Transportation, accommodation, donations of goods and money, or personal support – civil society has found many ways in recent days and weeks to support people in Ukraine and those fleeing the war. Munich's startup scene is also actively participating in these efforts or setting up its own programs. Their activities are as diverse as the industries they operate in, but they all have one thing in mind: to provide quick and unbureaucratic assistance.
The City of Munich has all the important information for refugees from Ukraine in Munich collected on their website.
Flixbus picks up refugees and delivers aid to Ukraine
The bus company Flixbus reacted quickly to the outbreak of war and has since offered additional connections and free tickets from the Polish-Ukrainian and Romanian-Ukrainian borders. The free rides were initially collected through an employee initiative and then doubled by management. Private individuals, companies, aid organizations, and embassies of various countries also support Flixbus with its transports.Instructions on how refugees can obtain free tickets can be found hereThe startup also carries out trips commissioned by the authorities to enable even more refugees to continue their journey. According to the startup, Flixbus has already transported more than 20,000 refugees to destinations across Europe.
On their journeys back to the border areas, the buses also carry relief supplies to supply those waiting there. Flixbus is trying to maintain connections within Ukraine – as long as the situation allows. The startup recently joined the platform uatalents.com , a job platform launched by Berlin-based Ukrainian entrepreneurs. It aims to support displaced persons from and within Ukraine in their job search.
In addition to UA Talents, there are many other platforms for job placement of Ukrainian refugees, such as: jobaidukraine.com, jobsforukraine.net, jobs4ukraine.eu, remoteukraine.org and helpukrainians.jooble.orgStartups can also advertise their vacancies there.
Yfood delivers food, EMH Partners collects first aid kits
"What to do in such uncertain times? Not an easy question, but for us it was and is important to even begin. Actively, with the resources we fortunately have. Because that's what matters now. For us, that means donating meals and transporting them to the Ukrainian border with partner organizations. And thus hopefully helping thousands in need at least a little bit."
so Noel Bollmann, Founder and CEO of Yfood, via LinkedInSince then, the startup has been sending its drinks as donations to Ukraine. It also supplies Yfood Helpers and drivers of other organizations with its products.
In addition to food, medical products and bandages are also of great importance. Accordingly, the Munich VC EMH Partners his office was made available as a collection point for first aid kits from the car or first aid kits from the office. Organized by Dominik Schwarz, partner at EMH Partners, the first delivery has already arrived in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Munich-based 3D printing startups, however, are participating in a different relief effort: Initiated by Stefan Larsson, founder of the Swedish 3D printing company Lostboyslab, they are manufacturing parts for tourniquets, which are necessary for the acute treatment of (gunshot) wounds. Larsson collects these in Denmark and sends a weekly delivery to Ukraine. In the German community, Malping founder Bastian Gaedike has taken over coordination.
UnternehmerTUM and MGH organize donations in kind for Ukraine
Donations in kind of all kinds are also collected UnternehmerTUM at the Munich Urban Colab. Goods can be dropped off directly on site or even delivered via a delivery service. Volunteers then sort the donations before transporting them to Ukrainian cities in minibuses. Thanks to contacts with local aid organizations, the helpers know which goods are most in demand. On the return journey, the buses also pick up refugees from the Polish-Ukrainian border to Munich, where they receive further assistance.
And the MGH, to which Munich Startup belongs, is also supporting the relief efforts: It is providing the aid organization Help Ukraine – Germany Storage space is available in the North Industrial Estate. There, they can collect donations in kind from the public and prepare them for transport to Ukraine and the EU. MGH employees also support the association directly with donations in kind.
Wirelane turns the office into an emergency shelter
Charging infrastructure provider Wirelane has found another way to support refugees. Since the startup's office is barely used due to the coronavirus measures – most employees are currently working from home – Wirelane can make it available as emergency accommodation. Süddeutsche Zeitung According to reports, female ice hockey players from Kharkiv have taken up the offer with their children, mothers, and grandmothers. Wirelane also provides its guests with food, drinks, and toys for the children, and a neighboring yoga studio offers its four showers, reports the SZ.
Whoever Wirelane Anyone who wants to do the same and would like to make office or private rooms available to refugees as accommodation can apply to the initiatives host4ukraine.com, accommodation-ukraine.de and muenchner-freiwillige.de/ukraine Numerous players in the Munich startup scene have already done so and are now using their networks to further support their protégés.
HRForecast and university networks collect donations
The HR tech startup HRForecast has also taken up the topic of monetary donations. Since the company itself employs around 35 Ukrainians based in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, colleagues at the Munich location donate to them and their family members. For this purpose, HRForecast has set up a donation account after consulting with the relevant authorities in Germany. This allows outsiders to participate in directly helping these people. In addition to financial contributions, other options for support are also being considered. on the startup's website listed.
Numerous players in the Munich startup ecosystem have jointly launched another fundraising campaign. Under the name Initiatives for Humanity Start Munich, Manage & More, CDTM, BEA, Enactus, TUM.ai, Academy Consult and 180 Degrees are among those collecting donations for Doctors Without Borders.
