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How can startups and city administration work together to drive innovation? That’s what the City Demo Day is about. In episode 85 of the Munich Startup Podcast, we speak with Anna Fischer about how the Landeshauptstadt München brings this format to life and why a startup should definitely participate.
Bringing innovation culture to the city and urban society
At the Munich City Demo Day, there are interactive sessions, workshops, and an exhibition of startups, partners from the ecosystem, and city programs that are helpful for startups. The “black box” administration is opened up through this format, as Fischer explains from minute 3:38 onwards. Ultimately, “good, fast solutions” from startups for urban challenges should be more easily accessible to the administration. At the same time, the event aims to promote founders’ understanding of the challenges involved in collaborating with administrations, as well as what the path to a first project can look like.
At the first meeting in May, the focus was on energy and nutrition. You can learn what the format looks like in detail and who startups will meet there from minute 5:45 onwards. One example is the Venture Clienting model of Munich’s public transport company (MVG), which was presented at the event (minute 8:35) and will also be a topic at the next event.
City Demo Day: great spirit, intensive dialogue
How long does it take before implementation happens when a company wants to sell a product to the city? We discuss this from minute 12:50 onwards. And we also explain why the Demo Day is rather positioned at a stage before that, and how important it is to be in dialogue early on. From minute 16:40, Anna Fischer names three reasons why a startup should definitely participate in the event. Those directly interested in pilot projects with the Landeshauptstadt München will find an excellent point of contact with the city’s innovation competition.
The next City Demo Day on November 13 has “mobility” as its theme. How is the day planned, who is involved, and what’s it about? You’ll find out from minute 18:30 onwards. Here’s a preview: the Department of Mobility is a partner. And the International Building Exhibition (IBA) is also an important topic. Because the IBA is also looking for ideas from startups, especially in the field of mobility (the first submission deadline for the IBA is October 15).
Application for mobility startups for pitching or exhibition by email to citydemoday@studio-stadt-region.de by September 30, 2024. Applications should include a brief description of the startup (1-2 sentences) as well as an explanation of why the startup wants to participate and what expectations it has for cooperation with the city (2-3 sentences).
More information about the City Demo Day is available on the website of Munich Business, the economic development agency of the city of Munich.
