News from the startup world week 38

Slush'D Startup Festival in Heilbronn. Zolar strengthens its team with Catherine Bassett. Nicolas Köhn moves from heycar to LIQID. TGFS invests in MiVia GmbH. Signicat introduces Signicat Mint. Berlin launches Quantum Alliance.British Council Germany welcomes Helga Stellmacher. Applications open for Global Innovation Challenge

Slush'D Startup Festival on October 19 in Heilbronn

The Heilbronn Slush'D Startup Festival is establishing itself as a permanent fixture in the German startup scene. After bringing the world's leading startup festival, Campus Founders SLUSH, to Germany for the first time in 2022, the festival is now entering its next round. Heilbronn Slush'D starts on October 19, 2023 at the Theresienwiese in Heilbronn. Thanks to last year's success, the festival is firmly anchored in the start-up scene and supported by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. The aim is to establish Heilbronn-Franconia as an important startup ecosystem in Germany in the long term. This year's motto is "One Step Ahead", and the focus is on startup success stories, collaboration between startups and SMEs and the use of artificial intelligence. Well-known speakers such as Scott Chacon, Carsten Maschmeyer and Jonas Andrulis are expected, and prizes of up to 100,000 euros will be awarded to participating start-ups. The Heilbronn Slush'D Festival contributes to Heilbronn's growing importance as a startup center in Europe.

Zolar strengthens its team with Catherine Bassett

Zolar, an established platform for private solar solutions in Germany, has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Catherine Bassett, a hyper-growth expert and former manager at Gorillas. This addition will help Zolar to expand its product portfolio and continue its existing growth. Catherine Bassett assumes the role of Vice President of Software Product Management at Zolar as of September 15, 2023. Her focus is on developing customer-centric solutions to facilitate access to clean energy for homeowners. At the same time, she wants to create a digital environment that saves tradespeople time and effort so that they can focus more on their core competence, the installation of photovoltaic systems. This move underlines Zolar's commitment to renewable energy at a time when demand for photovoltaics is increasing due to high energy costs and the need to protect the climate. With a strong network of over 700 regional installation partners and a user-friendly online experience, Zolar is well positioned to further expand its leading role in the renewable energy solutions market.

Nicolas Köhn moves from heycar to LIQID

Berlin-based wealth tech company LIQID has hired Nicolas Köhn from heycar as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). In his new position, he will be responsible for all commercial activities and report directly to CEO Christian Schneider-Sickert. Nicolas Köhn has experience in digital business, marketing and e-commerce, which he gained in previous positions at companies such as Outfittery and Home24 AG. His role at LIQID will be to drive the company's growth and initiate the next phase of the company's development. This appointment follows the recent appointment of Peter Vogel as Head of Sales and Relationship Management. Nicolas Köhn is expected to support LIQID in digital wealth management and further strengthen the company.

TGFS invests in MiVia GmbH

MiViA GmbH, an innovative AI start-up from Freiberg, has received an investment from TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen as part of pre-seed financing. Its web-based product mivia.ai offers automated microstructure analysis of steel by metallographers, which accelerates and standardizes the quality control of incoming and outgoing workpieces. This reduces costs, complaints and production losses. The analysis includes microstructure segmentation, crack detection and grain size determination, with further functions in development. In the global steel industry, which is subject to high quality requirements and cost pressure, this AI-supported solution offers the potential to save time and costs and achieve more accurate results. TGFS is looking forward to the collaboration and further development of the company by the experienced MiViA team.

Signicat introduces Signicat Mint

Signicat has introduced Signicat Mint, a "no-code" platform for digital identity processes. This platform enables organizations to integrate digital identity services such as proof of identity, authentication, document signing and fraud detection into their business processes. The platform offers a user-friendly, visual editor and can be launched via email link, website button or API integration. It complies with various regulations, including the GDPR and anti-money laundering guidelines. Signicat Mint can be customized to a company's look and feel and offers ready-made templates for faster implementation. CEO Asger Hattel emphasized the importance of this step for the democratization of technology in the digital identity industry.

Berlin launches Quantum Alliance

Berlin has launched the Berlin Quantum Alliance (BQA), a joint initiative of companies, research institutions and universities that aims to make the city an international center for the development of quantum technologies. At the same time, the "Leap" innovation hub was presented at the Berlin Innovation and Start-up Center Berlin Adlershof. Leap will serve as a platform for the exchange and collaboration of players from science, industry and start-ups involved in quantum technologies. This step is intended to promote the transfer of quantum technologies to various areas of application and exploit the potential for companies and the economy. Various institutions, including Humboldt Innovation GmbH, OpTec Berlin Brandenburg e.V. and Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH, are working together to develop suitable activities and formats. A funding program called "Berlin Pro FIT-Call 'Application-oriented Quantum Technologies'" has also been launched to support research and development projects between companies and research institutions. Berlin is thus positioning itself as a leading city in quantum technology research and application.

British Council Germany welcomes new Director Helga Stellmacher

Helga Stellmacher is the new Director of the British Council Germany. She succeeds Paul Smith, who is retiring after 40 years with the organization. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years in various leadership positions around the world, including South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Stellmacher brings a wealth of experience to the role. Most recently, she was Director of the British Council in Thailand and played a key role in education initiatives for girls in the region. In Germany, she wants to deepen cultural ties between the UK and Germany and promote educational exchange. With her international presence and commitment, the British Council will continue its mission to strengthen global connections and cultural understanding between the two countries.

Applications open for Global Innovation Challenge

The Plug and Play Tech Center has partnered with LG Chem to launch the LG Chem Global Innovation Challenge (GIC). This initiative offers start-ups, universities and companies the opportunity to scale up their innovative solutions in the chemical industry, particularly in the areas of batteries, environmental protection and sustainability, and to gain LG Chem as a research and development partner. The aim is to jointly drive disruptive innovations in the field of batteries and sustainable materials. The application deadline for the GIC is October 20, 2023, and more information is available on the official website. https://innovationchallenge.pnp.tc/lgchem-gic-2023/