StartUP Factory at BioPark Regensburg

The Digital Startup Initiative Upper Palatinate (DGO) initiated its Startup Factory at the BioPark Regensburg this year. The first startup weekend had already taken place in the cathedral city in 2015. In the weekend workshop (54 hours) there is a focus on innovative product ideas, exchange between specialists and the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Researchers, designers, software developers, business and marketing experts come together to work together in teams on business ideas.  The participants were able to attract fellow competitors with their ideas on Friday evening or take part in challenges from the sponsors (Krones, Techniker Krankenkasse and Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen). At the end of the weekend the goal was the development of a so-called minimum viable product – including client validation, market research and business model development. Experienced mentors and coaches stood at the sides of the participants as they put these tasks into action during the weekend.

 

It became exciting on late  Sunday afternoon, when the seven teams presented their results to a renowned specialist jury. The most convincing was from Team “Bill.e”, which with their App for a digital receipt not only took first prize but also the special prize from the jury. They are able to enjoy professional trademark branding or strategic patent analysis to the value of 1,000 Euro, funded by the BioPark, the marketing agency Bauer.com and the patent attorneys Dehmel & Bettenhausen as well as an office rent-free for six months at TechBase.

 

The technology and startup centers TechBase and BioPark Regensburg execute the Startup Factory together with partners such as the IHK, Municipal Business Development as well as OTH and Regensburg University. The startup weekend was made financially viable by the four main sponsors Continental, Krones, Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen and Techniker Krankenkasse.