Smart City solutions from Munich, the startup hub. The City of Munich and UnternehmerTUM aim to bring together startups, creatives, entrepreneurs, and the public in a new startup and innovation center. The location: the creative quarter at Leonrodplatz. The City Council will vote on the project on February 16.
Startup location Munich: Strong medium-sized businesses, specialists from the two universities of excellence and the universities of applied sciences, and an active investor scene. No other city has more DAX companies headquarteredAnd now: A startup and innovation center in the heart of the city. Susanne Klatten, founder and main shareholder of UnternehmerTUM GmbH, Munich's mayor for business Josef Schmid, and Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner presented their plan to media representatives today.
The joint project of the city and UnternehmerTUM will be a meeting place for international teams working on the topic of smart cities. The special feature here is the UnternehmerTUM support program. Forty international startups are to be established. To be included, the young entrepreneurs must prevail in an international competition. A tremendous opportunity: In the new innovation hub, ambitious startup talents will come into contact with Munich's "old economy," creative professionals, scientists, urban planners, and the public. The shared vision: technological solutions for the "smart city" of the future. Susanne Klatten at the press conference:
“The special location in the creative quarter creates a creative environment that Attraction for national and international partners from business, science and the startup scene.”
City provides land, UnternehmerTUM know-how and financial resources
Starting in 2017, the site of the former Luitpold Barracks at Leonrodplatz will be transformed into 10,000 square meters of office and event space, coworking spaces, and a maker space. Planned opening: 2019. The state capital is providing the land on a long-term lease and the connections into the city. UnternehmerTUM will contribute its leading European expertise and networks and will cover the costs of construction and operation of the new building. Josef Schmid says:
“Munich startups need a place in Heart of the city, which connects them with all the key players. Munich needs innovative companies that will work with us to develop the city of the future. The construction of a new center helps so both the city and the companies.“
At the press conference, Schmid also emphasized the importance of Munich Startup: The official startup portal for Munich makes the city's scene visible. According to Schmid, young founders provide impetus for the entire Munich economy:
“The creatives are the Engine of innovation, which is another reason why the new center is perfectly located in the creative quarter."
Beyond economic aspects, the new start-up center fulfills another function for Schmid:
“Here, experts and society should discuss the use of new technologies for a humane and livable city reflect."
The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs will support the project. Minister Ilse Aigner:
“The new innovation and start-up center creates Space for creativity and innovationThis will further strengthen Bavaria as a startup region. Our measures in the area of digitalization and technology promotion can also be used for projects on the topic of 'Smart City' can be used."
The next steps
First, the city council must approve the project on February 16. The next steps will involve developing a detailed concept and approaching other potential partners. Munich's municipal utility company has already expressed its willingness to collaborate on the new Munich startup center.
