Throwback to 2024
12.12.2024
Emma Schmitt
News
This year, there were once again plenty of exciting events, innovative ideas and a really good atmosphere in the start-up community. Not only did we set up new formats, but we also got a lot of things moving together with you. Now it's time to look back and celebrate the highlights.
Events for the community
Networking works well on LinkedIn and other platforms, but it works best offline. That’s why events are an integral part of what we offer the community. This year, we not only offered our well-known formats, but also a few exciting new ones.
KIT Innovators Homecoming 2024
Right at the beginning of the year, there was a real highlight: the KIT Innovators Homecoming took place for the first time on 31 January, opening a new chapter in alumni networking. Under the motto Merging Generations, more than 350 alumni came to Karlsruhe to share experiences and advance ideas. United by an interest in startups and entrepreneurial thinking and action.
We still look back on the first event with enthusiasm – thanks to all the organisers, helpers, speakers and participants! Thanks to you, we can now plan the second edition in January 2025 with great anticipation. The event offers established entrepreneurs, managers, investors, young start-ups and ambitious students the ideal opportunity to make valuable contacts, learn from each other and jointly strengthen the innovation landscape at the KIT.
Startup Date with Daniel Jung
We are jumping directly from winter to summer. In June, it was full at Kronenplatz because we had a startup date with Daniel Jung. Daniel is one of the most famous online tutors worldwide and reaches over 930,000 followers on YouTube with his maths tutorial videos. He took us with him on his unusual journey as a founder, entrepreneur and educational visionary. Around 300 listeners gathered at the hybrid event on site. The interview was streamed digitally to the lecture halls of eleven other colleges and universities. We enjoyed reminiscing about the afternoon with Daniel and also recorded his experience as a founder in a podcast episode for you.
#bawükommt-Tour
3 days, 3 startup ecosystems and a bus full of founders and institutions from Baden-Württemberg. We were part of the #bawükommt-Tour for the first time! On a six-hour bus ride, the word networking definitely takes on a whole new meaning. It was a real highlight for us. You can find out more about the programme and our conclusion in our blog article.
Founder pitch at the NEULAND Innovation Day
At the NEULAND Innovation Day in June, experts, founders and interested parties from a wide range of fields came together at the KIT to make innovation a tangible experience. From inspiring talks and startup pitches to exciting discussions on future topics, the diverse programme offered something for everyone and encouraged a lively exchange between science, business and society. It was a day that showed just how vibrant and interconnected the culture of innovation at KIT is.
We sent six start-ups to pitch: Liftwise, Rement, Phabioc, Prio Optics, Spotium and Valoon. Rement won first place and the audience award, Valoon came in second. Congratulations again to the teams and thanks to the NEULAND organisers for an inspiring day!
Community Congress StartUpSecure KASTEL
The third StartUpSecure KASTEL Community Congress took place on 21 March. This time, the topic was How is the AI revolution changing cyber security and privacy? In addition to the keynote speeches and the big panel discussion, the startup pitches and the presentation of the Community Award were a real highlight. In the end, whitemacs won over the audience. We are looking forward to organising a conference on mobility and cyber security again next year.
Our long-running events
Almost as good as new events are our recurring formats, which have created new traditions at KIT.
The Gründergrillen (founders‘ barbecue) remains a perennial favourite – whether it’s networking at CUBE or at one of our partners such as CyberForum and the IHK Karlsruhe. And because we don’t want to miss out on contact with the community even in winter, the Gründerglühwein (founders’ mulled wine) has now also become a firm tradition that we – thanks to you – will continue in 2025.
In our IMPULSE format, we talk to exciting personalities about their start-up journey. This year, we had Kim and Sven Eisenmann from Xantus, and Hannah Wagner on the topic of self-fulfilment as guests. Thank you for your inspiring talks!
This year also saw the third instalment of our ideas competition. In the end, Oscar Streif came out on top with his idea ‘GoFizz’ and took first place. You can find the videos of the top 10 here. Thanks to everyone who took part!
On the road at trade fairs and conferences
Not only do we host cool events, we also regularly take part in cool events. This year, our team was once again on the road at numerous events and trade fairs.
Among other things, we were at Bits&Pretzels in Munich, Slush’D in Heilbronn, Vivatech in Paris and the Hannover Messe. Our network continues to grow through each event and we are already looking forward to all the events coming up in 2025.
We are part of the Startup Factory NXTGN
Startup Factories are to be the central points of contact for innovations in Germany in the future – and NXTGN wants to be part of it. Together with leading partners from science and industry in Baden-Württemberg, we have successfully mastered the first activation phase of the competition. Now we are entering the next round to actively shape the innovation landscape as a startup factory. Here you can find more information about the NXTGN network.
Internationally on the road
Whether it’s German-African cooperation in TECH4Transition, a German-Egyptian tandem programme for students or the kick-off in Bengaluru for the Innovators Connect tandem programme – this year we have shown that we can achieve great things not only regionally but also globally. We were also able to celebrate the kick-off of the extension of the trinational KTUR project this year.
Our conclusion on 2024
Thanks to you – the best partners and the coolest community!
Thank you – the best partners and the coolest community! Your commitment, ideas and support have made 2024 an absolute highlight. We would like to thank our partners and the community for a successful year.
Our startups have also achieved a lot this year: they have passed important milestones, won awards and celebrated successes. We look forward to getting off to a flying start with you again in 2025. Thank you for the great collaboration!
2025, here we come!
New year, new ideas! We have a lot in the pipeline and are looking forward to getting off to a flying start with you. Stay tuned and join us – we’re ready for even more innovation, more networking and more community, and we’re looking forward to the next year with you! In 2025, we will be celebrating KIT’s anniversary year – so there is a lot to look forward to.
