OUT OF THE BOX.NRW

🌟 Insights from Digital X Cologne: Embracing AI and Diversity for a Brighter Future Denise Linnenbrügger from the OOTB.NRW team attended the Digital X conference in Cologne. Her key takeaways highlight the importance of innovation and diversity: Unleashing AI's Potential: Many companies, especially SMEs, are still hesitant to fully embrace AI. It's time to be bold and seize the opportunities AI offers. 1. Boosting Production with Chips & AI: Integrating chips and AI in production can significantly enhance value creation and efficiency. 2. Breaking Down Barriers: To promote diversity in gender, origin, neurodiversity, and inclusion, we need more role models and accessible pathways. 3. Our tech startups in NRW are deeply engaged with AI topics, keeping them at the cutting edge of innovation. Denise also had the chance to meet Dirk Nowitzki, attend a panel with Julian Nagelsmann, and join a masterclass on neurodiversity by Sabine Buch and @Sarah Lauer — all captured in our slideshow worth clicking through! Would you make a selfie with Dirk Nowitzki if you had the chance? #DigitalX #AI #Innovation #OOTBNRW #startupaward

✈️ Imagine pitching your idea to an audience of over 2,000 experts and watching your startup take off. 🛫 Sounds exciting? Seize the opportunity now! Register for the next round of the OOTB.NRW Awards and get one step closer to conquering the stage at Hinterland of Things on June 5, 2025. Why participate? 🪩Boost Visibility: Showcase your startup to a wide audience and gain credibility. 🌐Network Opportunities: Connect with entrepreneurs, industry experts, and investors. 📊Valuable Feedback: Receive insights from experienced judges to refine your business model. 💰Win Prizes & Funding: Compete for financial incentives to fuel your growth. 📰Media Exposure: Gain press coverage and attract new customers. 🌟Attract Talent: Increase your visibility to potential team members. 📈Learn & Grow: Challenge your team and enhance your business strategy. Get inspired by last year’s finale highlights and be part of it! Pre-register now! (Link in comments) #OOTBNRW #Techstartups #Hinterland25 #Entrepreneurship #preregistration

🌟 Calling All Aspiring Female Tech Founders in NRW! This year, we saw 8 incredible teams with female co-founders apply for the OOTB.NRW award. But why stop there? We believe there should be even more women stepping into the tech startup arena. Here’s why: 🚀 Booming Tech Sector: Join one of the fastest-growing industries and lead technological innovation. 🤝Strong Support System: Access dedicated programs and funding for women in tech, like the Digital Hub Initiative. 💡Unique Innovation Potential: Bring fresh perspectives that drive groundbreaking solutions and open new markets. 🔗Endless Collaboration Opportunities: Leverage NRW's rich network of universities, research institutes, and companies.  🌍Be a Role Model: Inspire others and enhance gender diversity in tech by leading as a female founder. ⏰Flexibility & Control: Design a work environment that fits your life, balancing personal and professional commitments. 🌐 Global Reach: Tap into international markets quickly through digital platforms. 🔧Drive Digital Transformation: Develop solutions that tackle societal challenges head-on. NRW is not just a location; it's a launchpad for your tech dreams with local support and global reach. Ready to make your mark? #Womenintech #Startuplife #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #NRW #OOTBNRW

Voltfang goes USA!  At the end of August, our winner Voltfang embarked on an exciting journey to the United States. Representing the team, Co-founder Roman Alberti traveled alongside Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of NRW,  and representatives from business and academia, including Sophia Tran 🚀. The journey from California to Minnesota included thrilling stops in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Sacramento. On this journey, Roman had the opportunity to meet with key figures such as Consul General Oliver Schramm, Bloom Energy CEO KR Sridhar, California's Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia and many more. He also engaged in discussions at the University of Minnesota and Stanford University, met with companies like 3M, Cummins or E.On Future Energy and visited the German Accelerator. The main themes of the trip were promoting the dual transformation towards climate neutrality, strengthening transatlantic trade and technology relations, and presenting and discussing German innovations and technologies. Roman contributed his expertise in conversations about synergies between fuel cells and battery technologies, technology transfer, and grid stabilization through grid-scale batteries. He also introduced Voltfang’s solution to local investors and politicians. In addition to strengthening economic ties, promoting green transformation, and fostering transatlantic cooperation, Voltfang represented NRW's hub of technological innovation on this trip. Roman exchanged valuable insights on advanced technologies for grid stabilization and climate change mitigation with local employees and CEOs. He returns home with a wealth of new ideas and an expanded network. We’re proud and happy for our alumni Voltfang and sure that this won’t be their last journey! #OOTBNRW #innovation #startups #hinterland24 #entrepreneurship #OOTBgoesAmerica

Meet us at DIGITAL X 2024 in Cologne 🚀 📅 Date: September 18-19, 2024 📍 Location: Cologne Why you should attend: 1. Network with Thought Leaders: Connect with the brightest minds in the industry and build valuable relationships. 2. Experience Innovations Firsthand: Discover groundbreaking technologies and inspiring success stories. 3. Focus on Megatrends: Gain insights into Connected Business, Sustainability & Responsibility, Security, and the Future of Work. Our team member Denise Linnenbrügger will also be there! If you have any questions about OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW, Hinterland of things or Founders Foundation she is your go-to person. Feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn beforehand and meet her at the event. 👉 Connect now: Denise Linnenbrügger #DigitalX2024 #Innovation #Networking #OOTBNRW #ConnectedBusiness #OOTBNRWTIPP

What do you think, which city do most of our startups come from? A few weeks ago, we announced this year's winners of the OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW competition on the stage of the Hinterland of Things conference in Bielefeld. Synctive, who took first place, are from Bielefeld. The second-place startup Voltfang is based in Aachen, and arttrade, our third-place winner this year, hails from Düsseldorf. However, only one of these cities is among our TOP3 cities where most of our TOP24 startups are located. Feel free to click through and let us know which cities should definitely be on the radar as startup hubs. #OOTBNRW #innovation #startups #hinterland24 #entrepreneurship

Many visitors of the Hinterland of Things conference in Bielefeld have already seen our booklet during the finale, where we provided some printed copies. Now, we're excited to introduce that our booklet “TOP24 startups of NRW” which presents the OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW TOP24 2024! Each startup is showcased on a double-page spread, complete with a QR code linking to their LinkedIn profile. The booklet is available by download from the OOTB website. You can also find it at various locations within the startup ecosystem across NRW. Don't miss out on this comprehensive guide to the most promising startups in our community! #OOTBNRW #innovation #startups #hinterland24 #entrepreneurship

🚀 Who's at the Future Tech Fest Düsseldorf today? 🚀 Denise Linnenbrügger from the Founders Foundation, who is part of our team for the #OOTBNRW competition, is at the FutureTechFest today! Connect with her, meet up for some valuable networking, and feel free to ask her any questions you have about the competition. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with one of our key team members! #Futuretechfest #Networking #OOTBNRW #Innovation #FoundersFoundation

🚀 Unlock the Power of Networking with These Five Hacks! Founders Foundation gGmbH Co-founder and CEO, Dominik Gross, shared some invaluable tips on networking at conferences in the podcast “Besser gründen - Tipps für Unternehmer, Freiberufler und Startups” by René Klein. So insightful that we couldn't keep them to ourselves! Swipe through the slides to discover them. 1️⃣ Choose Relevant Events and Prepare Thoroughly: Select events that align with your startup model. Research who will be attending and plan your approach. Reach out to interesting contacts beforehand and set up meetings during the event. 2️⃣ Have a Killer High-Concept Pitch Ready: Always be prepared with a concise and captivating pitch. Make sure it grabs attention immediately. Dominik shares what to include and what to avoid in the podcast. 3️⃣ Catch Investors After Their Stage Appearances: Investors are often on stage; use this opportunity to approach them right after their talks. Keep your pitch short and impactful to get your foot in the door. Dominik also offers tips on handling nerves when pitching. 4️⃣ Stand Out as a Team Without Being Too Cheesy: Think creatively about how your team can stand out at the event. Dominik shares some examples he loves and explains why they work. 5️⃣ Engage in Meaningful Conversations: Focus on building genuine connections rather than just collecting business cards. Ask insightful questions and show genuine interest in others' work. Dominik dives deeper into each of these points in the podcast, providing additional insights and tips. Don't miss out on his expert advice! Special thanks to the MWIKE (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes NRW), NRW.BANK, and Founders Foundation for their continued support in empowering startups. Got more tips? Drop them in the comments below! Let's build a stronger startup community together. 💪✨ #startupnetworking #networkinghacks #foundersfoundation #podcast

📚 Here's a great lecture for your weekend: The NRW VC Report, initiated by Cusp Capital and other ecosystem partners, provides an overview of the VC landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and outlines the growing startup and tech ecosystem! NRW has developed into one of the leading locations for VC investments. VCs also play a significant role in the OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW competition - Cusp Capital and other VC's that are also named in the report, have selected our TOP24 this year. Moreover, they are instrumental in driving the startup scene forward in NRW, benefiting not just us as a competition, but especially the startups. We are absolutely thrilled with the report.