A diverse program and lively networking opportunities—the "Startup Meets Crafts" format once again impresses all participants with exciting content. And with creative treats!
The German national team has just been eliminated from the World Cup and summer is taking a break. It's high time to lift the spirits a bit. One way to do this was last Thursday's "Startup meets Crafts" event. The event format, which was a collaboration between Munich Startup and the Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria (Munich Chamber of Crafts and Trades) and taking place for the third time this year, aims to bring together what at first glance might not seem to fit together: the startup scene and the skilled trades. Dr.-Ing. Hartwig von Bülow, Head of the Innovation Department at the Munich Chamber of Crafts and Trades, also emphasized this in his brief welcoming speech. However, he also added that a closer look reveals synergies and interfaces between the two sides, from which both startups and skilled tradespeople can benefit.
Wide range of solutions presented
Examples of this were provided by "Startup meets Crafts" in the first part of the event. Here, 14 innovative startups and craftspeople presented themselves in short, five-minute presentations. The spectrum of projects presented included digital solutions from startups for the crafts sector, such as Bilendowho presented a digital solution for more efficient receivables management or Staff board, which demonstrated a possibility for the digitalization and automation of human resources. On the other hand, digital services are also developing from the skilled trades – wherever suitable solutions are still lacking. A good example of this is Digiwood, which wants to declare war on paperwork in the trades with its digital approach.
Less digital, but still highly innovative, was the "Skew" shelf by carpenter Philipp Hiller, which can be flexibly adapted to any sloping ceiling. The audience was enthusiastic about the idea, and Hiller made it clear that he is still looking for production and distribution partners for the production of his shelf.
And the winner is…
At the end of all presentations, visitors were asked for their favorites in a short online survey. The winner was WerkerApp The company's mission is to make construction site documentation faster and easier. Founder Jenni Schwanenberg was delighted to accept the audience award—the Makers' Bible "Beetroot & Steel"—on stage.
After this more official first part, the evening continued with craft beer from Tilmans and the Maxbrauerei Biermanufaktur, food from the Hofbräuhaus Kunstmühle, and a ham-filled atmosphere. One highlight of the summer networking was the Munich startup Wicked Cricket, which offered participants a variety of grilled food flavors to try. Craft Guide Meanwhile, interested parties were taken into the virtual world of crafts.
Interdisciplinary teams & positive feedback
And what were the personal highlights of co-organizer and innovation consultant of the HWK, Georg Raess?
"First, that despite the World Cup and the pouring rain, so many interested visitors made their way to us again. Second, that this year two interdisciplinary teams, consisting of artisans and academics, presented their ideas and essentially embodied what we want to promote with the format: the cooperation between the two. And third: The aroma of air-dried ham and traditional Munich pastries, which gave our event space a very special atmosphere."
And also Gabriele Böhmer, editor-in-chief of Munich Startup, has some positive concluding words:
"With 'Startup Meets Crafts,' we have launched an exciting event format together with the Munich Chamber of Crafts and Trades (HWK) that has more than proven its worth after three years. Not only because of the many interested visitors, but also because of the positive feedback we receive from the participating startups each year. With this in mind, I'm already looking forward to 'Startup Meets Crafts 2019.'"
