Nominees - 22nd round
Hottest Innovation" category
1st X-ECD: A new approach to pollutant measurement - more precise, safer, more sustainable
Environmental measurement technology is at a turning point - and X-ECD is the key. While conventional electron capture detectors (ECD) rely on radioactive sources that are subject to strict regulations and high disposal costs, the X-ECD team offers a breakthrough alternative: a non-radioactive detector that is not only more environmentally friendly, but also more accurate, faster and more cost-effective.
Behind the innovation is a four-person team from Leibniz Universität Hannover, who developed the detector at the Institute for Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering and Metrology. The prototype is in the final test phase - still without active marketing, but interest from science and industry is already high. X-ECD is being tested as a promising solution for quality control and off-flavor analysis, particularly in the food industry, for example in breweries.
The market launch is planned for summer 2025. With the potential win in the Startup-Impuls start-up competition, the team wants to produce the first devices to make the detector available directly from stock. "With X-ECD, we offer companies the opportunity to carry out more precise measurements without bureaucratic hurdles and high costs," explains founder Sabrina Deicke.
X-ECD sees itself as a real game changer for industry and research in the field of pollutant measurements.
Contact person:
X-ECD
Sabrina Deicke
Phone: +49 176 43413155
E-Mail: sabrina.deicke@geml.uni-hannover.de
2 Sightwise GmbH - AI-supported quality control for error-free production
How can production defects be reliably detected before they become a problem? Sightwise GmbH provides the answer: AI-based inspection solutions that work with the help of synthetic data. While conventional quality assurance systems fail due to the limitations of real training data, Sightwise technology enables more robust inspections, shorter development times and predictive maintenance - wherever conventional AI has so far not been sufficient.
The idea originated at the Institute of Measurement and Control Technology at Leibniz Universität Hannover as part of doctoral research. Since its foundation in April 2024 - supported by the BMWK's EXIST research transfer program - the company has undergone impressive development. The first paying customers are already using the technology, and the launch of the SightHub platform is scheduled for 2025.
"We are particularly proud to have entered into a strategic partnership with one of Europe's largest plant manufacturers in the metal processing sector," says the founding team. Customers from the casting, aviation and forging technology sectors now rely on Sightwise, including MTU Maintenance from Langenhagen.
The four-person team - consisting of Dr.-Ing. Philipp Middendorf (33), Dr.-Ing. Nils Melchert (33), Dr.-Ing. Kolja Hedrich (31) and M. Sc. Nils Graf-Gutsche (33) - is already supported by the first full-time employee and seven students. With the potential win of the Startup-Impuls start-up competition, the company plans to offer a position to a talented Master's graduate to further accelerate development.
Sightwise uses AI where it creates real added value - for more efficient, error-free and smarter production.
Contact person:
Sightwise GmbH
Nils Graf-Gutsche
Phone: +49 511 762 13167
E-mail: gutsche@sightwise.ai
www.sightwise.ai
Next SME" category
1. neon pong: the digital revolution of a classic
Everyone knows Beer Pong - a game of skill in which table tennis balls are thrown into cups. Neon Pong takes the concept to a new level: digital, interactive and accessible to all age groups. The innovative sports game transforms the classic mechanics into a technologically enhanced, alcohol-free and inclusive version. With automatic hit recognition, ball return, dynamic light and sound effects and various game modes, Neon Pong is a modern experience for leisure and event locations.
The idea was born during the studies of founders Leon Fortmann (34), Thorben Behrens (34) and Dominik Stöcken (35), who used their expertise in mechatronics, robotics and development technology to develop an interactive game system. Neon Pong prototypes have been available to book for events since the company was founded in early 2024. The first production batch is currently being manufactured, with delivery starting in April 2025.
The attention is growing: Neon Pong will be represented in the Startup Area of Deutsche Messe AG at the Hannover Messe. At the same time, negotiations are underway with distributors and event locations throughout Germany to make the game accessible to a wide audience.
The team plans to use any winnings from the Startup-Impuls start-up competition to invest in the development of new products and trade fair appearances in order to expand its reach and attract new partners. "Our goal is to develop interactive sports games for a digital age - Neon Pong is just the beginning," says the founding team.
With modern technology and playful innovation, Neon Pong brings a fresh dynamic to the leisure and event sector - for young and old, with or without party cups.
Contact person:
Neon Pong (BFS Engineering GmbH)
Leon Fortmann
Phone: +49 176 72400860
E-mail: kontakt@neonpong.de
www.neonpong.de
2. compliance AI: AI-supported compliance for financial service providers
Increasing regulatory requirements are presenting financial service providers with ever greater challenges. Compliance AI aims to solve this problem - with an AI-based program that efficiently monitors legal regulations and reduces manual checks while minimizing time, costs and risks.
Behind the start-up are two founders with in-depth experience in the finance and insurance industry. A business IT specialist (27), who is currently completing an MBA while working, and a management consultant (30) with a focus on project management and natural language processing. Their common goal: an intelligent, automated solution for compliance processes.
Compliance AI is currently in the development phase. Market entry is planned for early 2026 with an initial version for pilot customers. Talks are already underway with banks and insurance companies - particularly for applications in the areas of DORA and money laundering legislation.
The team plans to use any winnings from the Startup-Impuls start-up competition to invest in the further development of the MVP, legal protection and initial market tests - crucial steps in making the solution ready for the market. "Our vision is to use AI to make compliance processes as efficient and secure as possible," says the founding team.
Compliance AI stands for a future in which regulatory requirements are no longer a burden - but are mastered intelligently and automatically.
Contact person:
Compliance AI
Maximilian Scheffel
Phone: +49 176 45764156
E-mail: max.scheffel@icloud.com
Highest Impact" category
1. family divers - independent help for foster families
Foster families often face major challenges - this is where Familientaucher comes in. The initiative by Friederike Eike (42), an experienced social education worker and former on-call foster mother, offers independent advice, seminars and individual youth welfare services. Her goal: direct, unbureaucratic support for foster parents and relief for professionals.
Familientaucher has been growing rapidly since it was founded in summer 2024. Collaborations with foster children's services in Hanover and Langenhagen have already started and talks with the Kinderschutzbund are underway. The next step: transforming the company into a non-profit limited company and hiring the first specialist.
Taking part in the Startup-Impuls start-up competition helps the solo founder to further hone her vision. Winning would provide a decisive boost - the prize money will go directly towards expanding youth welfare services. "Every investment in Familientaucher means relief for foster families - and more stability for children in difficult situations," says the founder.
With expertise and passion, Familientaucher builds bridges - between authorities, foster families and a better future for children.
Contact person:
Family diver
Friederike Eike
Phone: +49 170 8764074
E-mail: hallo@familientaucher.de
www.familientaucher.de
2. WasteSide GmbH: Promoting sustainability through play and networking companies with students
How do you motivate young people to behave sustainably? The answer from the four-member founding team of WasteSide: with a digital platform that combines sustainability with gamification and recruiting. Students collect points by acting in an environmentally friendly way and benefit from exclusive offers, while companies can present themselves as sustainable employers and make targeted contact with Generation Z.
The concept was quickly well received. During the pilot phase at the Conti Campus in Hanover, 2,500 out of 5,000 students registered in just three months - with over 90,000 interactions on the platform. Major companies from the catering, sustainable consumer goods and employer branding sectors are already on board, including PwC.
Founded in October 2024, WasteSide is now about to take the next big step: expanding to other universities, including in Berlin, Kiel and Witten. The team - Pia Oetjen (CEO), Julian Meckfessel (CEO), Paul Aumann (CTO) and Charlotte Robens (CSO) - has interdisciplinary experience in business, IT and sustainability management.
With a possible win in the Startup-Impuls start-up competition, the platform is to be further developed and brought to new locations. "Our vision is to make sustainability not only easy but also rewarding in the everyday lives of young people - and to help companies attract the talent of tomorrow," says CEO Pia Oetjen.
WasteSide shows: Sustainable action can be fun - and at the same time lay the foundation for new career opportunities.
Contact person:
WasteSide GmbH
Julian Meckfessel
Phone: +49 176 64725611
E-mail: julian@wasteside.de
www.wasteside.de
Future Health" category
1st GenE³ - Genetic diseases explained simply
What does it mean if cancer runs in the family? Is the disease hereditary? These questions are on the minds of many sufferers - but well-founded answers are often difficult to come by. This is precisely where GenE³ comes in: The app developed by Dr. Beate Vajen, Dr. Dominik Wolff and Dr. Thomas Kupka makes complex genetic relationships easy to understand and offers a low-threshold way to find out about hereditary cancers.
The three-person scientific team at Hannover Medical School (MHH) is pursuing an innovative approach: digital information that can bridge waiting times in human genetics outpatient clinics and reduce uncertainty. Before GenE³ is officially launched on the market, a scientific study is to prove the app's effectiveness. At the same time, the founders are working on the possible integration of AI technology to further improve the user experience.
With the potential win in the Startup-Impuls start-up competition, the team wants to develop a website for account management and build a strong branding. "Our aim is to make it easier for those affected to access sound, easy-to-understand information and thus offer real support in dealing with genetic diseases," says Dr. Beate Vajen.
With scientific expertise and digital innovation, GenE³ builds a bridge between medicine and those affected - with understandable and simple explanations.
Contact:
GenE³- Genetic diseases explained simply
Dr. Beate Vajen
Phone: +49 511 53280831
E-mail: vajen.beate@mh-hannover.de
2 Allogenetics GmbH: Revolutionary therapy for transplant medicine
Organ transplants save lives - but for many patients, a lifelong challenge begins after the procedure: to prevent rejection reactions, they are dependent on immunosuppressants, which have considerable side effects. Allogenetics aims to solve this problem.
The company founded by Prof. Constanca Figueiredo and Prof. Rainer Blasczyk, MD, has developed a groundbreaking method to make donor organs immunologically invisible. This means that the immune system no longer recognizes the transplanted organ as a foreign body - an innovation that could minimize the risk of rejection reactions and eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppression.
Allogenetics GmbH, founded in 2022, is currently in the clinical development phase. Following successful preclinical studies, approval is now being prepared for the first clinical trials on patients - a crucial step in bringing this technology to market maturity. Supported by NBank, the team is also working on the application of the method in heart and lung transplantation.
The potential win of the Startup-Impuls start-up competition will be used to further advance research. "Our vision is transplant medicine in which patients can live without side effects and with a higher survival rate," says founder Moritz Wüstefeld.
Allogenetics stands for a future in which organ transplants are safer, more effective and better for patients' lives.
Contact:
Allogenetics GmbH
Moritz Wüstefeld
Phone: +49 151 59019179
E-mail: moritz.wuestefeld@allogenetics.com
Website: www.allogenetics.de