Promotion and innovation: Together on the road to success for SMEs and start-ups

July 19, 2023

Innovation is the key to growth and success in today's business world. That is why the first InnoPartnerThe 2023 event on 18 July in Walldorf will focus on the question: How can SMEs and start-ups work together - and what funding can support them?

In total, over 100 participants came together and listened intently to the one-minute pitches of the twelve innovative start-ups in front of potential business partners. The solutions presented by WRS Energy, asvin, Lemontaps, psychological.ai, SenseING, Volcanic blue, sklls, scitlab, WÖRK, heliopas.ai, Creatory and Driving school360 ranged from marketing and sales to production and service and showed how diverse the opportunities for collaboration with start-ups are, even in the SME sector.

In addition, eight experts from various funding providers then presented their programmes and support options. At the subsequent marketplace, they were able to talk to both start-ups and companies and discuss potential collaborations.

Judging by the many lively discussions, the event was a complete success. Only time will tell which partnerships and funding opportunities will actually develop from this.

Don't want to miss the next InnoPartner event? Then follow us on LinkedInto be informed about all upcoming events.

Would your company like to start a co-innovation with a startup directly? Then visit the Innopartner website and receive a free initial consultation.

A focus on five key technologies

The Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub focuses on five areas of technology that are of particular importance to the region’s competitiveness:

- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Use in production, logistics, quality management and data-driven services
- Cyber security: Critical infrastructure protection, industrial IT security and secure data rooms
- Industry Tech: IoT applications, sensor technology, automation, data analysis and networked production processes
- Sustainability and energy efficiency: CO₂ reporting, energy-saving potential in production and buildings, and drivers for the circular economy – all measurable through key digital technologies
- The Metaverse and Extended Reality (XR): Virtual and augmented reality as platforms for collaboration, training and product development, digital twins and immersive experiences

AI-powered matching platform: The right partner at the touch of a button

A key component of the Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub is the AI-powered matching feature. Companies and start-ups can describe their specific requirements or technology needs. The AI then identifies suitable Contact person and offers from the region’s partner network.

The aim is to match a specific need with a suitable contact as quickly as possible, and for this to lead to a concrete collaboration.

Events, funding opportunities and venues all in one place

In addition to AI-powered matching, the Rhein-Neckar Digital Hub provides a continuously updated overview of regional events, funding opportunities and workshops.

Also available Spaces for meetings, co-working and innovation projects across the entire metropolitan region are consolidated on the platform.

In this way, the Digital Hub makes the region’s various services and areas of expertise visible and accessible via a single digital portal.

Working together for innovation in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region

The Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub is supported by a regional network. Consortium partners are the innoWerft, the City of Mannheim and the 5-HT Chemistry & Health.

As associated partners support the Heidelberg Technology Park, the IHK Rhine-Neckar, the Economic Development Unit of the Rhein-Neckar District Office, the Heidelberg Economic Development Agency, the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, the Mannheim University of Applied Sciencesthe NEXT MANNHEIM and that Smart Industries Network the project.

Together, the partners bring together regional expertise and services relating to key digital technologies.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Skilled Trades and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg promoted.

Discover the Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub now

The Rhein-Neckar Digital Hub provides start-ups, businesses and research organisations with shared digital access to services and expertise relating to key technologies in the metropolitan region.

You’re a founder and would you like to use the Digital Hub for your start-up? Explore the platform and find out which services and contacts might be relevant to your idea!

Discover it now!