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The following text has been machine translated from the German with no human editing.
A total of 41 teams, comprising around 100 founders, had joined the first cohort of the Startup Launchpad. Over the past twelve weeks, they completed a programme featuring over 20 workshops and expert sessions, coaching, mentoring opportunities and numerous networking opportunities with companies, investors and industry experts. The Startup Launchpad builds on the experience and successes of the Saarland Accelerator and develops them further in a targeted manner. With input and support from Startup Factory Southwest X, it has succeeded in offering an even more structured and internationally oriented support programme for start-up teams at an early stage. There is a particular focus on technology-oriented ideas.
The range of business ideas extends from artificial intelligence and software solutions, through medical technology and industrial applications, to education, food innovation and sustainability. The entire programme is free of charge for participating teams. Particularly promising and growth-oriented teams are given the opportunity, following the Startup Launchpad, to transition to the programmes offered by Southwest X, the start-up factory in the south-west.
Jürgen Barke, Minister for Economic Affairs, who opened the Demo Day with a welcome address, emphasized the importance of technology-driven start-ups for the transformation of the region as a business hub: 'Technological innovations are crucial to the competitiveness of our region as a business hub. Start-ups play a special role in this: they develop concrete applications, business models and companies based on new technologies. This is precisely the kind of dynamism we need in Saarland. Demo Day shows the ideas and entrepreneurial potential that are emerging here."
The focus on technology- and growth-oriented innovations was also reflected in the awards presented:
Several teams were honoured as 'Most Promising Start-ups'. Each will receive a pre-incubation programme worth 10,000 euros from Southwest X, the start-up factory in the south-west, combined with the option of a full incubation programme worth up to 100,000 euros. Thanks to their promising technological approaches and the high quality of their pitches, Tello, Chromamos and Carboslag can celebrate receiving this award, which the jury presented for the first time.
In addition, prizes were awarded for the most compelling pitches – the 'Best Startup Pitches':
The Tello team also impressed with their idea of developing interactive learning companions from children's books and additionally won the Sparkasse Saarbrücken main prize worth 2,000 euros. The same amount has been allocated to a workshop run by Ergosign, which the team is entitled to attend.
In second place came Team Ascle, which is developing a solution for automated, AI-based measurement of intracranial pressure using ultrasound. The prize includes 500 euros from SIKB/SWG Saarländische Wagnisfinanzierungsgesellschaft mbH, as well as a workshop of the same value from the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute (AWSI).
The n3tz team secured third place in the Best Startup Pitches competition with their solution 'Griffi', an AI system for craft businesses that handles calls and enquiries and prepares verifiable drafts of the steps leading up to the invoice.
Griffi also won over the audience, who were able to award their own prize for the first time at this Demo Day and chose the n3tz team's solution by a clear margin, followed by Chromamos and Telaiscope. The audience award was not just about technical excellence, but also about likeability, team spirit and the persuasiveness of the pitching teams. The start-up n3tz can look forward to a professional photo shoot and a workspace for six months at the Saarland University Innovation Center or Start-Up Centre.
'With the Startup Launchpad, we have specifically further developed our offering. Our aim is to support start-up teams at a very early stage and provide them with the knowledge, contacts and feedback they need for the next stages of development. The great response and the quality of the projects presented show that innovative start-up ideas are falling on fertile ground in Saarland and beyond,' says Michael Jung, Managing Director of Triathlon.
An overview of the teams:
Ascle uses AI to automate the measurement of intracranial pressure via ultrasound and integrates this into equipment already in use in hospitals and A&E departments.
CarboSlag develops site-specific materials from regional steel slag, which can be used to rehabilitate post-mining land and mine water more quickly.
ChromaMOS is developing a mobile measuring device that carries out gas analyses for quality control directly on the production line, rather than sending samples to a laboratory.
Fuelbite is developing a savoury, wholesome meal bar without sugar or sweeteners for on-the-go nutrition.
Griffi by n3tz is an AI system for craft businesses that handles calls and enquiries and prepares verifiable drafts of the steps leading up to invoicing.
TelAIscope provides AI-powered demand forecasts for purchasing, warehousing and production, and translates these into concrete planning recommendations for small and medium-sized enterprises.
TeLLO transforms printed children's books into interactive learning companions. Children read aloud, talk to TeLLO and receive answers, all without the need for an additional screen.
ternfold makes AI manageable within real-world business processes and creates interfaces where employees can view, adjust and approve every action.
Press photos for download, for royalty-free use in connection with this press release, can be found at the very bottom of the following webpage.
Background information on Startup Launchpad:
Startup Launchpad is a new support programme for aspiring founders. The twelve-week programme is aimed in particular at technology- and growth-oriented start-up projects. Participating teams receive support through workshops, individual coaching, mentoring and access to companies, investors and experts from the start-up ecosystem. The aim is to systematically develop start-up ideas and prepare the teams for the next stages of their business development. Startup Factory Southwest X co-initiated the programme and the Impuls 2.0 project implemented it for the first time as a pilot. In the future, it may also roll out to other university campuses in the region.
Triathlon – Integrated Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer and FITT gGmbH implement Impuls 2.0, and the Saarland Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy funds it. During the Demo Day, Minister for Economic Affairs Jürgen Barke also officially presented the grant notification for the continuation of the project to the project partners. This secures further support for start-up teams and the development of innovative funding programmes for the Saarland start-up ecosystem.
About Triathlon: Since 1995, Saarland University has been systematically supporting founders from the academic community. This long-standing experience was consolidated in 2023 within the central institution 'Triathlon – Integrated Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Transfer'. Triathlon offers comprehensive support and guidance for start-up, technology or knowledge transfer ideas and translates these into economic and operational reality. Over the past decades, the university has supported the launch of over 550 start-ups, creating just over 4,000 jobs. On average, the Triathlon team supports 120 start-up projects per year, resulting in around 30 new start-ups.
About FITT:
FITT gGmbH, the Institute for Knowledge and Technology Transfer at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences, is an innovative and applied research institution. We offer a wide range of advisory and support services in the areas of research and development, start-ups and skills development, making us a reliable partner for businesses and local authorities, public institutions as well as those interested in setting up a business and start-ups.
The 'Impuls 2.0' project is funded by the Saarland Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy, as well as by the European Union.
