For inspiration you can see the program from 2021 here. 

This year's program will be even more exciting and will be published soon.

Get to know the people behind the tour and hints for a successful participation

• Dominik Stute, Head of Unit Innovation, Industry, International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund
• Nick Neidl, Research Associate for Innovation, Industry and International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund

Participating in the tour and opening up NRW's market from an international perspective

• Sharon Masury, Investment- & Cooperation Scout NRW.Global Business, Startup Ecosystem, Tech-Scouting, German-Israeli Chamber of Commerce

Get to know each other

We will bring you into exchange with each other. Meet startups from more than 35 countries with their exciting ideas and products.

Welcome words on the occasion of the fifth anniversary

• Dominik Stute, Head of Unit Innovation, Industry, International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund
• Nina Rieger, Policy Advsior for Innovative Startups, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia​
• Timur Kurt, Project Coordinator - Turkey | Russia | Startups, NRW.Global Business
• Dr. Kim Zietlow, Director Trend & Innovation Scouting, Germany Trade & Invest and it's Digital Hub Initiative​

How the tour can lead to great success: The Story of DB Schenker and Gideon Brother (Croatia)

In 2018, the global logistics service provider DB Schenker with headquarter in Essen and the Croatian startup Gideon met in the semifinals of the Start.up! Germany Tour. Having collaborated at several points since then, DB Schenker joins in June 2021 a $31 million Series A investment into the Croatian robotics and AI solutions company to accelerate the development and commercialization of its AI & 3D vision-based autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

• Erik Wirsing, Vice President Global Innovation, DB Schenker
• Matija Kopić, CEO, Gideon Brothers
• Melita Maganić, Member Relations & Start-ups, German-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Moderated by: Marc Meckle, Deputy Managing Director International, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Essen, Mülheim

Reverse pitches and company presentations of three to four multinational companies from the InsurTech sector that are interested in your business.

• Member companies from the InsurLab Germany
• Signal Iduna
• Marsh

Ten to fifteen startups are selected in advance to pitch live online in front of the companies.

After the BIG PITCH you have the opportunity to get in direct contact with the companies via an online networking platform.

Companies are an essential source of job creation and the development of innovative ideas. In Germany it’s not just corporates but a strong core of medium sized companies – the so-called ‘Mittelstand’ with its many world-class ‘hidden champions’. And more and more startups join in.

But without money a lot of ideas will never come into effect – startups know it best. In our workshop we want to give you an overview about existing financing options for startups in NRW. In addition to private capital and banks, public subsidies can make a valuable contribution to financing.

Greeting / Introduction

• Marc Meckle, Deputy Managing Director International, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Essen, Mülheim
• Sven Wolf, Team Leader Foundation and Business Development, Chamber of Industry and Commerce North Westphalia

„Startup ecosystem finance“ in NRW

• Sebastian Hanny-Busch, Public funding and infrastructure for startups and sme (SME) in North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.BANK

Panel discussion 1: Publicly funded funds and support programs in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Sebastian Hanny-Busch, NRW.BANK
• Jan Gräfe, Managing Director, Gründerfonds Ruhr
• Julian Beautemps, ASDRO GmbH (Startup perspective)

Panel discussion 2: Venture capital in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Michael Geers, Investment Manager, F-LOG Ventures Management GmbH
• Christian Winter, General Partner, Cusp Capital
• Sebastian-Friedrich Kowitz, CEO, talpasolutions GmbH

Time for Q&A

“Around the World in 80 Minutes” travels with you around the globe to discover international startup ecosystems. AHKs, industry experts and startups deliver exclusive insights into the opportunities, their markets have in store.

Moderated by Antje Resech, Director Membership & Start-ups at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), DIHK

Find out which topics related to our three verticals are currently being discussed in the selected markets, such as

• Taiwan
• Finland
• Nigeria
• France
• Argentina
• Tunisia
• Slovakia
• USA

Some of the most important companies in the region present themselves live on stage and
show you possibilities, how to co-operate with them.

• Jan Herzogenrath, Accelerator- and Partnershipmanagement, Startport (Port of Dusiburg)
• Viviane Winter, Digital Strategist, Evonik
• Christoph Niemann, Director, Ernst & Young
• John-Sebastian Komander, Leading Change, Communications & New Work, Signal Iduna Group
• Niklas Hunsdiek, Senior Innovation Manager | Startup Partnerships, E.ON Strategy and Innovation
• Alexander Mühl, Head of Digital, Innovation & E-Business, Borussia Dortmund
• Guido Weiland, Vice President & Head Of Innovation Center, Materna Information & Communications SE
• Patrick Himmes, Leiter Business Building, Innovation & Business Building, Vonovia SE

In five global competitions of our Inter.national! Startup Contest, we have selected fifteen great international startups to compete live on stage in Dusseldorf.

The startups can present themselves here in front of companies, investors and multipliers from all around the world and at the same time fight for prize money with which they can boost their activities in Germany.

Their products and ideas come from the Insurtech, Smart City and Logistics/Mobility sectors and impressively demonstrate the diversity of what grandiose products exist around the world.

THE GRAND FINAL is at the same time the closing of the Start.up! Germany Tour.

Here you can find the list of participating startups and the detailled program: https://www.startupgermany.nrw/grand-final/ 

Get to know the people behind the tour and hints for a successful participation

• Dominik Stute, Head of Unit Innovation, Industry, International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund
• Nick Neidl, Research Associate for Innovation, Industry and International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund

Participating in the tour and opening up NRW's market from an international perspective

• Sharon Masury, Investment- & Cooperation Scout NRW.Global Business, Startup Ecosystem, Tech-Scouting, German-Israeli Chamber of Commerce

Get to know each other

We will bring you into exchange with each other. Meet startups from more than 35 countries with their exciting ideas and products.

Welcome words on the occasion of the fifth anniversary

• Dominik Stute, Head of Unit Innovation, Industry, International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund
• Nina Rieger, Policy Advsior for Innovative Startups, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia​
• Timur Kurt, Project Coordinator - Turkey | Russia | Startups, NRW.Global Business
• Dr. Kim Zietlow, Director Trend & Innovation Scouting, Germany Trade & Invest and it's Digital Hub Initiative​

How the tour can lead to great success: The Story of DB Schenker and Gideon Brother (Croatia)

In 2018, the global logistics service provider DB Schenker with headquarter in Essen and the Croatian startup Gideon met in the semifinals of the Start.up! Germany Tour. Having collaborated at several points since then, DB Schenker joins in June 2021 a $31 million Series A investment into the Croatian robotics and AI solutions company to accelerate the development and commercialization of its AI & 3D vision-based autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

• Erik Wirsing, Vice President Global Innovation, DB Schenker
• Matija Kopić, CEO, Gideon Brothers
• Melita Maganić, Member Relations & Start-ups, German-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Moderated by: Marc Meckle, Deputy Managing Director International, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Essen, Mülheim

Reverse pitches and company presentations of multinational companies from the Smart City sector that are interested in your business.

• BAYER AG
• Smart City Alliance Dortmund

Ten startups are selected in advance to pitch live online in front of the companies.

After the BIG PITCH you have the opportunity to get in direct contact with the companies via an online networking platform.

Companies are an essential source of job creation and the development of innovative ideas. In Germany it’s not just corporates but a strong core of medium sized companies – the so-called ‘Mittelstand’ with its many world-class ‘hidden champions’. And more and more startups join in.

But without money a lot of ideas will never come into effect – startups know it best. In our workshop we want to give you an overview about existing financing options for startups in NRW. In addition to private capital and banks, public subsidies can make a valuable contribution to financing.

Greeting / Introduction

• Marc Meckle, Deputy Managing Director International, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Essen, Mülheim
• Sven Wolf, Team Leader Foundation and Business Development, Chamber of Industry and Commerce North Westphalia

„Startup ecosystem finance“ in NRW

• Sebastian Hanny-Busch, Public funding and infrastructure for startups and sme (SME) in North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.BANK

Panel discussion 1: Publicly funded funds and support programs in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Sebastian Hanny-Busch, NRW.BANK
• Jan Gräfe, Managing Director, Gründerfonds Ruhr
• Julian Beautemps, ASDRO GmbH (Startup perspective)

Panel discussion 2: Venture capital in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Michael Geers, Investment Manager, F-LOG Ventures Management GmbH
• Christian Winter, General Partner, Cusp Capital
• Sebastian-Friedrich Kowitz, CEO, talpasolutions GmbH

Time for Q&A

“Around the World in 80 Minutes” travels with you around the globe to discover international startup ecosystems. AHKs, industry experts and startups deliver exclusive insights into the opportunities, their markets have in store.

Moderated by Antje Resech, Director Membership & Start-ups at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), DIHK

Find out which topics related to our three verticals are currently being discussed in the selected markets, such as

• Taiwan
• Finland
• Nigeria
• France
• Argentina
• Tunisia
• Slovakia
• USA

Some of the most important companies in the region present themselves live on stage and
show you possibilities, how to co-operate with them.

• Jan Herzogenrath, Accelerator- and Partnershipmanagement, Startport (Port of Dusiburg)
• Viviane Winter, Digital Strategist, Evonik
• Christoph Niemann, Director, Ernst & Young
• John-Sebastian Komander, Leading Change, Communications & New Work, Signal Iduna Group
• Niklas Hunsdiek, Senior Innovation Manager | Startup Partnerships, E.ON Strategy and Innovation
• Alexander Mühl, Head of Digital, Innovation & E-Business, Borussia Dortmund
• Guido Weiland, Vice President & Head Of Innovation Center, Materna Information & Communications SE
• Patrick Himmes, Leiter Business Building, Innovation & Business Building, Vonovia SE

In five global competitions of our Inter.national! Startup Contest, we have selected fifteen great international startups to compete live on stage in Dusseldorf.

The startups can present themselves here in front of companies, investors and multipliers from all around the world and at the same time fight for prize money with which they can boost their activities in Germany.

Their products and ideas come from the Insurtech, Smart City and Logistics/Mobility sectors and impressively demonstrate the diversity of what grandiose products exist around the world.

THE GRAND FINAL is at the same time the closing of the Start.up! Germany Tour.

Here you can find the list of participating startups and the detailled program: https://www.startupgermany.nrw/grand-final/ 

Get to know the people behind the tour and hints for a successful participation

• Dominik Stute, Head of Unit Innovation, Industry, International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund
• Nick Neidl, Research Associate for Innovation, Industry and International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund

Participating in the tour and opening up NRW's market from an international perspective

• Sharon Masury, Investment- & Cooperation Scout NRW.Global Business, Startup Ecosystem, Tech-Scouting, German-Israeli Chamber of Commerce

Get to know each other

We will bring you into exchange with each other. Meet startups from more than 35 countries with their exciting ideas and products.

Welcome words on the occasion of the fifth anniversary

• Dominik Stute, Head of Unit Innovation, Industry, International Networks, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dortmund
• Nina Rieger, Policy Advsior for Innovative Startups, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia​
• Timur Kurt, Project Coordinator - Turkey | Russia | Startups, NRW.Global Business
• Dr. Kim Zietlow, Director Trend & Innovation Scouting, Germany Trade & Invest and it's Digital Hub Initiative​

How the tour can lead to great success: The Story of DB Schenker and Gideon Brother (Croatia)

In 2018, the global logistics service provider DB Schenker with headquarter in Essen and the Croatian startup Gideon met in the semifinals of the Start.up! Germany Tour. Having collaborated at several points since then, DB Schenker joins in June 2021 a $31 million Series A investment into the Croatian robotics and AI solutions company to accelerate the development and commercialization of its AI & 3D vision-based autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

• Erik Wirsing, Vice President Global Innovation, DB Schenker
• Matija Kopić, CEO, Gideon Brothers
• Melita Maganić, Member Relations & Start-ups, German-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Moderated by: Marc Meckle, Deputy Managing Director International, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Essen, Mülheim

Get an introduction to the logistics and mobility sector by industry experts and important multipliers.

EUREF-Campus Düsseldorf

Venla Benigni-Otte & Johanna Koch, Marketing & Business Development, EUREF-Campus Düsseldorf
Alexander Agnesens , Schneider Electric / inno2Grid GmbH

Presentation of the charging container for micromobility

Dr. Verena Svensson, Head of mobility, Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG

Silicon Economy and Open Source for Logistic Start-Ups

Ellen Sünkeler, Communication and Marketing »Silicon Economy«, Fraunhofer-Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik IML
Philipp Wrycza, Founder and managing director »Logistikbude«

Reverse pitches and company presentations of three to four multinational companies from the Logistics & Mobility sector that are interested in your business.

• Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG
• DB Schenker
• EUREF-Campus Düsseldorf
• Schneider Electric / inno2Grid GmbH
• Fraunhofer-Institut für Materialfluss und Logistik IML

Ten to fifteen startups are selected in advance to pitch live online in front of the companies.

After the BIG PITCH you have the opportunity to get in direct contact with the companies via an online networking platform.

Companies are an essential source of job creation and the development of innovative ideas. In Germany it’s not just corporates but a strong core of medium sized companies – the so-called ‘Mittelstand’ with its many world-class ‘hidden champions’. And more and more startups join in.

But without money a lot of ideas will never come into effect – startups know it best. In our workshop we want to give you an overview about existing financing options for startups in NRW. In addition to private capital and banks, public subsidies can make a valuable contribution to financing.

Greeting / Introduction

• Marc Meckle, Deputy Managing Director International, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Essen, Mülheim
• Sven Wolf, Team Leader Foundation and Business Development, Chamber of Industry and Commerce North Westphalia

„Startup ecosystem finance“ in NRW

• Sebastian Hanny-Busch, Public funding and infrastructure for startups and sme (SME) in North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.BANK

Panel discussion 1: Publicly funded funds and support programs in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Sebastian Hanny-Busch, NRW.BANK
• Jan Gräfe, Managing Director, Gründerfonds Ruhr
• Julian Beautemps, ASDRO GmbH (Startup perspective)

Panel discussion 2: Venture capital in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Michael Geers, Investment Manager, F-LOG Ventures Management GmbH
• Christian Winter, General Partner, Cusp Capital
• Sebastian-Friedrich Kowitz, CEO, talpasolutions GmbH

Time for Q&A

“Around the World in 80 Minutes” travels with you around the globe to discover international startup ecosystems. AHKs, industry experts and startups deliver exclusive insights into the opportunities, their markets have in store.

Moderated by Antje Resech, Director Membership & Start-ups at German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK), DIHK

Find out which topics related to our three verticals are currently being discussed in the selected markets, such as

• Taiwan
• Finland
• Nigeria
• France
• Argentina
• Tunisia
• Slovakia
• USA

Some of the most important companies in the region present themselves live on stage and
show you possibilities, how to co-operate with them.

• Jan Herzogenrath, Accelerator- and Partnershipmanagement, Startport (Port of Dusiburg)
• Viviane Winter, Digital Strategist, Evonik
• Christoph Niemann, Director, Ernst & Young
• John-Sebastian Komander, Leading Change, Communications & New Work, Signal Iduna Group
• Niklas Hunsdiek, Senior Innovation Manager | Startup Partnerships, E.ON Strategy and Innovation
• Alexander Mühl, Head of Digital, Innovation & E-Business, Borussia Dortmund
• Guido Weiland, Vice President & Head Of Innovation Center, Materna Information & Communications SE
• Patrick Himmes, Leiter Business Building, Innovation & Business Building, Vonovia SE

In five global competitions of our Inter.national! Startup Contest, we have selected fifteen great international startups to compete live on stage in Dusseldorf.

The startups can present themselves here in front of companies, investors and multipliers from all around the world and at the same time fight for prize money with which they can boost their activities in Germany.

Their products and ideas come from the Insurtech, Smart City and Logistics/Mobility sectors and impressively demonstrate the diversity of what grandiose products exist around the world.

THE GRAND FINAL is at the same time the closing of the Start.up! Germany Tour.

Here you can find the list of participating startups and the detailled program: https://www.startupgermany.nrw/grand-final/