Munich Startup: Please briefly introduce yourself and the XR Hub Bavaria!
Silke Schmidt, Head of XR Hub Munich: Since October 2019, the 'XR Hub Bavaria' has served as a contact point, information, and communication hub for the entire XR ecosystem in Bavaria and supports the professionalization of XR actors in Bavaria. The hub aims to promote exchange, visibility, and market access for XR companies.
The XR Hub aims to make XR technology accessible and tangible for companies and other interested users, such as schools, educational institutions, and cultural institutions. The XR Hub Bavaria is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs at three locations: Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg.
In Munich the XR Hub Bavaria with his 5-person team at Medien Bayern GmbH, which also includes the Media Lab Bayern heard.
In our magazine On the one hand, we use various formats such as videocasts, podcasts, and XR events to communicate the innovations generated by the use of XR technologies and the added value they can bring to users. On the other hand, we are building a community focused on networking, exchange, and knowledge transfer.
The XR Network, which will launch in September, is a digital and interactive industry directory where companies of all kinds can register, network with each other, and showcase their expertise. In this way, we help stakeholders in the XR community and companies increase their visibility, facilitate market access for their products or services based on XR technology, or find partners to develop innovative project ideas. Furthermore, we aim to provide support to all stakeholders in finding relevant information, the right entry point into the topic, and appropriate funding programs.
Many XR funding programs, also for startups
Munich Startup: What do you focus on when working with startups?
Silke Schmidt, XR Hub: Basically, any company, any startup, or anyone interested in XR can contact us. Whether it's about immersing themselves in the world of XR for the first time, getting information about the technology, making contacts, networking in the XR community, or inquiring about specific funding opportunities – we're happy to provide advice and support.
Especially for startups, the question of financing is often the top priority, especially in the initial phase. Fortunately, there are many funding opportunities at the Bavarian, federal, and EU levels. Funding programsthat support the development and implementation of XR ideas. Our XR community offers another great opportunity to network in the XR environment, gain an overview of potential applications and service providers, and find helpful contacts and cooperation partners for the implementation of innovative projects. Companies, agencies, startups, research institutions, etc. in Bavaria, but also beyond the state borders, will soon have the opportunity to register their own profile in our XR network and thus become part of the community. Our XR events (which are currently only taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic) are of course always a great opportunity to make interesting new contacts.
Munich Startup: To be successful, a startup must…
Silke Schmidt, XR Hub: … networking, networking, networking and listening, listening, listening.
“Good contacts are the be-all and end-all”
Munich Startup: Why does a good startup need support at all?
Silke Schmidt, XR Hub: Good contacts and constructive exchange are essential, especially at the beginning! Those who are interested in immersive media such as virtual and augmented reality and would like to found a startup in the media sector can apply for the “All-round carefree” package for founding This includes a €40,000 prototyping budget, an additional €10,000 in consulting and media services, a spot in a coworking space, contacts, coaching, and lots of fun.
The biggest mistake is not making mistakes
Munich Startup: What is the biggest mistake a startup can make?
Silke Schmidt, XR Hub: The biggest mistake would be to make no mistakes at all – that's the only way to learn! Above all, startups should ask a lot of questions and listen carefully, because a product is only a good product if it solves a specific problem for a specific target group. It's often advisable not to be too fixated on the startup idea when it comes to adapting and fleshing it out a bit to meet the needs of the target group.
Munich Startup: The trend of the year is…
Silke Schmidt, XR Hub: … virtual worlds and XR spaces!
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Silke Schmidt, XR Hub: Email us, call us, meet us in virtual worlds. All contact details and further information are available here.
