Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis and the lockdown in Bavaria, numerous Munich-based startups have launched a wide variety of support programs. Many other young companies have since joined the trend.
In the healthcare sector, the first step against Corona for many Munich-based startups was to make their existing solutions and resources available free of charge. Smart Reporting For example, its digital solution for structured medical reporting is currently available to radiologists free of charge. The intelligent software allows physicians to digitize medical reports, leading to improvements in quality and efficiency.
Meanwhile, some of them have also launched new projects. The digital heart center Iatros For example, it has developed an online risk test for cardiovascular patients that allows those affected to determine their risk of developing a severe course of the disease. After the test, patients can also receive advice from a specialist in a virtual consultation as part of the "Corona Heart Aid" program. The platform is available to clinics and cardiologists free of charge during the pandemic.
Health app provider Vitokrates, meanwhile, has launched a new app called "Covidella" in stores. It's designed to coach people toward a stronger immune system and a higher quality of life during the coronavirus crisis. With practical suggestions, gamification, and reward systems, Covidella aims to help its users achieve personal goals in the areas of physical and mental well-being. The app is available to all users free of charge and without restrictions.
Terraplasma Medical has developed a portable medical device for wound care using cold atmospheric plasma. The device is typically used to treat acute and chronic wounds. In the fight against COVID-19, the company is now conducting preclinical studies to test the use of the technology in ventilated patients. The aim is to determine whether the device can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in the upper respiratory tract. In addition to reducing viral load, cold plasma can neutralize multidrug-resistant bacteria in the upper respiratory tract, thus helping to prevent bacterial pneumonia.
Startups help trade and commerce during the Corona crisis
With public life largely restricted, customers are no longer shopping in local stores, which poses a particularly significant problem for smaller businesses and labels that operate only a small online shop or no online shop. In addition, supply bottlenecks and the temporary closure of production facilities can occur. This poses a serious threat to the existence of these companies. Startups have also declared war on the coronavirus. For example, the Munich-based founders of the Fair Fashion Shopping Community Jesango A temporary marketplace has been created where affected brands and small shops can position themselves. All labels in the marketplace are promoted through a newsletter and on the social media channels Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
The prospectus startup Weekly, which digitizes the classic advertising brochure, allows affected and local companies to display a flyer or brochure free of charge for 4 weeks on its But the platform we have developed at mbiomics is radically different. For example, they can inform their customers that they are still open, offer a delivery service, or even offer products online.
Support also for the craft industry
In the skilled trades, the coronavirus crisis is not only leading to order losses and thus liquidity bottlenecks, but at the same time, a lot of material is sitting in stock due to the lack of work. On the online platform Materialrest24.de, tradespeople can monetize these materials. To do so, they can post their stored materials online, complete with pictures and descriptions, add their asking price, and thus offer their virtual warehouse to potential buyers. Price negotiations take place directly between the seller and buyer, as does the agreement on delivery. To support the company during the coronavirus crisis, Materialrest24 Membership on the platform is available free of charge for one year.
Donations for sports
The postponement of the Olympic Games not only has economic consequences for sponsors, tourism, and associations, but also for the athletes themselves. Without the Games, they will miss out on prize money as well as sponsorship contracts—even more so in sports that don't have expensive, multimillion-dollar professional operations. The startup supports these athletes. Air Upby donating 2 euros to the German Sports Aid Foundation for each starter set of a charity edition sold.
The Munich high-tech company builder Mantro In turn, Spendenturbo.org has launched a donation platform to support organizations, where private donors can donate money to a organization of their choice. At the same time, companies, so-called Turbos, have the opportunity to open a donation pot on the website and double every donation made by a private individual for a specific organization. So, if a person willing to donate pays fifty euros, the organization receives at least this amount, or, if there is a Turbo, double the amount. In addition, Spendenturbo offers companies the opportunity to get involved on a larger scale through larger donation pots, which organizations can apply for.
Free coaching and tutorials
The Munich-based coaching and training institute Powerful Minds focuses on upper and top management. During the Corona crisis, the institution offers executives and entrepreneurs a free coaching to overcome the crisis The focus is primarily on sharing experience in dealing with crises and knowledge about how to offer guidance to your company, your team, or yourself in these situations.
For many retailers, cafés, restaurants, and service providers, having their own website is currently one of the few ways to stay in touch with customers. They can use it, for example, to provide information about current opening hours or advertise their delivery service. Anyone who doesn't yet have a website and wants to change that can find a series of video tutorials on getting started with WordPress at you-wp.de. This free service was created by Unterschleissheim-based electronics retailer Robert Bierl.
