Around 350 start-up enthusiasts transformed Ulm University into a vibrant centre for start-ups, companies and science. The StartupSÜD university network of Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences and Ulm University networked the regional startup scene with local companies at the StartupSÜD Summit on Thursday, 10 October under the motto "Let's create Future"!
The focus of the event at Ulm University and the Artificial Intelligence Campus Ulm (KICU) was on the early phase of the startup journey and the transition from science to application. At the "Science Garden", for example, participants were able to find out how new research results are turned into pioneering start-ups and were given an insight into the journey from the initial idea to market maturity. "Together as StartupSÜD, we support the individual development of start-ups and have been involved in the founding of almost 130 companies over the last four years," said Dr Birgit Stelzer, Managing Director of the Entrepreneurs Campus at Ulm University.
The StartupSÜD players also presented their successes and "lessons learnt" from four years of funding from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection and outlined the next steps with the financial support of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts and with other partner universities.
A "Walk & Talk" took interested parties from Ulm University to the KICU in Science Park II in Ulm's Science City, where various start-up teams presented themselves on the topics of AI, energy and health. In addition, 14 start-ups presented themselves on stage in short pitches. The "Fox of the Year" award, which was presented for the third time at the Summit, went to "The Circle". The Biberach-based start-up uses VR glasses to enable 3D visualisation of buildings as early as the planning phase.
Other items on the programme included a science slam in English and the recording of a live podcast entitled "Women in Deep Tech". One of the interviewees was Simone Sabbione, founder of a medical device start-up from Munich. Finally, the participants were treated to four debates on the impact of technologies in the fields of energy, healthcare and mobility in the future.
The StartupSÜD Summit was organised by the Entrepreneurs Campus, the startup support service of Ulm University.
Text and media contact: Daniela Stang