Exciting innovations, interesting discussions, and new contacts—at the networking event "Startup Meets Crafts," both participants and exhibitors enjoyed an informative evening focusing on two questions: How can the skilled trades utilize innovative approaches? And how can startups adapt their solutions or products to the skilled trades?
A Thursday in the middle of the turbulent pre-Christmas period. Nevertheless, around 60 participants and 11 startups in the evening in the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) for Munich and Upper BavariaThe first network meeting “Startup meets Handwerk” is coming up. It was jointly organized by Munich Startup and the Munich Chamber of Crafts and Trades with the aim of connecting both sides and creating space for potential synergies. Because innovation and tradition can benefit from each other, Technology and innovation consultant Georg Räß from the HWK:
"In this age of digital transformation, startups are often THE drivers of innovation. The idea was therefore to invite startups from the greater Munich area whose innovative solutions could be of interest to the skilled trades. So, the primary focus was on providing information about the latest technological trends relevant to the skilled trades."
Startups prepare crafts for the digital revolution
The official part of the evening begins with welcoming remarks from Dr. Hartwig von Bülow on behalf of the Chamber of Crafts and Trades. Gabriele Böhmer, editor-in-chief of Munich Startup, also welcomes the guests and emphasizes in her brief address how important it is for skilled trades businesses to prepare for the digital revolution. The innovative approaches of the startups present can help with this process.
The participants will be particularly attentive when innovation consultant Räß from Digitalbonus.Bavaria reported: A funding program of the Free State of Bavaria, which is intended to provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises in particular in the digitalization of their operations.
Entertaining evening, satisfied participants
Afterwards, the startups will have their say: In short presentations, they will pitch their product or service and explain how it could be of interest to craft businesses. Many startups will then use the relaxed networking session, complete with craft beer and bread rolls, to ask questions of their own: How can their innovation be made even more exciting for the craft sector, what needs do this target group have, and what application examples are there?
After an entertaining evening, the participants were also satisfied. Rene Breyer from the Zausinger GmbH means, for example:
"In my role as Head of Marketing at a medium-sized electrical engineering company, I'm always curious to learn what the future might hold. Events like this one are, of course, perfect for that."
Exhibitors have also provided similarly positive feedback. In this sense, one can be sure that this won't be the last "Startup Meets Crafts" networking event.
