“Start-Up The Future”, an event format developed by what when why® for the Allianz Industry 4.0 Baden-Württemberg, unites SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) with modern digitalization solutions and creates new networking opportunities between companies and young talents. The overriding objective of this format is to provide SMEs in Baden-Württemberg with easier access to hands-on digital solutions and to enhance their competitive edge. At the same time, “Start-Up The Future” has a forward-thinking goal: To bring local hidden champions and global players into contact with innovative start-ups and students and in so doing create new impetus for digitalization and collaboration.
An essential part of the event was the 48-hour hackathon, which was specifically created for this special occasion. Here teams of students developed innovative solutions for real problems in close collaboration with five renowned global players in the area. The companies provided specific digitalization challenges that the students could then examine within a given period of time. The best concept was awarded an attractive monetary prize, whereby the actual results provided companies with a real potential for innovation.
A further important aspect of this format was the targeted networking of start-ups with SMEs: Here start-ups with digitalization solutions could meet employees and digitalization stakeholders from SMEs. This exchange, in a hands-on environment, provided SMEs with the opportunity of getting to know innovative technologies and solutions that suit their individual requirements and to discuss these at eye level. In so doing, access to digital ideas and services was made possible, directly and without any hurdles.
As a special highlight, “Start-Up The Future” included the Industrie 4.0 Award for successful digitalization projects in the organization. The award honored projects that are inspirational examples of digital transformation. The prize winners were able to demonstrate how digitalization can be successfully implemented and in so doing motivate other companies to do the same.