As one of the largest startup events in Germany, the Investor Days Thuringia (IDT) annually bring startups and growth companies together with investors, SMEs and interested parties to drive innovation. In addition to the presentations of a total of 20 startups on stage, these and other young companies introduced themselves at a booth today and exchanged ideas with investors. Many different topics and industries were represented, from GreenTech, Life Science to Mobility and Digitization to Optics.
Olga Röder and Andreas Sonnefeld, heads of the ThEx innovativ project under the auspices of the Foundation for Technology, Innovation and Research Thuringia (STIFT), opened the 9th edition of the event today at the Central Club in Erfurt and guided the guests through the day. On behalf of the hosts, Christiane Kilian, CEO of STIFT, and Kevin Reeder, Managing Director of bm|t beteiligungsmanagement thüringen gmbh, then welcomed the guests. Thuringia’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee, then addressed the audience with a greeting.
Thuringia’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee: “The Investor Days Thuringia are an important driver for economic development and technology transfer in Thuringia. And they are a shining example of how the Free State promotes innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. After all, since 2016, IDT has been offering a unique platform where start-ups and investors come together to shape the future together. With more than 300 participating start-ups to date and a good success rate in attracting investors and cooperation partners, IDT shows the potential of our region.”
Christiane Kilian, CEO of STIFT: “When investors meet startups and growth companies at the Investor Days Thuringia, innovative business models and capital come together in one room. That’s how acceleration is created.”
Kevin Reeder, Managing Director bm|t: “The Investor Days Thuringia are a model for success. Whether start-up or growth company – at IDT, companies get to know suitable investors and thus take a big next step towards success.”
The partner country of this year’s Investor Days is Japan
The Investor Days Thuringia are open to industries and the world. With this year’s partner country Japan, a total of eight startups from Japan presented themselves, which are part of an official delegation. In addition, startups from all over Germany, the Czech Republic and Switzerland were on stage. In addition, this year’s IDT offered an exciting panel on the topic of internationalization, which was organized together with the Digital Hub Initiative and the Start2 Group.
Among the pitchers were six promising startups from the Thuringian Regional Innovation Program (TRIP). As an accelerator program of the Free State, TRIP brings its participants to investment maturity every year and creates a sound basis for market entry.
Applause for the pitch winners!
The presentation of the Pitch Awards was a highlight of the event. To recognize the most convincing pitches, the jury of investors and the audience selected the following winners in a live vote:
Prize of STIFT & bm|t: in|stead GmbH
Cash prize: € 3,000
Prize of Ernst&Young: DeepEn GmbH
Non-cash prize: € 2,000 Consulting services
Award of the LeoBlu Patent Attorneys: Inline Process Solutions GmbH
Material price: € 2,500 Consulting services
GRÜNDELPARTNER Legal Advice Award: CYNiO
Prize: € 1,500 Consulting services
Audience Award of Apropro Haarbeck: in|stead GmbH
Prize: € 1,500 Consulting services
in|stead GmbH was particularly convincing . The start-up won two awards: the audience award and the coveted prize of STIFT & bm|t.
The second day of the event will take place on 6 June exclusively for investors at the Egapark in Erfurt. Under the motto “Invest beyond the crowd”, 16 selected innovative technology companies in the growth phase will present themselves to interested investors.
