that provides a comprehensive overview of AI startups in Hessen.
In contrast to other startup maps, the AI Startup Landscape Hessen also depicts startups in the late pre-foundation phase. This area in particular has a lot of potential in Hesse, says Tobias Kehl, the project leader of AI Startup Rising:
“It is important to us to also make projects visible that have not yet been officially founded. Hesse has a great strength here thanks to its many universities, colleges and support programs. In addition, it is immensely important for these projects in particular to come into contact with potential customers and investors at an early stage.”
The database behind the Landscape is to be further expanded in the longer term to provide more detailed information on the teams, funding, programs completed, etc. In the future, this collected data could help to identify success factors and stumbling blocks and incorporate this knowledge into the funding programs of the ecosystem and authorities.
Take me to the AI Startup Landscape Hessen
We’re on the brink of an exhilarating transformation in the AI landscape in Hesse and beyond, as the renowned AI Startup Rising Accelerator Program, “RISING,” unveils its latest cohort.
This year, RISING is set to catapult AI-centric startups into a new dimension of growth and innovation.
Meet the Game-Changers:
- Proteineer: Venturing into the depths of DNA sequencing with advanced deep-learned protein language models, they’re set to revolutionize protein discovery and accelerate research.
- Cyreen GmbH: Cyreen sets a new standard in in-store retail media by offering precise measurement and targeting opportunities to brick-and-mortar stores – basically a GDPR-compliant, offline web cookie.
- Persival GmbH: Specializing in perception sensor simulation software, their work is pivotal for AI-driven automated driving systems, expanding into various robotic and infrastructure applications.
- Veli GmbH: With a heart for elder care, they are revolutionizing safety at home based on the energy consumption data to enable a safe and worry-free life into old age.
- ANTICIPATE GmbH: Transforming manufacturing processes with an AI-based system to detect and reduce errors in manual assembly, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
What’s in Store?
From November 2023 to April 2024, these startups will undergo an intense 5-month journey, equipped with a €10,000 prize, mentorship from AI experts, and exclusive, tailored workshops. They’ll gain invaluable insights in sales, VC-readiness, leadership, and storytelling, preparing them to navigate the challenges of scaling up and securing investments.
Connect and Grow:
This program isn’t just about acceleration; it’s a melting pot of innovation and collaboration. As these startups take on this transformative journey, they’re not just rising – they’re reshaping the future of AI.
You want to take part in the Open Idea Competition 2023 and put the finishing touches on your idea? In this workshop you will get expert feedback on your idea sketch and valuable input on how to take your idea to the next level.
In this workshop, you will
- learn about value proposition design and how it can be applied for your idea
- get valuable feedback for your idea from expert coaches and peers
- fine-tune and polish your idea sketch before the submission deadline on May 22
Your coach:
- Marius Schmidt, SOMMERRUST GmbH
This workshop will take place at the hessian.AI offices in Darmstadt. There will be three Ideation Workshops in Darmstadt, Marburg and Kassel so you can choose which location is the closest to you.
Looking forward to meeting you & your ideas! If you have any questions beforehand please contact .
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You want to take part in the Open Idea Competition 2023 and put the finishing touches on your idea? In this workshop you will get expert feedback on your idea sketch and valuable input on how to take your idea to the next level.
In this workshop, you will
- learn about value proposition design and how it can be applied for your idea
- get valuable feedback for your idea from expert coaches and peers
- fine-tune and polish your idea sketch before the submission deadline on May 22
Your coaches:
- Julian Winter, Marburger Institut für Innovationsforschung und Existenzgründungsförderung (MAFEX)
- Matthias Beurer, Marburger Institut für Innovationsforschung und Existenzgründungsförderung (MAFEX)
This workshop will take place at the Phillips University Marburg. There will be three Ideation Workshops in Darmstadt, Marburg and Kassel so you can choose which location is the closest to you.
Looking forward to meeting you & your ideas! If you have any questions beforehand please contact .
powered by eveeno.de
You want to take part in the Open Idea Competition 2023 and put the finishing touches on your idea? In this workshop you will get expert feedback on your idea sketch and valuable input on how to take your idea to the next level.
In this workshop, you will
- learn about value proposition design and how it can be applied for your idea
- get valuable feedback for your idea from expert coaches and peers
- fine-tune and polish your idea sketch before the submission deadline on May 22
Your coaches:
This workshop will take place in the Idea Lab at the Science Park Kassel. There will be three Ideation Workshops in Darmstadt, Marburg and Kassel so you can choose which location is the closest to you.
Looking forward to meeting you & your ideas! If you have any questions beforehand please contact .
powered by eveeno.de
What problem would you like to solve with artificial intelligence? You are already dreaming to create the next big AI startup? Win up to 2,500€ for your #AIdea – join the Open Idea Competition of AI Startup Rising, your AI startup ecosystem in Hesse, until May 22, 2023!
- Place: 2,500 €
- Place: 1,500 €
- Place: 1,000 €
About the Open Idea Competition
With the AI Startup Rising Open Idea Competition, we want to motivate potential founders and people interested in founding companies to develop and advance innovative and AI-based product or business ideas or research results. During the submission phase, three ideation workshops will be held in southern, central and northern Hesse to support the teams with their idea sketches.
After a multi-stage selection process, the best ideas will be awarded prizes and presented to representatives from business and politics at an evening event in mid-June. All participants will receive feedback on their ideas. The winners will also receive a total of €5,000 in prize money.
The prize money will be paid as in-kind services. No cash payment of the prize!
About AI Startup Rising
AI Startup Rising channels the startup activities of hessian.AI, the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence. 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, produces successful startups, and acts as a point of attraction for talent, investors, and companies.
The AI Startup Rising Incubator is a structured incubator with strategic impulses, individual coaching, and financial support.
In the incubator, we lead five startups from the pilot phase to market readiness. We offer six coaching modules that build on each other over a period of 10 weeks. The focus is on the optimization and professionalization of your AI technology stack, quality management, sales, venture capital, marketing, and IP + legal.
Startups with their MVP and proof of concept clearly achieved and ready for a pilot phase to achieve market readiness are invited to apply. Also, the startup should be in the process of being incorporated or already incorporated as a legal entity in Germany at the start of the incubator.
The program starts in May 2023 and ends after three months with a pitch event at the AICon conference.
Submit your application by April 17, 2023.
AI Startup Rising is launching a funding opportunity for AI startup projects. The Lean AI Startup Funding is a program designed to give teams the time to test and validate their AI Idea and turn it into a business case.
The goal of the Lean AI Startup Funding (LAISF) is to bring ideas from research into practice. Research-driven startup ideas are usually very tech-oriented and have little market readiness. LAISF gives you both the time and the financial freedom to validate your business model, develop your prototype and raise your investment readiness level.
LAISF is a six month program and provides funding for one person full-time or two persons part-time. Additionally, the teams can spend up to 30,000€ for material expenses to prototype their ideas.
Further information can be found at www.hessian.ai/entrepreneurship/laisf.
Who is eligible?
The funding can either be provided as an exemption if the applicants are currently pursuing their PhD at one of the hessian.AI partner universities, or in other cases as a scholarship.
For the exact details please refer to the concept paper in the download section of the LAISF website.
How to Apply?
Applications will be accepted continuously. The next deadline is May 2, 2023.
For the application process please see the LAISF website.
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, produces successful startups, and acts as a point of attraction for talent, investors, and companies.
AI Startup Rising is launching a funding opportunity for AI startup projects. The Lean AI Startup Funding is a program designed to give teams the time to test and validate their AI Idea and turn it into a business case.
The goal of the Lean AI Startup Funding (LAISF) is to bring ideas from research into practice. Research-driven startup ideas are usually very tech-oriented and have little market readiness. LAISF gives you both the time and the financial freedom to validate your business model, develop your prototype and raise your investment readiness level.
LAISF is a six month program and provides funding for one person full-time or two persons part-time. Additionally, the teams can spend up to 30,000€ for material expenses to prototype their ideas.
Further information can be found at www.hessian.ai/entrepreneurship/laisf.
Who is eligible?
The funding can either be provided as an exemption if the applicants are currently pursuing their PhD at one of the hessian.AI partner universities, or in other cases as a scholarship.
For the exact details please refer to the concept paper in the download section of the LAISF website.
How to Apply?
Applications will be accepted continuously. The next deadline is February 10th, 2023.
For the application process please see the LAISF website.
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, produces successful startups, and acts as a point of attraction for talent, investors, and companies.
The five startups of the current AI Startup Rising Accelerator program met the Hessian Minister for Digital Strategy and Development, Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus, last week at a fireside evening at Jagdschloss Kranichstein in Darmstadt.
In her welcoming speech, Prof. Sinemus recalled the founding of her own company out of the TU Darmstadt – still a rarity at the time – and highlighted that the promotion of startups in Hesse has made significant progress since then: “Startups need tailwind, both from politics and from society – but above all you need tailwind from yourself,” she said. Founding a startup and pushing it to scale is a long road with ups and downs, she said, and so she encouraged the participants to share not only their successes but also the stumbling blocks they have encountered along the way.
The minister also addressed the special significance of artificial intelligence: “AI is a key technology and a cross-cutting technology. It can be used in many areas and has enormous potential to scale.” She added that this potential should not be left untapped, which is why Hessen is promoting AI in a variety of ways, for example with the Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence (hessian.AI), which is also home to AI Startup Rising. In this context, the Minister also referred to the five fields of action and three fields of innovation of the Hessian AI Future Agenda, which also presents a variety of other approaches to the development of AI in Hessen. She promised the founders at the end:
“We want to build an AI startup ecosystem in Hesse to support people who want to make the future.”
Kristina Sinemus, Hessian Minister for Digital Strategy and Development
After a short presentation of their companies, the founders had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with the minister and other guests from the startup ecosystem Rhine-Main, such as Holger Klötzner, the head of the digitalization department of the city of Darmstadt, as well as Stefan Jäger from AI Frankfurt and Julia Deutschmann from StartHub Hessen.
AI Startup Rising Accelerator 2022/23
The AI Startup Rising Accelerator is a three-month program to support startups with an AI-centric business model in the scale-up phase. The Accelerator runs once a year. In addition to prize money, the selected startups receive mentoring, recruiting support, and participation in policy and expert evenings. The Accelerator’s exclusive workshop program focuses in particular on the topics of internationalization, sales scaling and preparation for advanced financing rounds.
Participating startups of the first accelerator batch 2022/23 are etalytics, PipePredict, Streamboost, Summetix and Wianco Ott Robotics.
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, produces successful startups, and acts as a point of attraction for talent, investors, and companies.
www.hessian.ai/entrepreneurship
Fotos: Yasemin Sevincli / AI Startup Rising