OUT OF THE BOX.NRW

🎄 Season's Greetings to Our Wonderful Community! 🎄 As the year draws to a close, we want to extend our warmest wishes to all of you for a joyous holiday season. May your days be filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments with your nearest and dearest. Take this time to relax, recharge, and reflect on the incredible journey we've shared together. We are grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm as we work towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in North Rhine-Westphalia. And here's a little wink 😉 for all the tech startups out there: If you were founded between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, and are based in NRW, why not add one more thing to your holiday to-do list? Apply for the OOTB.NRW Startup Awards! After all, what better gift could you give yourself than the opportunity to shine on a grand stage? Merry XMAS! #HappyHolidays #ootbnrw #startupawards #innovation #entrepreneurship #NRWStartups #mwike #foundersfoundation #nrwbank #techstartup #startupcommunity  #MerryXmas

Die Bewerbungsphase für den OUT OF THE BOX.NRW Award 2025 startet! Euer Start-up ist nach dem 01.01.2022 gegründet, hat seinen Sitz in NRW und basiert auf einem digitalen Geschäftsmodell? Dann seid ihr hier genau richtig! Aus allen Bewerbungen wird gemeinsam mit den Top Investor:innen eine “Top25 in 2025” Liste erstellt, die die besten Start-ups NRWs auf den Radar bringt! Anschließend entscheidet das NRW Start-up-Ökosystem, welche Top10 Start-ups am 5. Juni auf der Hinterland of Things Konferenz pitchen dürfen. Unter den mehr als 2.500 Besucher:innen werden Start-up-Expert:innen und viele Top-Voices sein. Wirtschaftsministerin Mona Neubaur: „Liebe Start-ups, mit neuen Denkansätzen, technologischem Fortschritt und viel Mut stärkt ihr die Innovationskraft Nordrhein-Westfalens. Mit dem OUT OF THE BOX.NRW würdigen wir dieses großartige Engagement. Wir möchten eure kreative Ideen fördern, euch eine Bühne bieten und euch bei der Vernetzung mit etablierten Unternehmen und Investor:innen unterstützen – für die digitale und nachhaltige Transformation unseres Landes. Liebe Gründerinnen und Gründer, nutzt Eure Chance: Bewerbt Euch jetzt für den Wettbewerb 2025 und zeigt uns, wie Ihr Wandel aktiv mitgestaltet.“ THE GRAND FINALE: Jury und Publikum stimmen am 5. Juni live vor Ort ab, welche drei Start-ups ein Preisgeld von 50.000 Euro von der NRW.BANK erhalten! Wir sind gespannt auf die besten Start-ups unseres Landes! Hier gehts lang zur Bewerbung: www.ootb.nrw

Why apply? Here are 6 reasons why you should not miss to apply for the #OOTBNRW award, the latest destination for innovative startups from NRW ready to reshape the digital world. 1. Visibility and Honor: More than 2.500 participants joined the Hinterland of things conference 2024, where the TOP10 pitches and the finals happened. The number of participants is growing and so are the people seeing your pitch and get to know your startup. 2. Win money: A total of €50,000, sponsored by the NRW.BANK, will go to the Top Three finalists. First place wins €25,000, second place is rewarded with €15,000 and third place gets €10,000. 3. Welcome to the club: As you reach the TOP25 of 2025 you are part of the OOTB.NRW list and get access to a lot of benefits including pitch training, workshops, networking events and many more. Your startup will be part of the booklet presenting the TOP25 startups of 2025. 4. Reputation and Credibility: Winning or even just reaching the finals of OOTB.NRW can enhance your startup's credibility and serve as a mark of quality to customers and partners. 5. Feedback: As an OOTB.NRW participant you will receive constructive feedback from our experienced judges, which can help you refine your business model or strategy. 6. Unparalleled Event Experience: The Hinterland of Things offers a one-of-a-kind event experience that is unmatched in the industry. As one of the leading tech conferences for B2B entrepreneurship in Germany, we provide attendees with a unique platform to engage with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and explore innovative solutions that can drive their businesses forward. The immersive experience ensures that every participant leaves feeling inspired, informed, and ready to take on new challenges in the ever-evolving tech landscape. And guess what? Ticketsale started NOW! 🫵 You want to enter the Hinterland stage as a winner? Then don’t forget to apply: If your startup was founded in 2022, 2023 or 2024 and is based on a digital business model. **The OOTB.NRW award was initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes NRW MWIKE) and is proudly hosted by Founders Foundation gGmbH .** #ootbnrw #startuppitch #startup #techstartup #hinterlandofthings #foundersfoundation #startupcompetition #innovateNRW #futuretech 

🌟 Are you ready for your application? If your startup is based in NRW, was founded between 01.01.2022 and 31.12.2024, and has an innovative digital business model, then you're ready for the OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW Award and should not miss to apply now! If you’re worried about all the information and data you'll need, we can can help you with this checklist. See what you need and keep our tips in mind, when you click on the following link and start your OOTB.NRW journey: ✅ Pitch Deck: Include a comprehensive pitch deck that leaves no questions unanswered. This is crucial for analysts to evaluate your potential thoroughly. Ensure it covers key elements like Product/Solution Overview, Business Model, Growth Strategy, Addressable Market, and Team Composition. Remember, there is no possibility of revision or subsequent submission after the deadline. ✅ Your Logo is important because it serves as the visual representation of your brand and helps leave a lasting impression on potential investors or partners. It contributes to the recognition and professionalism of your presentation. ✅ Team Photo: Make sure your photo is high-quality and professional. This image represents your startup and will be visible to the public and the jury who can vote you into the next rounds. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words… ✅ Short Description of Your Business Model: Craft a clear and engaging description that highlights your unique value proposition. Keep it concise but informative to capture interest quickly. Submit your application now and take your startup to the next level! **The OOTB.NRW award was initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes NRW MWIKE) and is proudly hosted by Founders Foundation gGmbH Foundation.** #ootbnrw #startuppitch #startup #techstartup #hinterlandofthings #foundersfoundation #startupcompetition #innovateNRW #futuretech  

🌟 Here we go again: We’re open for applications! 🌟 We are thrilled and honored at the same time to announce that we’re open for applications again. Feels like just a few more weeks until we will once again be part of the prestigious Hinterland of Things event! Until February 28th we’re happy to receive your applications and meet all you innovative startups and brilliant minds behind them. We're looking forward to discovering the many exciting ideas that will shape the future. The award was initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes NRW MWIKE) and is proudly hosted by Founders Foundation gGmbH . Today marks the opening of applications for the Out of the Box (OOTB.NRW) startup competition 2025 and the start of this year's entrepreneurial journey. Let us guide you through the big Milestones of the OOTB.NRW award: 🚀 MAKE THE LIST OF TOP25 in 2025  Out of all applications, a committee of NRW’s top VCs will hand-select the “Top 25 in 2025” list of NRW’s startups and put them on the radar! We’re teaming up with VCs such as HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds, coparion, Cusp Capital and more! 🗳️ CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE TOP 10  We need ALL OF YOU to vote for the Top 10 and give them a chance to win €50k – thanks to NRW.BANK – and pitch in front of an audience of more than 2,500 attendees at Hinterland of Things. Among them will be top voices from the startup scene and prominent figures from the German tech scene! 𝗡𝗢𝗪: 𝗜𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗣 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗪𝗜𝗡? The call for applications starts TODAY! The criteria are simple: 1️⃣ Your startup is based in NRW 2️⃣ Your startup was founded within the past 3 years 3️⃣ Your startup focuses on digital processes, services or business models Follow the OUT OF THE BOX.NRW LinkedIn Account to stay tuned for even more exciting news! #ootbnrw #startuppitch #startup #techstartup #hinterlandofthings #foundersfoundation #startupcompetition #innovateNRW #futuretech

🚀 OWL Startup Monitor 2024 – Die Region wächst trotz wirtschaftlicher Herausforderungen! 🚀 Gemeinsam mit dem Startup-Verband präsentieren wir den OWL Startup Monitor 2024! 🌱 Der Monitor zeigt, wie Startups in Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) auch in wirtschaftlich schwierigen Zeiten als wichtige Wirtschafts- und Innovationstreiber fungieren. Trotz wirtschaftlicher Unsicherheit ist die Gründungsdynamik in OWL stark – 2024 verzeichnen wir einen Anstieg von 28 % bei den Gründungen im Vergleich zum Vorjahr! 🚀 Aktuell gibt es 320 aktive Startups in der Region, mit einem besonderen Fokus auf Bielefeld und Paderborn. Stärken unserer Region, die der Monitor aufzeigt: Aufwärtstrend: Nach einem schwierigen Jahr 2023 geht es wieder aufwärts – Ein Plus von 28% an Gründungen! 🚀 Unser Ökosystem mit über 200 neuen Startups seit 2019 wächst weiter. Unternehmertradition: ¾ der Gründer:innen entscheiden sich noch vor ihrem Berufsstart zu gründen. Ein früher Kontakt zum Unternehmertum ist in unserer Region besonders stark ausgeprägt. 📈 Mittelstand: Neun von zehn Gründer:innen bewerten die Vernetzung im Ökosystem und mit etablierten Unternehmen als sehr gut – ein klarer Beweis für die starke Zusammenarbeit zwischen Startups und den mittelständischen Unternehmen der Region. 🤝 Netzwerk: 76 % der Startups erhalten Unterstützung von Hochschulen – das Hochschulnetzwerk bleibt ein wichtiger Innovationstreiber in OWL. 61 % der studierten Gründer:innen haben ihren Abschluss in OWL erlangt 👩🎓 Doch es gibt natürlich auch Herausforderungen: Frauen in der Gründung: Der Startup-Gründerinnenanteil in der Region beträgt nur 15 % und gerade bei Investments sind Frauen unterrepräsentiert 🚺 Kapitallücke: 81 % der Gründer:innen greifen auf Eigenersparnisse zurück, da externe Investitionen nach wie vor unterrepräsentiert sind. 💰 Danke für euren Input Dominik Gross (Founders Foundation gGmbH ) Verena Pausder (Startup-Verband) und Alena Kuhlmeier (Teuto Seed Club). Link zum gesamten Monitor im ersten Kommentar! ↙️ #OWL #FoundersFoundation #StartupMonitor #Innovation #Gründung #StartupEcosystem #Investitionen #Netzwerk #Hochschulen #Wagniskapital #Zukunftgestalten

🔊NRW Startups: Are you ready to Shine? Is your startup less than three years old, based in NRW and built on a digital business model? Then you're in the right place! We're excited to announce that applications for the OOTB.NRW 2025 competition will open soon. Be ready to submit your application starting December 4th! We’re already looking forward to June 5th where the finals happen at the Hinterland of Things Conference. Alongside prestige, there's a prize pool of 50k sponsored by NRW.BANK. The #OOTB.NRW award is initiated by the Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes NRW (MWIKE), sponsored by NRW.Bank and proudly hosted by Founders Foundation gGmbH. We can't wait to discover the best startups our region has to offer. Don't miss out—apply now and follow OOTB.NRW to stay updated! 🚀 #outofthebox #foundersfoundation #hinterland25 #startups #top25startups #pitch #OOTBNRW

🪄Relive the Magic of OUT OF THE BOX.NRW 2024 and learn from the best! At the Hinterland of Things Conference 2024, we not only explored exciting topics and heard from inspiring minds, but also celebrated the first-ever finale of the OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW awards in Bielefeld. In front of more than 2,500 attendees, the 10 finalists pitched their ideas and connected with investors, media, and fellow startups and entrepreneurs. What an incredible day it was for all of us! The video featuring the three winners and their final pitches, which earned them prize money totaling 50,000€, is now live on the Hinterland of Things YouTube channel. If you haven't seen it yet, don't miss out! We're already looking forward to Hinterland of Things 2025 on June 5th and can't wait for another round of amazing pitches from the OUTOFTHEBOX.NRW finalists. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated and relive these unforgettable moments! 🎥✨ #Hinterland24 #OOTBNRW #startups #pitchperfect #Entrepreneurshipnrw 

🛫 OOTB.NRW Founders Take Off with Personal Branding! As part of the OOTB.NRW competition, our female founders had the opportunity to attend an exclusive workshop at the Founders Foundation gGmbH Foundation, hosted by Antonia Munte. Yasemin Kesti from JoBooking, Brigitte Dworak from Modulu and Melina Panzner from Lexie delved deep into the topic "How to Master Personal Branding and Leverage Communication Skills." Antonia shared her expertise from working with renowned founders like Lea-Sophie Cramer, Verena Pausder, Julia Bösch and our Hinterland of things Host Celine Flores Willers to help participants craft their communication strategies authentically and purposefully. After the workshop, Yasemin reflected on the valuable shift in perspective provided by the new insights and emphasized the importance of a conscious brand presence for founders. A heartfelt thank you to all participants for their commitment and openness and to Antonia who offered this great opportunity for our OOTB.NRW participants! We look forward to observing the development of their strong personal brands. 🚀💼  #OOTBNRW #Personalbranding #Femalefounders #Entrepreneurshipnrw

🌿 Voltfang all the way up! Once again, we are thrilled to share incredible news from our second-place winner of 2024, Voltfang. Following their impressive journey to the USA, they have now successfully closed their Series A financing round, raising €8.1 million incl. €800k in secured grants. 🚀 This major milestone will allow the team to expand their product offerings and further solidify their position as pioneers in green energy infrastructure. Congratulations to Afshin Doostdar, Roman Alberti, David Oudsandji and the entire Voltfang team! Your progress inspires us and demonstrates how sustainable innovations are shaping the future. We are so proud! #Voltfang #Greenenergy #Sustainableinnovation #alumnistories #ootbnrwalumni #ootbnrw