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 in Heilbronn on October 19.

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 the next round. Heilbronn Slush'D will kick off on October 19, 2023 at the Theresienwiese in Heilbronn. Thanks to last year's success, the festival will be firmly anchored in the startup scene and supported by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. The aim is to establish Heilbronn-Franken 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 application of artificial intelligence. Well-known speakers such as Scott Chacon, Carsten Maschmeyer and Jonas Andrulis are expected to attend, and prizes of up to 100,000 euros will be awarded to participating startups. The Heilbronn Slush'D Festival contributes to Heilbronn's growing importance as a startup center in Europe.

Zolar strengthens with Catherine Bassett

Zolar, an established platform for private solar solutions in Germany, has strengthened its leadership team with Catherine Bassett, a hyper-growth expert and former manager at Gorillas. This addition is expected to help Zolar expand its product portfolio and continue its existing growth. Catherine Bassett will assume the role of Vice President of Software Product Management at Zolar, effective September 15, 2023. Her focus is on developing customer-centric solutions to make clean energy more accessible to homeowners. At the same time, she aims to create a digital environment that saves trade partners time and effort so they can focus more on their core competency of installing photovoltaic systems. This move underscores 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 more than 700 regional installation partners and a user-friendly online experience, Zolar is well positioned to further expand its leadership 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 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 hire follows the recent hiring 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 a pre-seed financing. Their web-based product mivia.ai offers automated microstructure analysis of steel by metallographers, which accelerates and standardizes quality control of incoming and outgoing workpieces. This reduces effort, complaints and production downtime. The analysis includes microstructure segmentation, crack detection and grain sizing, with additional functions under development. In the global steel industry, which faces high quality requirements and cost pressures, this AI-powered solution offers the potential to save time and money and deliver more accurate results. TGFS looks forward to working with and further developing the business through 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 DSG-VO and anti-money laundering guidelines. Signicat Mint can be customized to match a company's look and feel and offers pre-built templates for faster implementation. CEO Asger Hattel emphasized the importance of this step in democratizing technology in the digital identity industry.

Berlin launches Quantum Alliance

Berlin has kicked off the Berlin Quantum Alliance (BQA), a joint initiative between companies, research institutions and universities to make the city an international center for the development of quantum technologies. At the same time, the "Leap" innovation hub was unveiled at the Berlin Adlershof Innovation and Startup Center. Leap will serve as a platform for the exchange and collaboration of stakeholders from science, industry and startups working on quantum technologies. This step is intended to promote the transfer of quantum technologies into various application areas and to exploit the potential for companies and the economy. Various institutions, including Humboldt Innovation GmbH, OpTec Berlin Brandenburg e.V. and Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH, are working together to develop suitable activities and formats. A funding program called "Berlin Pro FIT-Call 'Applied 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 has been appointed 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 more than 25 years in various leadership positions around the world, including South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Stellmacher brings a wealth of experience. Most recently, she was director of the British Council in Thailand and played a key role in educational initiatives for girls in the region. In Germany, she aims to deepen cultural ties between the UK and Germany and promote educational exchange. With her international presence and involvement, 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 startups, universities and companies the opportunity to scale their innovative solutions in the chemical industry, particularly in the areas of batteries, environmental protection and sustainability, and to engage LG Chem as a research and development partner. The goal is to jointly drive disruptive innovations in 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/