21st start-up competition: Startup-Impuls honors Hannover's best business ideas

Hanover, March 14, 2024Doyou also happen to have a dog that barks every time the doorbell rings? One of the award-winning business ideas in the 21st Startup-Impuls start-up competition can help! The business models of the prizewinners in Hanover have huge potential.
The guests at the 21st award ceremony at Sparkasse Hannover were able to see this for themselves. With prizes worth more than 100,000 euros, the winners are now really taking off with their business ideas.

Karolin Gaßmann and Stephanie Höfer, two experienced managers and mothers, won the"Team-Start"award. WithheyParents- the digital guide for family-friendliness in companies - they want to fundamentally improve the corporate culture in Germany. Since the launch of the innovative digital platform at the beginning of this year, which provides tailored support for everyone involved, the first companies are already using the service.heyParents will receive25,000 euros in prize money for its innovation, which aims to bring family-friendliness to companies.

The"Solo-Start"award is aimed at anyone who is starting out on their own. In this case, solo refers to the number of founders - not the number of employees. The award for "Best Founder" went to the passionate vet and dog trainer Dr.Tamara Sherif, who uses DOGGYBELLto solve the everyday problem of many dog owners outlined at the beginning: every time the doorbell rings, her invention gives out treats so that dogs learn to react positively to the doorbell without barking.

FinnBorchers was named "Best Founder". His virtual psychotherapist Statsyis already being used in the prototype stage in 15 countries! Both won prize money of 25,000 euros each.

The"Hochschul-Start"prize, supported by Gehrke Econ, is primarily aimed at start-up projects at an early idea stage by students, institutes and departments at universities and universities of applied sciences, non-university research institutions and academic staff in the Hannover region. First place went to the team fromINLEAPPhotonics, also with 25,000 euros in prize money, plus individual consulting services worth up to 8,000 euros provided by Gehrke Econ.INLEAP Photonics hasdeveloped a new laser technology that speeds up the production of high-tech products such as photovoltaic modules by a factor of six to ten. What used to take perhaps 12 hours becomes a maximum of 2 hours or, with a factor of 10, even just 1.2 hours! The solution can be easily integrated into existing systems.

All nominated teams and solo starters were also rewarded with a professional image clip for their company and extensive pitch training worth a total of 1,500 euros each. In addition, all winners will receive a six-month resident membership of competition partner Hafven, while the nominees will receive a six-month community membership.

Once again this year, Hannover Marketing & Tourismus GmbH has awarded aspecialmarketingprize witha total value of around 5,000 euros to finance marketing measures. The winner is RonjaNickel withher event app"Was geht". The Hanoverian wants to make the city's diverse range of experiences visible to everyone in a smart and tailored way and already has almost 26,000 followers on Instagram: a top foundation to really take off in the market.

Innovation hotspot: many great ideas have their roots in Hanover

Startup-Impuls isone of the most highly endowed regional start-up competitions in Germany - and in its 21st year once again proves that Hannover is a sought-after hotspot for founders in Germany. Even in times of economic uncertainty, the business ideas submitted show that Hannover's "start-up ecosystem" is well positioned and that the many years of dedicated work by all those involved in the local start-up scene continue to bear impressive fruit. "The large number of really top-class high-tech offerings for the market is inspiring," enthusesDorisPetersen, Managing Director of hannoverimpuls GmbH, and is delighted with this special sign of the vibrant start-up scene in Hanover: "We have real power here!"

Marina Barth, Deputy CEO of Sparkasse Hannover, emphasizes: "Even though times are really challenging: This competition demonstrates the creativity and energy in our regional start-up scene. This should make us all proud - and optimistic. I am particularly impressed that the award-winning business models all have a tangible practical benefit. Our company will certainly be looking into the "heyParents" app, because we are very keen to achieve a good work-life balance."

"Today we have seen the launch of business models that could make international history, just like Emil Berliner's vinyl record. The diversity and relevance of the award-winning business ideas are outstanding, and the potential for the regional and even global economy is huge," enthuses MayorBelit Onay. He was today's prize sponsor in the "Solo Start-up: Best Female Founder" category.

Regional President Steffen Krach, today's award sponsor in the "Solo Start-up: Best Founder" category, added: "Startup-Impuls is a competition that radiates beyond the borders of the Hannover Region. In the 21st edition, the founders have once again shown the innovative spirit of the young people here. This gives me real hope for Hannover as a business location and also fills me with a little pride. Many thanks to all participants for so much creativity and entrepreneurial spirit."

The award winners

They all impressed with their business ideas and solutions. These are the winners who convinced the jury (hannoverimpuls, Sparkasse Hannover and external start-up experts):

Team Start" prize

Winner nominations

heyParents TareTag GmbH

Vendovu

WG Match UG

Solo Start" award: Best female founder

Winner nominations

DOGGYBELL, Dr. Tamara Sherif BrALI CoWorkation Retreats

Solo Start" award: Best founder

Winner nominations

Statsy - Virtual Companion, Finn Borchers Hannobility

Prize"University Start"

Winner nominations

INLEAP Photonics GmbH Bacta Implants

YcoLabs

HMTG special marketing prize

Ronja NickelWhat's up