The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy's "Start-up Competition – Digital Innovations" recognizes ideas that focus on innovative information and communication technologies. The winners were recently honored by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Brigitte Zypries at the CeBIT in Hanover Four Munich startups also made it to the stage.
A total of 306 startup teams applied for the competition. In addition to six main prizes and two special prizes in the areas of "Digital Education" and "Big Data," 13 additional teams received prizes of €7,000 each—including four winning teams from Munich. In addition to the seed capital for their own company, the winners also receive tailored coaching and mentoring.
Four of the “Digital Innovations” come from Munich
The Munich winners are the startups Caala, Good Gadgets with Youmo, Laralab and Userlane — four startups that focus on completely different industries.
This is how User lane a technology that guides users through web-based software like a navigation system. This allows people to use software professionally right away, even without prior knowledge. At the end of 2016, the Munich-based startup received a Seed financing (we reported).
Laralab Software systems in turn support Cardiac catheterization procedureInterventions can be individually planned, application-specifically, and automatically optimized. Using specialized algorithms, the software analyzes CT or cardiac ultrasound images, for example, to precisely determine the patient's anatomy before the procedure and provide the cardiologist with recommendations for action. Machine learning and data analysis reduce surgical risk and optimize implant systems.
The startup was also recently awarded at the Munich Business Plan Competition excellent.
The startup is moving into a completely different area Good GadgetsIt was used for the development of smart power strip Youmo It consists of hardware and software elements and combines power supply with other functions. With Youmo, you can not only charge devices via USB or wirelessly, but also transform your multi-socket into a smart home tool, allowing you to turn lamps, televisions, or hi-fi systems on and off according to user-defined rules, or analyze their power consumption.
The startup Caala in turn is dedicated to sustainable Planning of buildingsLife cycle assessments and life cycle cost analyses are essential for this, but highly complex. The Caala software makes it possible, for the first time, to calculate the ecological and economic performance of a building over its entire life cycle in real time, even in the early design phase.
At the award ceremony, Federal Minister Zypries emphasized that, in addition to a good idea, it also requires courage and perseverance. She also said:
"We need this innovative potential to continue to compete internationally. That's why we continue to work to eliminate barriers to growth and bureaucratic hurdles for new business start-ups."
