Japanese startups in the Bavarian capital: This week, Munich hosted a visit from selected startups from Japan. The goal was to facilitate exchanges between local startups and companies and young companies from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Several Munich-based corporations and local accelerators have joined forces to facilitate entry into the Munich ecosystem, particularly for Japanese mobility startups with high potential. Through this exchange, everyone involved benefits—not least Munich as a location that innovative companies from East Asia could actively shape in the future.
Network and more: A colorful program for Japanese startups
In order to round off the offer for Japanese startups and increase the added value, local players, including the LMU-affiliated Innovation service provider ‚German Entrepreneurship', a program was developed. On the one hand, it provided knowledge about the structures, processes, and contacts in the Munich ecosystem, and on the other, it offered the opportunity to build an initial network in Munich.
The Japanese startups came together with German startups such as Toposens, Share and Staff board They also exchanged ideas with Invest in Bavaria, investors, accelerators such as LMU EC and VW Data:Lab, 'Business Development' and 'New Ventures' representatives of the companies.
So Tobias Bahnemann, Managing Director of the award-winning startup Toposens, a lecture on networking in Germany. Bahnemann says:
“The Japanese startups, as well as the German participants, now have very good points of contact if they want to develop their business in the other country.”
Toposens was founded just last year expanded into the USA.
But the multi-day event was also beneficial for the corporations. Through pitches, they got to know the Japanese startups better. Ulrich Eisele from Fluxunit, the venture arm of lighting manufacturer Osram, was satisfied:
"The increased high-tech affinity of Japanese startups fits well with Fluxunit's search areas. Accordingly, we will be focusing more on the Japanese market and are already in initial discussions with local founders."
Visitors also gained direct insight into the ecosystem during their accelerator tour. Both the VW Data:Lab and the Xpreneurs entrepreneurship incubator opened their doors. A little tip: The 5th batch of Xpreneurs is still open. Application deadline is February 10, 2019Who knows, maybe soon it will be “Konnichiwa“ at the Incubator, provided Japanese startups will also be joining in from March.
