Munich Startup: Who are you and what does the Media Lab Bayern do in Munich?
Pia Lexa, Team Lead: Since 2015, Media Lab Bayern has been promoting and supporting media professionals in finding and implementing innovative ideas. To this end, around 25 team members at the two locations in Munich and Ansbach develop targeted, regular support programs for the industry and, in addition to a broad network, provide their expertise and space for innovation.
Munich Startup: What are the most significant milestones from ten years of Media Lab for you? Looking back, what makes you truly proud – and why??
Pia Lexa: Since we are currently 10th anniversary We have compiled some figures that make us very proud: since 2015, our startups have acquired over 30,000 paying customers and raised over 60 million euros in venture capital. In addition to public funding, we were able to raise another 2.5 million euros on the open market – from partners such as Bundeswehr University or the Robert Bosch Foundation. One figure makes us particularly happy: 84 percent of our startups are still active three years after the end of their funding. That's 27 percent higher than the market average for US startups.
Why the Media Lab's funding design works
Munich Startup: You have supported over 100 startups – what makes your funding design so effective?
Pia Lexa: We offer a mix of financial support, a safe space for learning, meaningful methods, and close facilitation. Unlike other investors, we take no equity stakes and use public funds very specifically for our industry. We have incredibly well-connected networks here and can consistently connect the talents in our programs with the right contacts in the industry. This community and the exchange between them are immensely important – especially because the media industry is so dynamic. In the end, the feedback we often receive is that the coaching and strong hand of our program managers are particularly helpful. Of course, money is important – but more important is the space for learning experiences and support from experts. Everyone benefits from the fact that our programs are user-centered learning experiences that are continuously iterated and developed further. This mix is the reason why our founders can persevere and stick with it longer.
Munich Startup: Over 60 million euros of investments were made for your startups and 250+ jobs were created through you – what is behind this balance sheet?
Pia Lexa: I would say the tireless dedication of the Media Labbies over the past ten years, coupled with the positive attitude of our Fellows. The media industry is a people business—which is why our coaches and many cooperation partners also contribute to our success; this is not an individual achievement. And, last but not least, the fact that the public sector considers this commitment relevant and supports us.
Impulses for the media ecosystem
Munich Startup: How do you use your position to set new impulses in the media sector?
Pia Lexa: This, too, is an extraordinary team effort. All Labbies, as well as all colleagues from our sister initiatives at Medien.Bayern GmbH, are media aficionados who consistently leverage their own expertise and networks to share knowledge, promote innovation, and thus shape the future of the industry: in daily exchanges with our community, via social media, or at our own or third-party industry events.
Munich Startup: How does the Munich startup ecosystem benefit from your work here?
Pia Lexa: Firstly, through our networking activities, through which we bring together and empower founders – for example, through our numerous events such as barcamps, meet-ups, and (side) events – for example, as part of Bits & Pretzels. The networking concept is important here, as is the transfer of founder know-how. We also offer office space in our open space – of course, exclusively for talented people from the media sector.
Munich Startup: What are the most exciting startups that have emerged with you and your programs so far?
Pia Lexa: It's difficult to make a selection here, as we have supported quite a few good founders and teams in ten years. I would therefore choose a selection from the currently expiring batch and Articlely and So Done. Especially because both address truly pressing challenges: monetizing journalistic content, reaching young audiences, and dealing with hate speech.
Events as a driver of innovation
Munich Startup: You organize countless events such as BIPoC meetups, barcamps, a festival – what role do these formats play in your work?
Pia Lexa: Innovation doesn't happen alone—it requires a diversity of perspectives and exchange. And that's incredibly easy at events when the right people come together and learn from each other. That's why the constant development of our events is truly a labor of love, into which we invest a great deal of love and energy—the role of events is absolutely central.
The Media Lab through the ages
Munich Startup: 10 years of Media Lab Bayern: What are you most proud of??
Pia Lexa: We've been successfully operating in the innovation business for ten years, and we've not only maintained our position but have also steadily expanded our successes. Our profession means we're never bored, and that makes us proud.
Munich Startup: And where will the Media Lab Bayern be in ten years? What developments, partnerships, or scaling are you driving forward in the long term??
Pia Lexa: Crystal ball gazing – our favorite discipline! Let's get started... We're convinced that cooperation wins. Therefore, we plan to enter into significantly more partnerships in the future and continuously expand our network throughout Germany. Joint funding projects we currently have with SWR X Lab and Mastodon, for example, to work on new solutions for the Fediverse, serve as a blueprint here.
Munich Startup: What is your greatest wish for the media industry – and what can the Media Lab contribute to it??
Pia Lexa: First, that the industry remains as fiercely committed to the future as it has always been from the beginning. And that it joyfully embraces progress without losing a healthy dose of skepticism. And that it continues to cheerfully reinvent itself to shape the futures of tomorrow.
If you're feeling inspired and are currently working on a startup idea, or are in the idea phase for a media startup, the Media Lab Bayern supports and encourages you to develop innovative, digital media products! The application phase for the next startup batch has just begun. Here you can register.
